At the end of the 19th century, flourishing commerce in tea and camphor led many Western foreign countries such as the United States, the Netherlands, and Britain to establish consulates and trade offices in the Dadaocheng district of Taihoku Prefecture.

Ambassadors Karl L. Rankin, Everett F. Drumright, Alan G. Kirk, Jerauld Wright, Walter P. McConaughy and Leonard S. Unger all made this building their home.

In 1941, World War II broke out between Japan and the United States in the Pacific, forcing the American consulate in Taihoku to close.

After the Japanese surrender ceremonies were conducted by the Republic of China on 25 October 1945, the United States established its consulate at the building on 4 April 1946.

In 2000, the Taipei City Government and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) under the Cultural and Educational Foundation began renovating the building.