Taichung City Hall (Former) / Taichung Prefectural Hall

The Taichung City Hall (Shiyakusho) was built during the Japanese colonial period in 1911 (Meiji 44) and was the first building in the Taichung area to employ reinforced concrete technology, giving it great historical and architectural significance. Its overall style follows Western classicism, with the Tatsuno-style red-and-white brick façade standing out as the most distinctive element, bringing a modern urban aesthetic to Taichung at that time. Originally, the building served as the office of the Taichung Public Irrigation Association, and later successively functioned as the City Archives, Press Room, and Bureau of Transportation. It has long been one of Taichung’s most important landmarks and historical symbols. In 2002, the structure was officially designated a Taichung City historic building, making it a protected cultural asset.

The architecture incorporates Baroque Revival elements and exemplifies a large-scale modern government office building. The entrance features a tall, double-height portico with classical Greek Ionic columns, paired with stucco finishes and medallion decorations on the pediment, showcasing rich ornamental detail and symmetrical beauty. The most striking feature is its ornate classical dome, constructed with eight timber trusses, encircled by round dormer windows. This wooden dome design was rare for its time and remains an eye-catching highlight of the building. Structurally, the building combines brickwork, timber, reinforced concrete, and steel, representing the high level of construction technology achieved in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era, and serving as a living example of architectural craftsmanship of its time.

To revitalize this heritage, the Taichung City Government completed research and restoration planning in 2004 and finished restoration in 2016. Following completion, the building was entrusted to private management under the “Promotion of Private Participation Act” (OT model). Today, the building is operated by Hao Yisi Co., Ltd. The first floor houses the “YouYisi Cultural Space,” which includes permanent exhibitions, shared reading and exchange areas, and showcases local industries and handicraft experiences, aiming to promote local culture. On the second floor, there is the Italian restaurant Narratore – The Storyteller, specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, led by chef Lance Lin, who trained at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy. Through food and space, the restaurant connects gastronomy with cultural storytelling.