Following the eastward movement of urban development, Taipei west has lost its importance. Being sandwiched by overpasses and heavy traffic, the North Gate area also lost its past glory and was gradually being forgotten. To regain the prosperity of Taipei west, the Taipei City Government activated the “Taipei City Western District Gateway Project” by first demolishing the Zhongxiao Bridge ramp to restore the whole picture of the North Gatehouse. Following the improvement of nearby transportation access, the construction of the Taipei Travel Plaza and Taipei Bus Station, and the opening of the North Gate Square in August 2017, the North Gate area has reappeared to the public as a brand-new gateway.
Expanded from 2,370m2 to 6,865m2, the North Gate Square is like a miniature of Taipei’s history and makes the North Gatehouse look more magnificent. In addition, slates have been paved in the east and west of the gatehouse to re-present the location of the Taipei City walls in the Qing dynasty. Elements suggesting the development of Taipei City were also integrated in the landscapes around the square. For example, the geomancy landscape on the building of Taipei City donated by the Rotary Club of Taipei Northgate is composed of images including Mt. Qixing, Tamsui River, Taipei City, and the Plough to present how the entire city was turned 13 degrees to the east to make Mt. Qixing the backbone of the north city wall, which is the geomancy characteristic of Taipei City. As the north city wall was built with rocks from Kirigan in Beitou, the andesite from Mt. Jinmian in Neihu, and rocks from Mt. Guanyin in Bali, natural slates were selected for the square pavement.
Representative historical buildings surrounding the North Gate Square, such as the Taipei Futai Street Mansion and Arsenal built in the Qing dynasty and the Railway Department, Taipei Post Office, Osaka Shipping Company Taipei Branch, and Mitsui & Co. Taipei Warehouse built during Japanese colonization, will be integrated into the “phase” historical landscape with the North Gatehouse as the center to link to the Taipei Travel Square to create the Taiwan gateway image symbolizing the fusion of the past and present.
