A Century-Old Heritage Site Transformed into a Starbucks: The Glamorous Showcase of the Wanhua Lin Mansion in Monga

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

 
After two years of planning, Starbucks Taiwan, following its collaborations with heritage sites and historic buildings at outlets such as the Bao’an and Houbi branches, opened its Monga branch on April 27. The first and second floors of the Wanhua Lin Mansion have been repurposed as the operational space for Starbucks, while the third and fourth floors host a public exhibition dedicated to heritage preservation. On its opening day, the store attracted numerous coffee enthusiasts and history buffs who came to take photos, collect stamps, and purchase the exclusive Monga branch Starbucks mug.

 

The Wanhua Lin Mansion is a city-designated private heritage site. It was completed in 1932 (Showa 7) by a local businessman surnamed Lin and served as the residence of a prominent family during the Japanese colonial period. The building features a distinctive architectural style: its front arcade facade has a centrally aligned entrance flanked by symmetrical columns, while large windows are adorned with simple, clean-lined grids. The overall structure has a unique quadrilateral form, with red plain bricks on the exterior walls complemented by stone finishes at the edges—truly charming. The front wall is decorated with Western-style medallions, and the roof is covered with traditional Japanese black tiles, making it a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Western architectural elements.

The exterior surfaces of the Lin Mansion’s staircases are all finished in terrazzo, with gracefully curved landings that display rich variation. At the back of the building is a small garden, along with recessed balconies on the second and third floors. The balcony edges feature circular cutouts, adding a touch of ingenious and delicate design.