TAINAN OLD HOUSE INN
Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city, is home to the best food in Taiwan, 400-year-old Dutch forts, and countless examples of heritage architecture. The Tainan Old House and Inn is part of a project that was inspired by the tearing down of two historic buildings in 2005. Seeing the city tear down historic buildings in order to make room for new services, owner and operator Kyle Hsieh decided there must be another way. He partnered up with National Cheng Kung University’s architecture department to launch a program which would slowly renovate and reclaim the value of unused historic buildings, and his 60-year old family house, a narrow, multi-level building perched in the alley became the first subject.
His old family home, now known as Tainan Old House Inn has been injected with new life and meaning. Remodeled in a way that preserves its historic interior, the building’s steep staircases, vintage-style terrazzo bathroom flooring and antique bathtubs contribute to its local charm. Over 70% of the original exterior and interior has been preserved. Modern elements have also been added to ensure guests are comfortable and can relax while experiencing a travel back in time.
After 10 years of hard work, the Tainan Old House Inn operates as a collection of eight residences scattered throughout the alleys of central Tainan. Each residence belongs to the Hsieh family and each represents a different theme: one is the old library house, another a tree house, and yet another is the childhood house where Kyle grew up, finally one space served as Mama Hsieh’s dowry. The Tainan Old House Inn offers more than just lodging, in fact upon obtaining a reservation (which 3-months advance notice as required) the management team will do their best to pair you with the accommodation which fits your needs best.
Historic buildings are one of the mediums through which precious stories can be told. Kyle Hsieh’s efforts in bringing new life to unused buildings have been part of a greater trend to appreciate and repurpose, as opposed to building over, the past. Today, there is an abundant amount of specialty B&Bs in Tainan specializing in vintage experiences and historical experiences all of which offer uniquely local sets of experiences.
