Although it may appear out of time and out of place, the Red House (西門紅樓) has been an anchor for the Ximen area and bustling shopping streets that have grown up around it over the past 100 years. Its name owing to the instantly recognizable red brick construction, this octagonal building dates to the early years of the 20th century.
The area now known as Ximending was, during the Japanese colonial period, a residential area for the city's Japanese population. As Taipei grew, so did the need for shopping centers, thus Red House was born as a fashion and goods market.
Later, as power shifted to the relocated Kuomintang (KMT) government and the newly arrived Chinese immigrants, the Red House played a different role as an opera and film theater. Western pictures were screened here, in addition to more traditional Chinese pictures, and would become favorite hangout of the younger generations.
But as development of the city refocused residents' attention elsewhere, the building fell into disuse, and would eventually be heavily damaged in a fire in 2000. After efforts were made to rebuild and revitalize the surrounding area, the Red House regained its former prominence as a centerpiece of Ximending.
Today, the building is a multi-use structure with the first floor used as a cafe and gallery displaying its history. The second floor regularly holds live performances by local bands, and on any given day, you may hear warmup performances in preparation for a lively night show.
Behind the main structure lies a split level indoor market. As an ode to its fashion centric past, the 16 Creative Boutique, as it's known, showcases some of the most imaginative of Taipei's design world. From the recycled computer parts turned jewelry to the retro Taiwanese art accessories, visitors will be hard-pressed to leave empty handed.
Beyond the walls of the Red House sits a row of eateries and shops that by day may seem lethargic, but are downright popping come nightfall. A suggested itinerary is a visit to the Red House in the late afternoon and then skip on over to the bustling shopping streets of Ximending to soak up the vibe of Taipei youth culture.
