August 7, 2025: Mumbai’s iconic 140-year-old Mahalaxmi Racecourse is poised for a futuristic transformation that promises to preserve its historic essence while introducing world-class sporting infrastructure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled plans for a two-level underground complex beneath the expansive greens, which will feature an Olympic-standard sports facility. The amenities will include a 400-metre athletics track, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and more.
Designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, the complex will incorporate skylights and open moats to ensure natural light and ventilation throughout the underground structure. Above ground, the racecourse itself will remain under the stewardship of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), while the surrounding 120 acres are set to be reimagined as a dynamic public space.
The surface-level revamp will include a sprawling 63-acre topiary garden, complete with educational herb zones. An additional 13.6 acres will be designated for open-air concerts and public events, while 11.6 acres will be preserved as urban forest, ensuring the protection of existing trees. There are also plans to construct an indoor arena to facilitate year-round, weatherproof programming.
Beneath the surface, the two-tier complex will house not only the Olympic-grade sports facilities but also a vast parking structure capable of accommodating up to 5,000 vehicles. This underground car park will be directly linked to the city’s freeway system for seamless access.
Hafeez Contractor has described the initiative as more than just infrastructure development, calling it a “legacy project”. He noted that Mumbai has long lacked high-quality training facilities and highlighted the importance of merging heritage preservation with modern design. The project, he added, aims to nurture future sporting champions while enhancing the city’s recreational landscape.
Source: Knock Sense
