Introduction
The Former Guangsheng Building was constructed during the late Taisho to early Showa periods in Japanese-occupied Taiwan. Initially intended for use as a cloth shop, it later transformed into a prominent Taiwanese restaurant, becoming part of a notable dining district along present-day Section 2 of Ximen Road, alongside establishments like Zhaoxian Building and Zuixian Pavilion. Due to wartime instability and subsequent financial difficulties, the building was eventually mortgaged. Today, it functions as a clinic and private residence, limiting public access.
Architecturally, the building showcases distinct Western Renaissance aesthetics. Its facade is divided into three sections, adorned with unique thirteen-patterned ceramic tiles. The structure combines brick walls, reinforced concrete beams and columns, wooden horizontal beams, and a copper-tiled roof, exemplifying a composite construction style. Such design blends new and old elements, embodying an eclectic style that is both unique and historically significant.
