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Architectural Story

The National Center of Photography and Images is located at the intersection of Zhongxiao W. Road and Huaining Street in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei City. The building was originally completed in 1937 as the site of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch. The Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government (now Directorate General of Highways, MOTC) both occupied this address after World War II. Designated as a monument in 2014 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government, the site was earmarked by the Ministry of Culture for restoration and reuse as the National Center of Photography and Images.

To date, the building has silently stood on this bustling street corner for over 80 years. This “architectural story” will look back on the historical and architectural traces of each of the institutions that have occupied this building.



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Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) period

1937 - 1945


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Taiwan Navigation Company and Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government, period

1946 - 2014


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National Center of Photography and Images

2014 -

Chronical of Architecture

May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.
May

The Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) establishes a Keelung office in northern Taiwan, but closes it by June at the same year. Following through with many offices in Dadaocheng and other areas within Taipei
1933

The Taipei Station Plaza begins site reorganization, and the Taipei office vacates its original premises by 1935.
1936

The second-generation Taipei office of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) is established at Omote-cho 2-chome 16-banchi (then-address of the current location). With architectural design by the Setsu Watanabe Architectural Company, and construction by the Obayashi Corporation.
August 5

A jichinsai (groundbreaking ceremony) is held on the vacant lot to the west Nissin Life on the Omote-cho, and the construction begins.
October 1

The Taipei Office is upgraded to the Taipei Branch, for coordinating business affairs in the northern region.
October

Construction on the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is completed after 15 months.
1946

After a inventory of Japanese assets in Taiwan, the Japanese Ferry Companies in Taiwan merged into the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is renamed the Building of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. and houses the headquarters and business promotional functions of the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd.
1958

After years of financial losses, the Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd. sells and transfers ownership to the Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government.
1968

The Taiwan Highway Bureau, (Taiwan Provincial Government) undertakes renovations in response to changing requirements. Engaging the services of architect Ming-Kang WOO to oversee the demolition of the rooftop spired-turret in order to extend the building by constructing a fourth storey, as well as to expand the offices toward Guanqian Road with the construction of a new 9-storey building.
December 30

The former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is identified by the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee as a Monument of Cultural Value. A public hearing is subsequently held according to the Policy on Monument Designation and Revocation Assessment.
March

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC vacates from the site. (The Taiwan Highway Bureau, Taiwan Provincial Government was renamed the Directorate General of Highways under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in 2002.)
April 7

The 56th Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee designates the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch as a monument.
July 10

Then-Minister of Culture Ying-Tai LUNG is accompanied by experts and scholars to inspect the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, and to discuss the site earmarked for Center of Photography and Images.
July 16

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC agrees to allocate the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch Municipal Monument to the Ministry of Culture (MOC).
October 23

Bureau of Cultural Heritage, MOC commissions Hsu-Yu Chien Architecture Firm with the “Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Landmark at the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch; and the Planning and Designing Project of National Center of Photography and Images.”
March 2

Bureau of cultural Heritage calls “The First Working Meeting to Investigate Reuse Plans and Design for Monuments.”
August 31

The Directorate General of Highways, MOTC transfers the construction site of the former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch to the Ministry of Culture.
October 15

Based on decisions made by the 73rd Session of the Taipei City Cultural Heritage Review Committee, guidelines for the “Restoration and Reuse of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch” will be based on “restoration to its 1937 appearance, with preservation plans based on the original scope (three storeys) of the Monument.”
November

The book, Restoration and Reuse Project of the Municipal Monument of Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch, is published by the National Taiwan Museum.
January 16

The restoration site of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch is transferred from the Ministry of Culture to the Bureau of Cultural Heritage .
January 17

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) begins.
July

Restoration construction on the Monument of the Former Osaka Shosen Kaisha (Osaka Mercantile Co., Ltd.) Taipei Branch (currently the National Center of Photography and Images building) is completed.
November 11

Interior design and fitting work begin at the National Center of Photography and Images.