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.
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