5 Mumbai Localities That Boast of Heritage Tag

Amidst the din and noise of the Maximum City, there are few localities that still bring back the old world charm. The list is a tad limited because of the concretization and commercialization of most heritage areas in Mumbai. However, these areas still retain their charm and are among the most prized addresses in the city.

1. Malabar Hill

Gated communities and luxury apartments may be a rage in Mumbai, but when it comes to a status symbol, nothing quite compares with an independent bungalow in the toniest city neighbourhood. Apart from the grandeur and exclusivity, the big rush lies in the absolute rarity of such properties in South Mumbai. Malabar Hill is home to such exclusive abodes that are acquired by top industrialists, who turn them into residence. Malabar Hill is home to people like the Ruias, Yash Birla and Adi Godrej. Depending on the grade awarded by the heritage committee, structures cannot be knocked down or remodelled. There are FSI limitations on such properties as well. Joint ownership means sometimes a member may not be ready to share costs of refurbishing. But for the buyers, having to shell out a few more crores for restoration is just another additional minor expense to be the pride addressee of Malabar Hill.

2. Marine Drive

The art deco buildings along the famous Queen’s necklace are among the most prized addresses in Mumbai. Marine Drive skirts one of the most beautiful natural bays in the world. Along its length is an array of 5-6 storied buildings designed in the art-deco style of the 1930s, which lends this seaside promenade a unique and unified character. The consistency in character of buildings in details like balconies, compound walls, mass and volume together with the promenade is an integral part of the precinct and creates an interesting urbanscape. This is also a popular tourist destination and one of the most widely used public recreation space of Mumbai city. Most buildings along the iconic stretch have used up most of the FSI available, however open spaces and gymkhanas along the sea face are an integral part of the area’s heritage character. The precinct culminates along Girgaum Chowpatty and Wilson College which, despite its mixed architectural features, is able to continue the ambience created by the main part of the precinct.

3. Fort

The Fort area of Mumbai is one of the oldest areas of the former Fort. The Fort area was the heart of the city in the 18th century, however, the walls were demolished with the growth of the city. This area is now the financial center of the city, but still has many monuments, and heritage building. Some interesting sights include places of worship like the Parsi Agiarys (Fire Temples), Jain and Hindu temples built right next to churches and cathedrals. The Fort Precinct occupies a significant position in Bombay for it marks the origins of the city. Its highly structured form reinforced by magnificent public buildings makes it architecturally an important and valuable precinct in the city.

4. Bandra

Bandra, ‘Queeen of the Suburbs’ is one of the lesser explored but more interesting parts of Mumbai, tempting visitors with its unique mix of history, architecture, traditional ‘gaothans’, Bollywood glamour, and some of the best shopping in the city. The earliest records of Bandra are from the mid-1500’s, when the Portuguese gave the Jesuit priests the islands of Bandra, Sion, Wadala and Parel. The Portuguese built several churches in Bandra, many of which are still in use today. Bandra remained a village with plantations of rice and vegetables, until it was connected to Mahim by a causeway in 1845. Many bungalows in Bandra were built here in the boom years of the 1860’s and 70’s. With the growth and prosperity of Bollywood, Bandra became home to many well-known movie stars. By the mid 1900’s, Bandra had definitely become a fashionable address, and in recent years, going by the number of new upscale lounges and bars, it seems to have eclipsed the ‘old money’ poshness of South Mumbai. However, in spite of its sea-front houses, bungalows, movie-star homes, restaurants, shopping arcades and clubs, Bandra still retains its old charm.

5. Aram Nagar, Versova

Nestled in the back lanes of busy and affluent lanes of posh Versova in Andheri (West) is the sleepy neighbourhood of Aram Nagar. Once home to British barracks, Aram Nagar is now one of the few, rare localities in Mumbai with bungalows of leisure. Aram Nagar is divided into Parts 1 & 2 and is spread over an area of 40 acres. Today, the occupants of the 300-odd cottages include many photography and casting studios and offices of some of the leading lights of the Hindi film industry. Aram Nagar is one of the few locations in Mumbai where you can meet artists, teachers, yoga experts and NGO workers functioning out of leafy courtyards. The old bungalows with a simple brick structure and asbestos roofs may seem old-fashioned to some but for many they offer the best escape from the anxieties of life in Mumbai.