A unique 28-story, six-basement-level Buddhist building will soon be built across from Hanshin Department Store in Kaohsiung. Unlike typical high-rises, this will be the new Kaohsiung Buddhist Hall.
The original temple, built in 1955, was a local landmark designed by famed architect Chen Jen-Ho. It combined Eastern design with Western-style interiors. The temple was originally built on public land obtained through political connections, which might raise concerns by today’s standards.
The original Kaohsiung Buddhist Hall built in 1955 – via Google Maps
In 2019, Fo Guang Shan’s development company won the bid to redevelop the 495.8-ping site, offering NT$578 million—more than double the base price. With a planned investment of NT$5.43 billion, it became the largest private project during Mayor Han Kuo-yu’s term.
The original temple will be temporarily relocated and preserved during construction, then returned to its place, similar to the way Kaohsiung’s old train station was handled.
The new tower will be built alongside the relocated temple, creating a juxtaposition of old and new. When completed, the structure may reach a height second only to the 136-meter Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Nantou, making it the tallest Buddhist building in southern Taiwan and among the tallest in the country.
