It's historical development began in 1976, when the Taipei Municipal Government accepted the proposal to redevelop the area east of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. The goal of this redevelopment was to set up a secondary commercial center away from the more crowded old city center (Taipei Station, Ximending area). The redevelopment hoped to increase the prosperity of the eastern district and the convenience of urban life for existing residents.[1]
The development framework was planned by the Japanese architect Kaku Morin [ja] (1920–2012) of Kaku Morin Group, an architect with planning experience with the Nishi-Shinjuku district, a previously planned development in Tokyo. The center's purpose was to expand business investment in the area and attract international financial services and technology firms. It also planned for residential development by building a completely new community. The Xinyi Planning District is the only commercial development area in Taipei with a wholly planned street and urban design. In addition to attracting corporations, it also features large retail spaces, department stores, and shopping malls.[2]
There are currently 15 department stores in Xinyi Planning District, forming the Xinyi Commercial District. Department stores in the commercial district include Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi New Life Square (A4, A8, A9, and A11), Taipei 101 Mall, Vieshow Cinemas, ATT 4 FUN, Uni-President Hankyu Department Store, BELLAVITA, Eslite Bookstore, Breeze Xin Yi, Breeze Song Gao, Breeze Nan Shan, Neo19, and FEDS Xinyi A13. Taipei Sky Tower Mall is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.[3] With at least 10 department stores in a mere 50-hectare site, Xinyi Commercial District is said to have the world's highest density of department stores.[4][5][6]