July 7, 2025: Mumbai’s heritage restoration movement has received a vibrant boost with the revival of Palm Court, a celebrated Art Deco building overlooking the Oval Maidan. Now adorned in elegant hues of cream, plum, and salmon pink, the building adds a fresh yet authentic touch to the city’s famed Art Deco streetscape.
The colour palette was proposed by Art Deco Mumbai Trust (ADMT), a group dedicated to documenting and preserving Mumbai’s architectural legacy. Since no original photographs existed to guide the restoration, the Trust suggested tints inspired by classical Art Deco styles. “They had done stellar work in advising different buildings on what to restore and maintain. They have the knowledge and historical reference,” said Padmini Mirchandani, resident of Palm Court and committee member of the Oval Cooperage Residents Association. “We are very happy; we love it.”
Built in the 1930s and now a cessed property under the pagdi tenancy system, Palm Court was restored with involvement from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). Atul Kumar, founder-trustee of ADMT, noted the brief was to preserve architectural authenticity. As piecemeal repairs had stripped some original features, the team reinterpreted Art Deco elements—such as remounting AC units onto custom window grilles inspired by the original metalwork—to balance aesthetics and modern needs.
Palm Court’s revival coincides with the 100-year celebration of the Art Deco movement. Mumbai, home to the world’s second-largest Art Deco collection after Miami, continues to lead conservation efforts, with recent restorations also seen at iconic landmarks like Eros Cinema.
Source: The Free Press Journal
