Every brick and tile restored to its former glory — the "Railway Hotel" at Tainan Station makes a historic comeback

▲ The second floor of Tainan Railway Station. (Photo / Provided by Taiwan Railways Administration)

Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan / Taipei reporting

Tainan Station is one of the national historic sites in Taiwan. Constructed in 1900, it has a history of over 100 years. Recently, the Taiwan Railways Administration has launched the “Renovation and Reuse Project of National Historic Site Tainan Railway Station.” The project aims to gradually restore the exterior of the station, with every brick and tile meticulously crafted in an antique design. The railway hotel, restaurant, and café on the second floor of the station will also be restored to their former glory and reopened, allowing visitors to step back in time and rediscover the original charm of this century-old station.

▲ Tainan Railway Station, combining classical and modern architectural elements. (Photo / Reporter Huang Ke-hsiang)

Built in 1900 and officially opened in 1908, Tainan Station underwent renovation in 1936. Along with Taipei Railway Station, it is a large-scale station building from the Japanese colonial period and is designated as a national historic site. The railway hotel located on the second floor of the station features a Baroque architectural style and was once a gathering place for local celebrities and dignitaries. Originally consisting of just nine rooms, it catered to high-end clientele, with each room equipped with a Western-style spring bed. After ceasing operations in 1965, the space was no longer in use. As part of the current restoration plan, the restaurant will also be restored to its original appearance, and the space will be repurposed to include a café. The full renovation is expected to open to the public in August 2019 (108 year, 8th month in Taiwan calendar).

▲ The Baroque-style corridor remains intact, along with the original light fixtures. (Photo / Provided by Taiwan Railways Administration)

With a history of over 100 years, Tainan Station has weathered storms and suffered various structural damages, including issues with water leakage. Although there were repairs in later years, successive layers of repainting obscured the original refined brickwork and tile designs. Recently, in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act and related regulations, Taiwan Railways has initiated the “Renovation and Reuse Project of National Historic Site Tainan Railway Station.” The first phase, the “Station Roof Waterproofing Project,” has already been completed, improving the roof’s waterproofing function and preserving the current condition of the station interior.

▲ A sample menu from the former restaurant. (Photo / Provided by Taiwan Railways Administration)

To restore Tainan Station to its original appearance, Taiwan Railways plans to invest NT$158 million. The scope of the renovation includes the main structure of the station, station offices, platforms, and the police substation. Li Yung-chang, head of the Taiwan Railways' Works Department, stated that the administration has retrieved the original architectural blueprints from the Japanese colonial period to ensure the restoration follows the initial design. Bricks and tiles will be stripped of paint layer by layer to restore their original look, and new bricks will be custom-made in antique styles for any necessary repairs.

The restoration project is expected to take around 36 months. Li Yung-chang noted that the bidding process is currently underway, with construction slated to begin in September this year. Once completed, the station will fully showcase its classic, timeless architectural beauty.

▲ Li Yung-chang, head of the Taiwan Railways Works Department, explains the Tainan Railway Station restoration project. (Video / Reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)