The former Japanese-era building of Taipei Lin Department Store re-emerges with new charm

Text / Compiled and reported by the editorial department of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network

The historic building "Lin Department Store" in Tainan, which has long been a focal point, was once the second department store in Taiwan. After years of weathering, it was renovated and completed in mid-2013 and reopened on June 14, 2014. The cultural and creative venture "Gaocing Fashion Co., Ltd." invested by Gaocing Development took over the operations and maintenance. Gaocing also operates Focus Square, a fashion hub that is a popular destination for young consumers in Tainan. Lin Department Store marks a new starting point for Gaocing Fashion Co., Ltd. in fostering local culture and developing the cultural and creative industry. It is also part of Tainan's urban industrial development, injecting fresh vision while integrating local characteristics and talent to create a new cultural window for Tainan and a new platform for cultural and creative consumption.

Lin Department Store (Japanese: ハヤシ百货), commonly called "Five-Storey Building" (Gō-X-chàn-lâu-á) by locals in Tainan, was invested in by Japanese businessman Lin Fangyi. On the opening day, Lin Fangyi’s second daughter-in-law, Ms. Lin Qianhuizi, then 93 years old, came to Taiwan to attend the opening ceremony and personally experienced the charm of the building. The grandson of the building’s architect, Masuzawa Setsujirō, also attended the event, along with former employees of Lin Department Store who shared nostalgic memories, making the occasion deeply moving.

The architecture of Lin Department Store is the largest among the shop-house complex built by the "Shokai Jutaku Sokusen Kai" (Shop and Residence Rapid Construction Association) in Suemitsu Town. At six stories high, it was an exceptionally tall building at the time. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 30, 1931 (Showa 6), with construction officially starting on December 14, designed by Masuzawa Setsujirō, who was then the local engineer of Tainan Prefecture and head of the Tainan Prefecture branch of the Taiwan Architecture Association, with construction led by Tamura Sakutarō. The building was completed in less than a year.

The interior facilities of the building were quite modern and eye-catching at the time. Lin Department Store was equipped with what was then a rare elevator (Taiwanese: 流笼 liúlóng), hand-cranked metal rolling shutters, and the rooftop still retains the shrine "Suemitsu Shrine" that Lin Department Store built in 1933.