The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revealed plans to build a vast Town Hall Gymkhana complex close to its heritage offices to give residents a comprehensive view of south Mumbai’s historic district and to create a contemporary area for civic engagement.
The future facility will be built on the Cannon and Carnac sports field, which is situated between the famous BMC headquarters and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Senior civic officials say the new building will be a multipurpose public area with five basement floors that will house a town hall, amphitheatre, glass-domed observation gallery, restaurants, and parking.
For the first time, Mumbai’s central heritage zone will feature a town hall building with a defined public face. The action is viewed as a component of the city’s larger initiative to revitalise heritage areas with development that has cultural significance and democratise access to municipal spaces.
According to officials, the panoramic viewing gallery would give residents unhindered views of Azad Maidan, BMC Headquarters, and CSMT—a panorama that was previously unattainable because there were no easily accessible vantage points. A few years ago, a plan to permit selfie zones in this area was dropped due to a lack of public infrastructure.
The urban planning department has been instructed by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to make sure the new building complies with the height and design guidelines of the Fort heritage zone, which is home to several nearby protected structures.
The project, which also includes sports and recreational facilities for BMC staff, has been put out to bid by the civic body. The facilities are now located in a small building in Tulsidwar, close to Mahalaxmi.
The initiative has been hailed by urban planners as an example of how to combine civic engagement with heritage conservation. If properly implemented, the project might become an urban anchor, akin to New York’s Central Park’s Great Lawn, according to an architect versed in Mumbai’s heritage planning procedures.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the change will boost foot traffic in the Fort precinct, which will benefit both merchants and tourists. Since improved civic infrastructure around heritage nodes frequently results in higher property values and redevelopment interest in nearby areas, real estate developers are keeping a close eye on the proposal.
Source: Prop News Time
