Watson's Esplanade Hotel, now known as the Esplanade
Mansion, is India's oldest surviving cast iron building. It is located in the
Kala Ghoda area of Mumbai. Named after its original owner, John Watson, the
building was fabricated in England and constructed on site between 1860 and
1863.The hotel was leased on 26 August 1867 for 999 years at the yearly rent of
Rupees 92 and 12 annas to Abdul Haq. It was closed in the 1960s and was later
subdivided and partitioned into smaller cubicles that were let out on rent as
homes and offices. Neglect of the building has resulted in decay and, despite
its listing as a Grade II–A heritage structure, the building is now in a
dilapidated state.
Ref Wikipedia.
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Great pic, Thanks for Info's.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week ahead.
92Rs!!! Is it still continuing at the same rate?
ReplyDeleteGreat pic.
It's sad to see this fine structure deteriorating! But I do like your photo. I think b&w was the perfect choice - the building now becomes a work of art!
ReplyDeleteis India's oldest surviving cast iron building.The hotel was leased on 26 August 1867 for 999 years at the yearly rent of Rupees 92 and 12 annas to Abdul Haq.Amazing and unbelievable
ReplyDeleteExcellent image! Black and white is the perfect choice for the dilapidation. So sad to see such a historic building in this condition - it must have been amazing in its prime!
ReplyDeleteCast Iron building? Wow. In Melbourne there are buildings with metal ceilings - the metal was used as ballast for ships from the UK to Australia - rather than carry stones (which was the normal practice) somebody though of the idea of using sheet metal, with pattern cast / stamped into them, which could be sold on arrive. I wonder if there is a similar story with these buildings?
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Pressed tin ceilings are a major part of the architectural story of cities like New York too. Many were covered up, then rediscovered in a time that values them, Stewart. Thanks f or sharing this. Of course "Belgian block" stones came to Philadelphia and other new world cities at ballast then were used to pave streets still in use today@
DeleteA high rise of another age.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that one's got a lot of history.
Nice shot.
A fascinating type of building also represented in cities like Philadelphia and New York. Very interesting to see and know about, Deepak. Namaste /\
ReplyDeleteI never heard of a cast iron building. How unique and sad that it is in bad shape. Looks great in b&w. Maybe someone will find the funds to upgrade the building.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post for so many reasons. The photo, the information, and the comments. Thank you all.
ReplyDeleteI like it in b&w.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful b&w.
ReplyDelete