TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Railways announced Tuesday that Shin Kong Mitsukoshi has been selected as the top applicant in a rehabilitate-operate-transfer bid to manage shopping mall operations at Taipei Main Station.
The bid attracted eight applicants competing to upgrade and operate three levels of the station, including an underground level, the main lobby, and a second floor. The railway said final negotiations and contract signing will proceed in accordance with regulations, per CNA.
The contract will run for 15 years, with an option to extend for an additional eight years. The minimum investment required is NT$765 million (US$24.2 million), and Taiwan Railways said it aims for annual mall revenue to exceed NT$5 billion.
Taipei Main Station is the capital’s primary transportation hub, integrating Taiwan Railways, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taipei MRT, Airport MRT, and city buses. It serves more than 600,000 passengers daily, with several major development projects planned for the surrounding area.
The mall is currently operated by Breeze Center, with its contract set to expire July 24. Taiwan Railways launched the bidding process in mid-January, with submissions closing March 20. Results were originally scheduled to be announced in late April.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Taiwan Railways said Shin Kong Mitsukoshi was selected following presentations and on-site questioning by a review committee evaluating qualified applicants. Breeze Center was ranked as the second-best applicant and may be considered if negotiations with the top bidder are unsuccessful.
The site was previously awarded to Breeze Center in 2005, with operations beginning in 2006. In subsequent years, Breeze Center introduced a range of dining, retail, and souvenir services that helped reshape the station’s atmosphere, improve passenger services, and increase rental income.
Looking ahead, Taiwan Railways said the station’s long-term development will emphasize multilingual signage, international service standards, local cuisine, tourism promotion, family-friendly facilities, arts and cultural spaces, and sustainable development goals.
Taiwan Railways said it aims to transform Taipei Main Station into an internationally competitive hub that balances transportation services, public functions, and city branding, offering a more welcoming and globally connected environment for travelers and residents.
