IHCL To Revive Mumbai’s Sea Rock Hotel As Luxurious Taj Bandstand

Mumbai’s famous Sea Rock Hotel will reopen as Taj Bandstand, an opulent addition to the city’s lodging options. After obtaining approval from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) intends to start development on the seafront Bandra property in the latter half of 2025. IHCL’s managing director and CEO, Puneet Chhatwal, was hopeful that the project would begin on time.

After the renovation, IHCL will have five upscale properties in Mumbai: Taj Mahal Palace, Taj Lands End, Taj Santacruz, and Taj The Trees. Together with the Ginger, SeleQtions, and Vivanta brands, IHCL operates 12 hotels in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, and these four properties together account for a sizable share of its current inventory of 1,550 rooms.

There are 75 branded hotels in Mumbai, with a total of 15,524 rooms. Because of the city’s need for first-rate hospitality services, affluent and luxury lodgings make up about 71% of the entire inventory.

Built by the Luthria family in 1978, the Sea Rock Hotel was the first five-star hotel in suburban Mumbai and a popular among celebrities. Under a licence arrangement, ITC started running the hotel in 1986. However, after a terror assault in 1993 severely damaged it, it stopped operating.

Ownership then changed several times before being purchased by Claridges Hotel’s Suresh Nanda in 2005 for INR 300 crore. IHCL became the sole leasehold owner after acquiring an 85% share in 2009 and the remaining stake in 2020. Redevelopment plans are now on track after being postponed because of legal and environmental clearance concerns.

One of Mumbai’s most recognisable landmarks is entering a new era with the reopening of the Sea Rock Hotel as Taj Bandstand. Despite decades of obstacles, such as disagreements and legal restrictions, IHCL’s perseverance has made this significant renovation possible. Serving both leisure and business travellers, it is expected to make a substantial contribution to Mumbai’s flourishing premium hospitality industry.

Source: Prop News Time

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