A look at: The Bombay Municipal Corporation Building CST Mumbai

The Bombay Municipal Corporation building is another fine example of the British Raj buildings that came into being in 19th century Mumbai. Constructed in 1893, the 255 feet tall Gothic architectural marvel became yet another landmark of ‘Governor Frere’s high Victorian dream’ Town. The building also stands testimony of the importance the English gave to constructing new buildings and civic amenities, in a planned manner. The orders for the construction of the BMC building came soon after the successful completion of the Victoria Terminus station. The Municipal Authority was promoted to the corporation status for its exemplary work, and the building was a just reward to celebrate the same. Though this was a well deserved pat on the authority’s shoulders, a lot of things went back and forth before the building could actually see the first spade go into the earth. Changes in architects, architectural styles and the site for the building itself underwent a change, causing the project to be delayed.

The first architect to design the BMC building was R. F. Chisholm, whose design conformed to the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. The form perhaps did not match the preferences of the decision makers. And F. W. Stevens was awarded the project. (Stevens was one of the most acclaimed architects of that time, who also had to his credit the design of the Victoria Terminus station).

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