From its outstanding tower, loudspeakers on top floor, round wooden windows, exterior wall without tile cover and roof tiles in grey, Huwei Government Building is clearly not a product of modern architecture. It was constructed as a complex building for multiple government departments’ office. One of designing features was that offices inside had their independent entrance and traffic flow. During Japanese Colonial Era, it was shared by police force, fire bureau and assembly hall. Similar Japanese-style buildings with certain design could also be found in Tainan and Keelung, though they are both renamed as Tainan City Government Fire Bureau 2st District HQ (台南市消防隊第二分隊) and Keelung Harbor Building (基隆海港大樓) respectively.
The tower splitting the building into two parts was the tallest structure of Huwei in Japanese Colonial Era and used by fire department as elevation of observing fire incident. Due to growth of the town and raising height of buildings, such usage is no longer needed. Still, the building is kept after restoration and used as branch of Eslite Bookstore and Starbucks for now. At the entrance, a police badge is still hanged as past time. Books and accessories are placed in the space previously as police station. People are either standing or sitting on ground to enjoy their reading. The green logo of cafe on first floor merges well with black walls and wooden window frames. Time seems to be slowed down when having a beverage and gossiping with friends here.
