History Grand Hotel (Taipei)
after chiang kai-shek s retreat taiwan in 1949, chiang felt difficult accommodate foreign ambassadors due lack of five-star hotels in taipei. wanted build extravagant hotel cater foreign guests. wife soong mei-ling (madame chiang) suggested build on old taiwan hotel on yuanshan mountain, site of ruins of taiwan grand shrine, shinto shrine during japanese rule. chiang decided on chinese palace-style architecture promote chinese culture west through extravagance. taipei-based architect yang cho-cheng responsible design of new hotel.
the hotel established in may 1952, expanded several times before became landmark known today. swimming pool, tennis court, , membership lounge constructed in 1953, , golden dragon pavilion , golden dragon restaurant opened in 1956. jade phoenix pavilion , chi-lin pavilion opened in 1958 , 1963, respectively. in 1968 hotel rated 1 of world s top ten hotels fortune magazine. finally, on double tenth day of 1973, main grand hotel building completed , became instant taipei icon.
in june 1995 disastrous fire broke out on roof of main building during necessary reconstruction , refurbishment. neither ladders nor high pressure pumps reach fire, roof , upper floors destroyed. not until 1998 did hotel recover damage , became reopened public. following fire, 2 dragon heads on roof rotated 180 degrees point inwards. dragons traditionally symbol of rain , water, intended symbolize preparedness against future fire.
Comments
Post a Comment