Taipei Story House

In 1913-1914, when Taiwan was under Japan's colonial rule (1895-1945), a prominent tea merchant named Chen Chao-chun constructed this Western style building on the banks of Keelung River, overlooking the scenic forested hill of Yuanshan on the northern edge of Taipei City. The building served as a meeting place for Taipei's local gentry, political figures, and tea merchants.

Since then, the building has gone through many changes. After Taiwan was returned to the ROC government in 1945, it was once used as a residence by Huang Kuo-shu, former President of the Legislative Yuan. It also at one time served as an art gallery.

In 1979, the building was purchased by the Taipei City Government and managed by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. In 1990, it was converted into an artist activity center, a role that it played until 1998 when the Villa was formally designated a historic site and closed down for renovation.

The first floor of this lovely Western-style building is constructed from brick, while the second floor is fashioned in wood. The building's façade is adorned with branching wooden beams, in the style of English Tudor-style architecture. The building's staircase is constructed like a mini-pagoda, its roof fashioned from copper plates, the surfaces of which are discolored with a green patina of age. The area over the entrance is adorned with green, yellow, and red stained glass. Inside the building are lovely fireplaces, as well as hanging lanterns and tiles with floral patterns in bas-relief. These architectural forms are very rarely seen in historical Taiwanese structures.

In 2003, Ms. K.C. Chen, in an effort to promote revival of historical sites, sponsored the formation of Taipei Story House on this site, creating a cultural activity center for Taipei.

The Taipei Story House is located in Chungshan North Road in Taipei City, about 10 minutes walking from the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Visitors can take the Danshui Line of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network and get off at the Yuanshan Station.

Here is an interesting article to read:

• Exhibit offers look at doing business in an earlier era (February 27, 2006)