Buckley Court

Buckley Court is one of the most contentious heritage projects in the city of Mumbai. Previously called Buckley Court Hotel, it was built on the then newly developed Cuffe Parade seafront. The imposing mansion enjoyed a distinct Moorish influence with wooden verandas, jalis, elegant domes and intricate stonework. It was one of the few remaining examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in Mumbai, yet this piece of architectural legacy was totally neglected. The design brief to the architect was to revive this quaint but run down structure to its original glory and further propose a new residential development. The heritage committee had initially proposed a low-rise scheme that integrated with the old structure. The architect felt that this approach did not respect the old structure nor did it give an identity to the new development. Moreover, with a low-rise scheme, only a part of the old building would have been visible and the entire architectural charm of the old structure would have been lost. Based on these beliefs a new design envisaging a much taller building compared to the earlier proposal, which left the intermediate floors bare to create a neutral backdrop for the old structure, was submitted to the heritage committee for approval. The old building was further illuminated to emphasise its importance. The residential tower includes duplexes and its living spaces enjoy a panoramic view of the Island City and the ocean. This would not have been possible if the earlier proposal was accepted, as it would have been difficult to derive good light, ventilation and views from a low rise development within the rather congested precinct of the city. Decks have been provided on all sides of the building and the trapezoidal shaped plan is virtually derived out of the tight demarcations of the site boundaries.