The famous Taj Mahal Hotel is also of Indo-Saracenic architecture, and was designed by famous architects in India, Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza.
1. www.accessarchitects.in
History of Architecture in Mumbai
The architecture of Mumbai blends Gothic, Victorian, Indo-Saracenic and Art Deco styles.
Many of the buildings in Mumbai are from the colonial era constructed by the best
architects in the world.
Victorian Gothic style of architecture came to popular because of the British in the 18th
and 19th centuries. The Gothic style of architecture is expressive, with a bunch of colors,
beautifully carved, and dotted with stained glass paintings. Bombay City Hall was built
during this period, by Colonel Thomas Cowper, even the Rajabai Towers, Fort campus of
the University of Mumbai, St. Xavier’s College, Wilson College, The Secretariat and
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) are all examples of this style of architecture.
The Indo-Saracenic style developed in the second half of the 19th century, combining
Islamic and Hindu architectural styles with domed roofs, arches, stained glasses, spires and
minarets. Some of the most iconic examples of this are the Gateway of India and
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as the Prince of Wales
Museum). The Gateway of India is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bombay
located in the Apollo Bunder area of South Bombay. The domes are derived from Islamic
architecture, and the pillars are reminiscent of Hindu temples. The famous Taj Mahal Hotel
is also of Indo-Saracenic architecture, and was designed by famous architects in India,
Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza.
The Art Deco period began in the year 1910, its distinct features were linear symmetry,
airy facades, and angular shaped buildings. This kind of architecture is also popular in mid
90s cinema halls, such as Metro Cinema, Eros Cinema, Liberty Cinema and even Regal
Cinema. The foundation of Eros Cinema was laid in 1935, and its facade was made with
Agra sandstone and painted cream. The foyer is made of black and white marble with
touches of gold. Mumbai has the maximum number of Art Deco buildings in the world
after Miami. The style developed in this city to form a new Deco-Saracenic style of its
own. The Mahalaxmi Temple, Jahangir Art Gallery, The Flora Fountain, Regal Cinema,
are all Art Deco structures.
Mumbai is the wealthiest city in India, being the financial capital of the country. This has
led to a rise in high rise commercial as well as residential buildings. Due to an increase in
the population of the city, the demand for ‘architects near me’, has grown quite a bit. In
2. www.accessarchitects.in
many parts of the city, particularly the newer suburbs modern, tall buildings dominate the
skyline. Mumbai has by far the greatest number of skyscrapers in the country, with 956
existing buildings and 272 under construction. The tallest buildings, as of now in the city
are One Avighna Park, Palais Royale, and The Imperial. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Development Authority (MMRDA) was established in 1974 to manage the planning and
coordination of development and architecture in the city.
The history of the architecture of Mumbai is diverse and filled with foreign influences
which is what makes it unique and special.