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
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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.
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