Dadaocheng Gu Family Mansion Introduction
Located at No. 9, Lane 303, Guizui Street, the Gu Family Salt House was built in 1910 by Gu Xianrong, the father of Gu Zhengfu, the former chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Since the Gu family was engaged in the salt industry at that time, this Gu family mansion has always been referred to as the "Salt House." It faced the Tamsui River wharf, originally built for business purposes, allowing ships to dock directly in front of the house. The Gu family moved out of the mansion in 1961, and in 1963, a kindergarten was established at its current location, which continues to operate today. This building features a distinctive design, modeled after the late Renaissance style of Western architecture, with an arcade in the front, a pale yellow façade made of bricks, elegant arched windows, and glazed decorative railings. The elaborate coat of arms and relief decorations on the central gable at the front reflect the trend of Western influences during that era, representing the homes of wealthy families at the time. Inside the house, the meticulously crafted cypress wood ceilings and stairs have been well preserved, and the walls still bear the markings of the Dahe Trading Company, managed by Gu Xianrong. The Gu Family Salt House not only witnesses the prosperity of the Gu family but also represents a page in the history of Taipei.
