Designed by architects Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, Mumbai’s most iconic hotel has awed visitors from around the world for more than a century now. The Arabian Sea-facing hotel was built under Jamshetji Tata in 1903 and drew inspiration from around the world – showcasing striking Victorian Gothic, Romanesque and Edwardian elements. The Taj Mahal Palace’s prominent dome served as the first clear marker of the Bombay harbour until the construction of the nearby Gateway of India.
This iconic 85m clock tower in Fort was modelled after the Big Ben in London by English architect George Gilbert Scott. Completed in 1878, the tower’s entire costs were covered by Premchand Roychand, a successful broker and founding member of the Bombay Stock Exchange, on the condition that it be named after his mother Rajabai. Built blending Venetian and Gothic styles of architecture, the structure was at one point the tallest in Mumbai.
This ancient structure in South Mumbai serves as a reminder that great architecture isn’t a recent occurrence in Mumbai. Built in the 1127 AD, the Banganga tank and its surrounding Walkeshwar Temple Complex is a stunning sight that continues to inspire artists across mediums. Though the complex was destroyed by the Portuguese during the 16th century, it was rebuilt with funds from Rama Kamath, a Mumbai businessman and philanthropist, to its current form in the 18th century.
Walkeshwar Rd, Teen Batti, Malabar Hill
