OKU Hotel Taichung: A former departmental store brought back to life
Designed by Studio HBA Singapore, the revitalised former Sakurada Department Store marries French Art Deco elegance, bespoke interior narratives, and Taiwan’s tallest indoor bar tower.
By Guanlin Tan -
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The story of Taichung’s historic Central District is being rewritten with a polished brushstroke of vintage glamour. Situated at No. 357, Chenggong Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan, OKU Hotel Taichung opened its doors on 15 November 2025.
- Address: No. 357, Chenggong Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan, OKU Hotel Taichung
- Address in Chinese: 台中歐酷酒店, 台灣台中市中區成功路357號
- Room Rates: NT$3,800 (approx. S$158) off-peak to NT$6,500 (approx. S$270) peak, per night
Former departmental store
Housed within the transformed shell of the former Sakurada Department Store, the 80-key boutique hotel bridges historic urban conservation with modern luxury.
Prices
Standard room rates start from around NT$3,800 (approx. S$158) per night during off-peak periods, rising to approximately NT$6,500 (approx. S$270) per night during peak travel seasons and holiday weekends
Front desk reception in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
Architecture
Designed by the Singapore firm Studio HBA, the property operates under an imaginative central narrative: “The Department of Travellers’ Tales.”
Rather than sweeping away the heritage of the former retail building, the design team curated the hotel as if it were the private gallery of an intrepid global voyager.
Throughout the public areas and guestrooms, memories, antiques, and curated trinkets gathered from around the world are woven seamlessly into the architectural fabric, giving the historic structure a renewed lifestyle purpose amidst Taichung’s urban revitalisation.
Grand lobby in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
Hotel lobby
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a dramatic triple-height lobby conceived as a golden theatre of travel. Soaring architectural arches, gleaming metallic finishes, and multi-level mezzanine walkways frame the space, channelling the visual majesty of a grand European opera house while nodding to the bustling open layout of the original department store.
Liquor wall in the Ailìse Bar, OKU Hotel Taichung.
Dominating the atrium is a soaring multi-storey liquor display tower, which acts as a dramatic focal spine for the entire ground-floor guest experience.
Lobby lounge in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
1920s French Art Deco
The overarching design language blends 1920s French Art Deco with tactile, layered materiality. Studio HBA Singapore incorporated symmetrical geometric motifs, fluted metal accents, bronze screening, and a deep colour palette anchored by navy blue, peacock green, warm gold, and polished natural stone.
Cigar lounge in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
Underfoot, classic herringbone timber floors are paired with rich velvet drapery and tailored ambient lighting, evoking the nostalgia and romance associated with the golden age of luxury rail and sea travel.
Residential suite in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
Hotel rooms
This narrative of quiet, residential sanctuary extends into the guestrooms. Framed by floor-to-ceiling windows dressed in velvet drapes, each room balances tailored geometric wall features with warm timber finishes and brass details.
Residential suite bathroom in the OKU Hotel Taichung.
Bathrooms serve as indulgent personal spas, appointed with marble surfaces, brass-framed glass panels, and freestanding soaking tubs designed for lingering relaxation.
Liquor wall in the Ailìse Bar, OKU Hotel Taichung.
Ailìse Bar
At the heart of the hotel’s social life sits the Ailìse Bar, home to Taiwan’s tallest indoor liquor tower. The multi-storey illuminated bar structure transforms the central void into an atmospheric, light-filled stage.
Emerald-green bar in the Ailìse Bar, OKU Hotel Taichung.
Below, a vibrant emerald-green fluted bar topped with pristine white stone is lined with plush velvet seating.
Evolving from a serene daytime lounge into a seductive evening sanctuary, the space captures the alluring atmosphere of a roaring twenties speakeasy, marking a unique destination bar experience for locals and international visitors alike.