Ximending Red House Introduction
Ximending Red House was built in 1908 by Japanese architect Kondo Juro, consisting of the octagonal building and the cross-shaped building. It is the first officially built public market in Taiwan and is also the oldest well-preserved Level 3 historical monument in the entire island. The octagonal building features an "eight-sided" shape, symbolizing gatherings from all directions as its entrance, while the cross-shaped building serves as the main feature. Together with the North and South Squares adjacent to it, it is collectively known as the "Ximending Red House." The Red House has undergone various roles, including that of a market, bookstore, cinema, and theater. Since 2007, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taipei City Government has entrusted the Taipei Cultural Foundation to operate and manage it, promoting it as a creative cultural platform to achieve the goal of revitalizing the Ximending district. Over more than ten years of operation, it has gradually accumulated cultural and creative energy, becoming an iconic cultural and artistic hub in Taipei City and even Taiwan. The first floor of the octagonal building features a comprehensive exhibition area, dining options, and a marketplace, including the "Red House Tea House" for tea tasting and relaxation, and the "Red House Selection," which curates Taiwan-style goods. The second floor is home to the quaint and elegant performance venue known as "Two-Layer Theater." The cross-shaped building houses the "Ximending Red House Performance Hall" for promoting small-scale creative industries and the exhibition and sales space "16 Workshop." The North and South Squares host diverse cultural experiences, including guided tours, creative talks, workshops, as well as creative markets every weekend and irregular exhibitions in the central area.
