Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Area code 022 | Metro Mumbai PIN 400001 | |
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Ballard estate the hidden secret
Ballard Estate is an old European style business district situated in south Mumbai next to Fort. Located between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) and Fort of South Mumbai, it hosts the offices of shipping companies and the headquarters of the Mumbai Port Trust at the Port House. It also has the Reliance Centre and many mid-priced hotels and noted Irani cafe, Britannia.
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Overview
The Bombay Port Trust reclaimed 22 acres (89,000 m2) of land at Ballard Estate between 1914 and 1918, using material excavated from the Alexandra Docks for filling. Ballard Estate was named for Colonel J. A. Ballard, a founder of Mumbai Port Trust, which constructed the port and Ballard Pier. George Wittet designed the buildings for the business district, imposing a uniformity of style and design through the use of European Renaissance facades. As it is built in the Edwardian neoclassical architecture, it has a "London feel" to it and is often referred to as "London-like" by the locals.
A plan to relieve congestion, conserve the structures and enliven the historic area under the auspices of the Heritage Conservation Committee has been proposed.