Located in the heart of Taipei city, Taiwan, Huashan Creative Arts Park was built in 1914. As one of the oldest and most well preserved structures in Taiwan, Huashan Creative Arts Park was once Taiwan’s largest wine producing factory during the 1920’s. After relocation of the wine factory in the late 1980’s, the factory was abandoned for almost a decade before the government started to make changes on land authorities and plans to rebuild the area. It all started by a group of artists and performers stumbled into the abandoned factory and started staging plays, restoring a small section of the abandoned halls. Their experimental performances and intriguing choice of venue quickly caught the attention of local law enforcement and the group was promptly cited for trespassing. This minor act of excessive enthusiasm however, was just the beginning.

Soon after, local artists became drawn to the open spaces, high ceilings and abundant natural light. Art and literary giants from across Taipei began using the factory as an inspirational work space, giving performances and leaving their distinctive mark on the structures themselves. This became huge within the industry and in 1999, the Association of Culture Environment Reform Taiwan, a non-profit organization, was established to oversee the restoration of the factory into a fully fledged arts center. The factory was then renamed to Huashan Creative Park and rebuilding of the park was officially started in 2005.

In 2007, the Taiwan Cultural-Creative Development Co. Ltd assumed responsibility for the renovation and operation of the Park and renamed it Huashan 1914. An organically creative environment has been growing ever since. Huanshan 1914 now serves as Taipei’s primary creative arts center and a hosting ground for Taiwan’s most significant cultural activities, including the “Simple Life” music festival and the “BiBo” student design expo. Today, Huashan 1914 is not only the heart of Taiwan’s creative pulse, but also a bridge to a unique architectural past.