Xinfu Market (Shintomicho Public Market)

Xinfu Market (新富市場), originally known as the Shintomicho Foodstuff Retail Market (新富町食料品小売市場), is a public market building constructed in 1935 during the Japanese colonial period in what is now Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan. It stands as one of the finest surviving examples of colonial-era public market architecture in Taiwan.

The market's origins trace to the earlier Midori-chō Market (綠町食料品小売市場), which suffered from poor location and chronic mismanagement. To resolve these issues, the colonial government selected a new site at Shintomi-chō 3-chōme 21-banchi and commissioned a purpose-built market. Construction began on January 7, 1935, and the new Shintomicho Market officially opened on June 28 of the same year. The building featured an innovative horseshoe (U-shaped) floor plan with a reinforced concrete roof supported by RC beams and confined masonry walls. The central courtyard created by the horseshoe shape served as a natural ventilation well, while clerestory windows and ventilators throughout the structure ensured excellent air circulation and natural lighting — advanced hygienic features for a market building of that era.

At its opening, the market housed more than 30 stalls selling meat, fresh fish, vegetables, groceries, tobacco and liquor, confectionery, and tableware. The market served both Japanese and Taiwanese residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, and its commercial activity reflected the blended daily life of the two communities. Beyond commerce, the market functioned as a community gathering space, hosting local celebrations, theatrical performances, and charity events as documented in contemporary newspaper coverage.

After Japan's surrender in 1945 and the end of colonial rule, the market continued operating under the Republic of China government. However, the adjacent Dongsan Shui Street Market (東三水街市場) gradually drew away customers, and Xinfu Market fell into decline. By the early 2000s, the aging building faced the threat of demolition. Recognizing its architectural and historical significance, the Taipei City Government designated Xinfu Market as a municipal historic site (市定古蹟) on July 5, 2006.

The Taipei City Market Administration Office completed the building's restoration in 2013. The JUT Foundation for Arts and Architecture (忠泰建築文化藝術基金會) took over operations and in March 2017 reopened the space as the U-mkt (新富町文化市場), transforming it into a vibrant cultural venue. Today the restored market houses exhibition spaces, workshop areas, professional kitchens for food education programs, a café, and community event spaces. The adaptive reuse project has been widely praised as a successful model for preserving colonial-era heritage while creating contemporary cultural value.