All photos are courtesy of Good Eye Taipei.
Taiwan has been under the rule of many different regimes. With each shift in power, part of its architectural heritage has been torn down or repurposed. Shifts in the nation’s economical center also caused once prosperous areas to become uninhabited and desolate.
Fortunately, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in the local culture. Through civilian or governmental efforts, many old houses have been reborn into new businesses or cultural spaces. For example, the “Urban Regeneration Station” (URS) project, launched by the Taipei City Urban Regeneration Office, invites NGOs to revamp and enliven unused spaces.
“Good Eye Taipei,” a new bilingual Taipei city guide, shares six regenerated old spaces in the city to visit.
URS155
No. 155, Section 1, Dihua St, Taipei City.
“Base and kitchen for creative workers.”
Artyard (s)
No. 1, Lane 32, Section 1, Dihua St, Taipei City.
"A cluster of cultural buildings selling artistic and crafty merchandise."
Kishu An Forest of Literature
No. 107, Tong'an St, Taipei City.
"A restaurant transformed into a literary and performance art space that nurtures the soul."
No. 1 Food Theater
No. 2, Alley 3, Lane 346, Section 2, Bade Rd, Taipei City.
"A food cultural space reminiscent of its past as a grain barn."
SPOT-TAIPEI
No. 18, Section 2, Zhongshan N Rd, Taipei City.
"Formerly the American consulate in Taipei, now an art house theater."
Wanhua Lin House
No. 24, Lane 306, Section 1, Xiyuan Rd, Taipei City.
"A merchant’s residence during the Japanese Ruling Era, now Starbucks Coffee."
“Good Eye Taipei” can be purchased at all major bookstores in Taiwan. Check out TNL’s interview with the author here.
Editor: Olivia Yang
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