In Hualien City, eastern Taiwan, there’s a Starbucks store that stands out as a special presence among the thousands of Starbucks locations worldwide. This is the “Starbucks Hualien Bay Gate Store” (洄瀾門市店) in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan.
Built from 29 shipping containers, this store opened in 2019 as Asia’s first container-style Starbucks. The innovative design by world-renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and its fusion with local culture has drawn significant attention. Today, I’ll share my visit report to this unique and stylish Starbucks.
A Starbucks With Truly Unique Design
Visited around 7 PM. Unlike the daytime appearance often seen on Instagram, the vivid lights give it 20% more cyberpunk vibes.
About 15 minutes by car from downtown Hualien, the white container building adjacent to the Paradise Shopping Mall (新天堂樂園) is our target Starbucks. The exterior looks simple at first glance, but upon closer inspection, 29 containers are combined with exquisite balance to form a four-story structure. At night, the openings are illuminated in seven colors.
The building constructed from stacking 29 containers showed a completely different expression from what I’d seen in daytime photos.
LEDs that change to seven colors over time
Strategically placed LED lighting gently illuminates each container, creating the appearance of a giant light art piece floating in the night sky. Particularly impressive is the light leaking through the gaps between containers stacked in an inverted pyramid shape, creating an illusion that the entire building is floating in mid-air.
This building by world-famous architect Kengo Kuma breathes new life into containers that once traveled the world’s ports including New York, Barcelona, and Marseille. It’s not merely recycled architecture but has been elevated to a work of art.
Evening Visit
Even more rugged when viewed from the front
When I parked in the lot, about 20 cars were already there. Young couples were taking photos against the illuminated building backdrop, and office workers on their way home were stopping by the drive-through. Since it’s a bit removed from downtown Hualien, it wasn’t crowded.
Opening the glass door revealed a space enveloped in tranquility. There was none of the hustle and bustle you often see at Starbucks locations in Taipei. Instead, there were engineers engrossed in coding with their MacBooks open, creators drawing illustrations on tablets, and local students quietly enjoying conversations. The atmosphere felt like a creative studio.
What caught my eye at the first-floor counter was the store-exclusive drink menu. Attracted to the original tea made with local Hualien tea leaves, I ordered hot tea to conclude my long drive.
Rich Interior Design
Climbing the stairs to the second floor revealed an even more attractive space. Beyond the large windows lay the silhouettes of Hualien’s mountains illuminated by moonlight. The unique seating arrangement utilizing the container characteristics gives each area semi-private independence.
Sitting at the window seat recommended by the staff and holding my warm tea, I finally felt the fatigue from my long drive melting away. I noticed foreign tourists who appeared to be backpackers planning their journey at a nearby seat, while local university students seemed to be engaged in group study at another sofa area.
Stories Woven by Space
The interior isn’t just stylish and industrial – it draws inspiration from the culture of Hualien’s indigenous Amis people. The walls feature bold, colorful artwork that becomes even more vivid under the night lighting. Each container wall bears records of the cargo it once carried and the ports it visited, as if telling stories of its journeys around the world.
The building’s center features an open atrium, creating a sense of openness despite being made from connected small containers. The lighting design avoids direct brightness, instead allowing light to spread along the walls, creating a space that gently embraces evening visitors.
Creative Merchandise
Wandering through the store, I noticed unique Starbucks merchandise. Keychains and mugs inspired by the architectural design all featured sophisticated designs. The mug featuring the exterior design of the Hualien Bay Gate Store was particularly appealing.
Keychains unique to this location
Observing the various seating areas, I gradually understood the special nature of this place. Despite being in tourist-popular Hualien, it’s not exclusively a space for tourists. It serves as a workspace for local creators, a study space for students, and a special meeting place for friends. I could feel its capacity to naturally accommodate various uses.
Conclusion
My unexpected evening Starbucks experience began with an unplanned discovery. Beyond its architectural innovation, the special time this space creates might be its true charm.
After finishing my tea, I looked up at the building one more time before leaving. The white boxes floating in the night sky shone like glowing sculptures, establishing a definite presence as Hualien’s new nighttime face.
This special café encountered by chance during my east coast drive from Taitung to Hualien. Next time, I’d like to see its daytime expression as well.
