Ximen Red House

The Ximen Red House was built in 1908 by Japanese architect Kondo Juro. Composed of an Octagon Building and a Cross Building, it was Taiwan's first publicly funded and operated market, and today remains the oldest and most completely preserved municipal heritage building in Taiwan. The Octagon Building's "bagua shape" symbolizes gathering from all directions and serves as its entrance, while the Cross Building's "cross shape" is its main distinguishing feature. These, along with the adjacent North and South Plazas, are collectively known as the "Ximen Red House". The Ximen Red House has served various roles as a market, storytelling hall, cinema, and theater. Since 2007, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government, entrusted the Taipei Culture Foundation with its operation and management. Through promoting it as a creative and cultural platform, the aim was to revitalize the Ximen district. After more than a decade of operation, it has gradually accumulated creative and cultural energy, becoming a landmark creative and artistic hub not only in Taipei City but also throughout Taiwan. The first floor of the Octagon Building houses a comprehensive exhibition space, dining facilities, and a marketplace. Its interior includes "Red House Teahouse" for tea tasting and relaxation, and "Red House Selects" for curating unique Taiwanese style products. The second floor features the "Second Floor Theater", a classic and distinctive professional performance venue. The Cross Building hosts "Riverside Live House Ximen Red House Performing Arts Center", which promotes the development of small-scale creative and cultural industries, and "16 Workshops", a retail exhibition space. Additionally, the North and South Plazas offer diverse cultural experience activities. Besides regular guided tours, creative talks, and handicraft workshops, there are also creative markets every weekend and occasional exhibitions in the central exhibition area.