Dadaocheng was incorporated into the international trade system due to its prosperous trade in tea and groceries from the north and the south. When Dadaocheng experienced more diversified development after Taiwan entered the Japanese occupation period in the 21st year of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1895 AD), it emerged entertainment venues such as restaurants have appeared, among which "Jiangshan Tower" is the most famous. Not only does it have a stylish appearance, but also literati often come and go to watch Yidan performances.

But in addition, there was also a group of prostitutes who met the needs of middle and lower-class men in Dadaocheng at a low price. Most of them hid in the dark alleys to survive as private prostitutes. Only a few such as Wenmenglou, which was built in Taisho 13 to 14 years was approved to become a public prostitute, and there is a flow of eroticism connected to Dadaocheng in the marginal area.

Wenmeng Building itself is a second-order multi-storey storefront made of civil bricks and stones in an imitation Baroque style. The exterior walls were covered with yellow-green tiles, commonly known as "Kokubōshoku Tiles", which were popular at the time. It was quite fashionable at that time.

After the end of World War II, the property rights of Wenmenglou were nationalized and managed by the Bank of Taiwan. Although the National Government once announced the abolition of prostitutes, considering that the settlement of prostitutes had already formed at that time, and the needs of a large number of single soldiers came to Taiwan, they turned to promulgation " Taipei City Prostitutes Management Measures" and other related regulations, Wenmenglou is also listed as a Grade-A public prostitution hall. Including the number of practitioners, fees, and even furnishings are all subject to regulation. Although the purpose is to gradually eliminate the industry, it also allows legal public prostitutes to obtain professional protection and can maintain their livelihoods without the interference and coercion of the underworld.

In 1997, the then mayor of Taipei, Chen Shui-bian, hurriedly abolished prostitutes within 48 hours at the request of the legislators, triggering a backlash from the public prostitutes, and Wenmenglou also became the center of the anti-prostitution movement by chance, leaving a mark in the history of social movements in Taiwan with its own figure.

In 2006, Wenmenglou became a designated historic site in Taipei City, and it is the only former public prostitution house in Taiwan that has been designated for preservation. After the renovation and maintenance, it will continue to carry its unique historical feelings, and witness the bits and pieces of Taipei's new generation in the future.