Historical building Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin was constructed for the wedding of Mao-yang Lin and his wife Tuan Lai. Blending Fujianese, Japanese and Wester architecture, such architectural form is extremely rare in Taichung City. Taichung City Government invest approximately NT$ 45 million to restore the building, and the project was completed in May last year. Currently, Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin is being managed by Xiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. on operate –transfer (OT) basis. On the 17th, the building was officially opened to the public under the witness of Mayor Chia-lung Lin and other dignitaries, where the theme of “Historical building serving as testament of love” was adopted to open restaurant, wedding cake bakery, dessert store and independent bookstore etc., thereby introducing romantic new soul to the precious cultural asset.
Dignitaries including Mayor Lin, Director of Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Chih-cheng Wang, Legislator Hsiu-yen Lu, City Councilors You-lien Shen, Chao-jung Tseng, Ya-ling Tsai, Ming-yuen Hsieh, fourth daughter of Mao-yang Lin – Yu-sha Lin, Chairman of Xiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. Yu-you Hsiao and residents of Yide Military Dependents’ Village. Despite the rain, the venue was packed with people, creating a bustling and festive ambiance.
According to Mayor Lin, after restoration by the Taichung City Government, Yide Mansion combines the old with the new. By preserving the historical architectural features and opening it to the public, there is one more cultural spotlight in Taichung City. The unique aspect of Yide Mansion lies in the fact that about 9 decades ago, the wealthy Lin family from Beitun District welcomed the daughter of the Lai family into their home, and the mansion was constructed after the wedding between Mao-yang Lin and Tuan Lai. Subsequently, it was converted into a Military Dependents’ Village, which in turn fell into disuse. After the government’s endeavors in preserving the building, it was restored, revitalized and reused to become today’s cultural spotlight.
He also said that Lin’s descendent and residents of Yide Military Dependents’ Village all attended the opening ceremony to revisit their memories. In the future, Yide Mansion will be managed by Xiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. By integrating the culture & creative industry, the citizens’ exclusive space will become a new check-in spot or new alternative for wedding photos in order to continue the building’s ambiance of happiness. Everyone is welcome to Yide Mansion to appreciate the well-preserved brick building offering a fusion of Fujianese, Japanese and European architecture.
Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin is located on Wenchang E. 11th Street in Beitun District, occupying a space of 1,404.71 square meters. Construction began in 1924 and it was completed in 1928. The person who built the house was Mao-yang Lin the grandson of local gentry Chen-fang Lin in the Shengang District during late Qing Dynasty and the early years of Japanese Occupation Period. He became married to Tuan Lai, the daughter of wealthy gentleman Chang-jung Lai, thereby uniting two influential families in the local region. Mao-yang Lin’s new residence was built near the Lai family residence. In 1925, it was relocated into the family compound and the mansion was constructed on the west side of the compound in 1930.
According to the Cultural Heritage Department of Taichung City, “Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin” has witnessed the development history of Taiwan, while its combination of Fujianese/Japanese wooden building and Japanese contemporary western-style architecture make it extremely valuable in terms of history, culture, architectural history or technological history. In 2007, the City Government registered it as an historic monument under the name of Yide Mansion, but in order to reflect its significance, it was renamed as “Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin” in 2013.
Cultural Heritage Department pointed out that Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin was obstructed by reconstructed buildings and new buildings due to the construction of Yide Military Dependents’ Village, therefore the city government allocated a budget of NT$ 45 million to conduct the restoration project in September 2013. The aim is to remove new and reconstructed buildings in order to restore the original appearance of the historic building, but parts of the military dependents’ village will be retained and used as the borough office. The project was completed in May last year, and now the Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin is being managed by Xiyuan Investment Co., Ltd. on operate –transfer (OT) basis.
Since the building was constructed for the betrothal of Mao-yang Lin and Tuan Lai, Xiyuan wanted to imbue the Former Residence of Mao-yang Lin with a romantic image and hence the theme of “Historical building serving as testament of love” was adopted, inviting wedding cake store, cultural tea restaurant and independent bookstore “Lobsang Books” to open branch stores in the compound. The bookstore was designed with the concept of “Letting go of myself and getting to know you”, while the mansion area features bakery Brownie Patisserie. In conjunction with surrounding parks, the complex offers a brand new leisure and recreational space for the public. In the future, more diverse theme exhibitions will be organized along with other activities such as lectures.