Kaohsiung Breaks Ground on Old City Council Redevelopment into Financial Hub

Kaohsiung has officially commenced the urban redevelopment of its old city council building, a project Mayor Chen Chi-mai highlighted as a pivotal step in transforming the southern district into a future financial hub. The redevelopment, located at the intersection of Zhongzheng and Ziqiang Roads in the Qianjin District, aims to revitalize an area that once served as the city's financial street and was envisioned as an Asian asset management center. After the merger of the county and city, the building briefly housed the education bureau before becoming vacant. Taiwan Life Insurance is investing over NT$7 billion (approximately $215 million USD) in the project, which will feature a 26-story building above ground and four stories below. This new structure is intended to attract financial services and AI-related businesses, addressing Kaohsiung's shortage of Grade A office spaces. Mayor Chen expressed his confidence that the revitalized site will drive urban transformation and accelerate the influx of relevant industries into southern Kaohsiung. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by various officials, including Legislator Lai Rui-lung, Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Kang Yu-cheng, and Vice Speaker Tseng Chun-chieh, along with council members and representatives from Taiwan Life Insurance and the National Property Administration. During the event, Mayor Chen reminisced about his experience being questioned at the old council building when he served as acting mayor. Council Speaker Kang and veteran councilor Li Chiao-ju also shared memories of the building's past.

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Kaohsiung is very much in need of Grade A office buildings. I believe that after the renovation of the old city council, it will lead the transformation of southern Kaohsiung, not just the city, but also accelerate the entry of AI industry or financial services-related manufacturers and enterprises. This will become the financial hub of southern Kaohsiung.