The Best of Mumbai Architecture in 7 Structures

This Mumbai landmark was meant to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai in 1911, but construction only began in 1915. Designed by Scottish architect George Wittet, the Gateway of India was built on land reclaimed from the sea by 1924. Taking much inspiration from architecture around the country, the structure blends in Islamic and Hindu styles along with Roman influences.

The foundation stone of this landmark museum was laid in 1906 by the Prince of Wales (later King George V). Currently Mumbai’s primary museum, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya features some of the most striking architecture you will find in South Mumbai. Blending Indian and Saracenic architectural styles, and taking inspiration from The Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, the stunning building was designed by Scottish architect George Wittet.

Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai today. The railway station first opened in 1888 and continues to serve millions of daily commuters to this day. The UNESCO World Heritage site features impressive High Victorian Gothic and Indian architectural styles including turrets, pointed arches and a high central dome with a prominent female figure holding a torch pointing upwards in her right hand and a spoked wheel in the other.

Modelled after the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Borivali is bound to stun anyone with its impeccable architecture and strong message. Known to contain the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars, the structure’s dome is twice the size of the the Gol Gumbaz Dome in Bijapur which was previously considered to be the largest hollow stone monument in the world. The stunning pagoda was built to express gratitude to Gautama Buddha and to serve as a reminder of his teachings.