Taipei｜Ten-row Red Brick Houses: The First Arcade Records the Century-old Elegance of Dihua Street

In 1912, during the Japanese colonial era, the government promoted the transformation of traditional mud houses into two-story red brick buildings. These row houses not only created a neat street layout but also improved residential safety. The ten-row houses are a testament to the mixed-use residential and commercial lifestyle of the time. These houses were owned by six prominent families and housed five rice milling factories and a sewing thread factory. The first section served as storefronts, showcasing the prosperity of Dihua Street, while the second section was residential, and the rear housed factory areas. However, after World War II, with food being regulated by the Food Bureau and distributed under a rationing system, rice milling factories gradually faded away. As urban development surged, the once-thriving ten-row houses inevitably aged. After discussions among the six families, they decided to preserve the facade of the first section to honor their ancestors' entrepreneurial struggles. The land of the second and third sections was redeveloped into modern buildings, making this area a prime example of Taipei's blend of old and new architecture. The restored facade, featuring Baroque-style arches and carvings, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of a century ago. Today, it has been transformed into cafes and tea houses, continuing to welcome visitors from all over. 📍Address: No. 362, Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City, 103 🚗 MRT Daqiaotou Station, 10-minute walk