By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — While the city’s housing market took a beating in the last quarter of 2025, one area is defying the downward trend. A high-end residential market is taking shape around Jhongdu Redevelopment Zone (中都重劃區) in Kaohsiung, where a combination of park access and dense urban greenery is attracting professionals and business owners, according to reporting by Liberty Times (自由時報).
The area, anchored by the 12.6-hectare Jhongdu Wetlands Park, features an estimated 40 percent green coverage rate. Developers report growing interest in newly completed “upscale” condominiums near the park, with units typically ranging from 50 to over 60 ping (165–200 square meters). Total prices generally fall between NT$20 million and NT$28 million, drawing self-employed buyers, senior physicians, and technology sector executives.
Market observers say the zone’s connectivity has also boosted demand. Jhongdu is roughly a 10-minute drive from Taiwan Railways, Kaohsiung MRT Red Line stations, and the circular light rail system, while offering convenient access to the Pier-2 Art Center, Mingcheng commercial district, Hanshin Arena shopping complex, and Aozihdi Forest Park. The surrounding lifestyle amenities have made the area particularly appealing to financial professionals and families relocating from the nearby Art Museum district.
The cooling housing market in Kaohsiung
1) Prices Have Shifted from Growth to Decline
House prices in Kaohsiung fell about 5.7% year-on-year in Q3 2025, reversing from double-digit growth in 2024 as demand softened.
2) Transaction Volumes Have Dropped Sharply
According to local property data, Kaohsiung’s 2025 property transactions plunged roughly 30% year-on-year, hitting a 15-year low in deal activity. This trend reflects a broader cooling across Taiwan’s six major cities, where buyer caution and reduced turnover have become widespread.
3) Presale and New Construction Markets Slowed
Nationwide, presale housing transactions declined sharply, with a substantial reduction in buyer participation and unit sales as stricter credit policies and caution weighed on activity.
4) Buyer Sentiment Remains Conservative
Market observers note that buyers are cautious, focused on primary residence needs rather than speculation, and are waiting for clearer price signals before committing to purchases.
5) Outlook for 2026 — Volume Stabilization, Prices Steady
Local industry leaders forecast that Kaohsiung’s housing market may shift to a pattern of lower volume but relatively stable prices in 2026, with first-time and upgrade buyers leading any recovery.
