The Red House-A Century of Stories and Blessings
The Red House celebrates its 100th anniversary this year since it’s completion in 1908. The Red House was constructed during Japan rule and it had been submerged in different cultures from Japan, China and various western cultures. It was first constructed as a public market for common people. In ‘40s and ‘50s, The Red House has gathered different cultural industries from China and in ‘60s, it has become a portal to access western civilization and ideology and represented as a melting pot for culture, commerce and history. The Red House in its 100 years still possessing a style and significance that is avant-garde, modern, novel and diverse.
Searching the past, we see that Red House has been a meeting point for Japanese,
Chinese and Western cultures. It has evolved along with the Ximen area over time,
and as a center for entertainment for people of all ages, it serves as a window
on Taiwan culture. In its early days, it imported and created fashions and was a
source of economic activity, serving as a main focal point for Taiwan’s business
development. Looking to the future, Red House represents a coexistence and pride
found in its mixture of old and new, in which history, culture and business merge.
It is a landmark that will supersede even its own glorious past.
Histort of The Red House
1908
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The Red House Octagonal Display Hall-- The Red House constrution completed and Ximending has became the reserved migrating area for Japanese people. It became the entertainment center for Wanhua, Dadaocheng, and Chengnei due to its flourishing developments.
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1945
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After the Japanese suffered defeat in world war Ⅱ. Large numbers of Mainland
Chinese immigrants settled in Taiwan with the KMT government, which marked the
beginning of a glorious history for The Red House Theater. The immigrants found
comfort in Huyuan Beijing Opera, The Red house talk show and drama.
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1963
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The Red House Movie Theater was popular among westernized youngsters. Black
& white martial arts movies, second-run cinema (western films), local costume films, etc. were shown at The Red House Movie Theater.
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1994
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“Red Chamber Dream: Ximen” showcase events created new opportunities.
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1997
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The Red House was proclaimed as a Class III Historical Site. The Red House
Movie Theater closed down later the same year.
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2000
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Cruciform Building and buildings in violation of ordinances at South-North Square
burned down. The post-disaster development turned over a new leaf for The Red House.
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2002
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Paper Windmill Arts Foundation was involved in “The Red House Theater
Historical Site Rebuilding.”
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Nov. 2007
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The Taipei Culture Foundation was commissioned to operate The Red
House; later, it was transformed into a must-visit landmark in the tourist-packed
Ximending area.
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2008
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The century-old Red House received “Best Historical Site Revitalization" project at the 7th Taipei Urban Landscape Award. The Red House hosts handicraft market every weekend to provide an emerging opportunity for business owners in Cultural and Creative Industry and allow a face-to-face interaction with consumers.
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2010
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The Red House Tea Shop began operations as an independent dining space, with
the newly introduced Cradle of Cultural Creative Dreamer lending a refreshing touch
of arts to the entire building.
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2014
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In 2014, The Red House partnered with Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in a cross-venue and cross-district collaboration to launch the “Goodsmarket for Art and Craft”. The new marketplace offers an alternative development platform for cultural and creative workers in addition to The Red House.
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2015
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Cruciform Building went on a year’s renovation and The Creative Boutique, a creative business incubator, received a makeover and revealed its new look in the end of 2015. The revamping concept was to restore Taiwan’s first marketplace and grocery bazaar with a modern touch. The revamped Creative Boutique provides local cultural and creative labels with retail spaces in an aesthetically unique mall setting in Taipei’s west end.
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2016
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The Octagon Building was closed for the largest-scale renovation in the last 100 years.
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2017
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For the first time, the Taipei Lantern Festival was held in the west side of the City with its main theme lantern being displayed on the square of Ximending’s Red House, attracting numerous international visitors.
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2018
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The century-old Red House is officially reopened with its prosperity revived by repositioning itself as the welcoming reception area of Taipei’s west side.
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