Mumbai Discussions

[jubin]

Originally Posted by devendra1

I don't like the so called art deco or pheko buildings at all. It looks out of time. Only few buildings like CST, BMC, or Taj are worth to be called heritage. If I was a mayor I would have ordered for redevelopment of entire area including NP, with min 70 floors height with broad raods. This area is show case of Modern India and we need some really tall buildings there.

Originally Posted by MeMumbaikar

yeah and some of the residents there have their own potted plants which eventually leave a stream of mud when they water it.

Having said that its the same where i live. I guess some people are just too dumb or dont care to realise that it ruins the building.

some art deco.

bombaydeco

[avishar]

Modern India does not mean 70 floor buildings!Why does everyone equate modernity with highrises?

If that was the case Paris,London and most of the european cities would have been covered by only skyscrapers by now.

Modernity means improving the environment we live in,the standard of living,world class infrastructural facilities,not only the creation of highrises but also that of parks,conservation of heritage buildings,reduction of poverty and slums.

[FrankPanaMan]

Well... guess its more 2 do with the desire and craving of Indians to have more modern hi rises in India as a statement..

India has no dearth of Heritage or Historic architecture but some really beautiful hi rises won't hurt any1 and just 2 show to the world that we can also build such structures like what China,Singapore or d Arabs have done...

Those cities u have mentioned also are planning n in fact building a few striking hi rises there too...so there's no harm for us in having a few considering the Population n land availability in dense cities..

[Bombay Boy]

heritage regulations were introduced in the 90s

like i said marine drive buildings are not individually heritage, they can be broken down and rebuilt. but the area has to maintain the character, much like what the intercontinental hotel was asked to do. if you are not someone who appreciates architecture thats fine. not everyone is able to see the finer things in life. but the heritage regulations were introduced after forming a committee of eminent architects and historians

this whole argument about rent control giving broken down buildings is not valid for marine drive. most of them are pretty well maintained and are painted every 2-3 years. the extreriors for some may look grimy since they dont even last one monsoon on marine drive, but thats normal for any sea-facing building in bombay

besides rent control is a seperate argument. if someone is really interested in pursuing it they should be concentrating on the really run down parts of bombay like the vast bazaars near jumma masjid, mohammad ali road, parel, etc

and this whole mentality of every area needing high-rises and how we need so many glass skyscrapers is quite frankly stupid. i am guessing most of the people espousing this dont live in bombay and dont even live in glassy skyscrapers themselves. people living here want a better quality of life, they are not really bothered about how somebody living in another country feels when he turns on his computer monitor

[devendra1]

Originally Posted by Bombay Boy

heritage regulations were introduced in the 90s

like i said marine drive buildings are not individually heritage, they can be broken down and rebuilt. but the area has to maintain the character, much like what the intercontinental hotel was asked to do. if you are not someone who appreciates architecture thats fine. not everyone is able to see the finer things in life. but the heritage regulations were introduced after forming a committee of eminent architects and historians

this whole argument about rent control giving broken down buildings is not valid for marine drive. most of them are pretty well maintained and are painted every 2-3 years. the extreriors for some may look grimy since they dont even last one monsoon on marine drive, but thats normal for any sea-facing building in bombay

besides rent control is a seperate argument. if someone is really interested in pursuing it they should be concentrating on the really run down parts of bombay like the vast bazaars near jumma masjid, mohammad ali road, parel, etc

and this whole mentality of every area needing high-rises and how we need so many glass skyscrapers is quite frankly stupid. i am guessing most of the people espousing this dont live in bombay and dont even live in glassy skyscrapers themselves. people living here want a better quality of life, they are not really bothered about how somebody living in another country feels when he turns on his computer monitor

Agree that the feel of the area should be maintained. Lot of buildings are quiet old and don't look that good. People may call them art deco but I do not find them appealing. Instead why not rebuilt something which represents Indian architecture (something which represents palaces etc) but something distinct Indian.

[devendra1]

Originally Posted by Yagya

The amount of ignorance in this comment is just shocking.

Statement may be exaggerated. I was annoyed with the fact that even if the developer is telling that the design of the building is such that it will not look out of place, other people in that area have problems when the residents of the building themselves want it to be redeveloped. And you tell me how long these buildings are going to survive ? Sooner or later redevelopment is needed.
And If you ask me I do not like those so called art deco buildings there, though we can redevelop it to something which represents Indian architecture with Highrises

[Yagya]

You're comments still show ignorance. It doesn't matter if you like art deco or not. If I say I do not like the temple architecture of Varanasi Ghats should we destroy them? and enough of this shit about Indian architecture. The house you probably live in is not even an example of indian architecture so stop expecting other buildings to showcase "indian architecture" and as evident from your comments you don't know that indian art deco incorporates indian elements in it. Do some research and get out of your indian this indian that mentality. I've seen your other comments in the Delhi section as well but didn't comment as it would have de railed the whole thread. But at least have some sense while making comments? you say art deco is out of time well fuck yeah that's why its heritage as we won't have many buildings built in this style now. These buildings reflect Mumbai's past and how it has developed over time. What irritated me further was the fact that according to you only certain buildings such as the CST etc are heritage? well don't they look out of time? should they not be torn down? that's why I say have some sense.

[hardcore gamer]

I my self am not a huge fan of art deco, but art deco buildings are surley of importance in mumbai especially Marine Drive. Just think about it if marine drive was not like the way it s today what might have been there? Art deco gives Marine drive a lot of significance in South Mumbai and is one of the few areas in mumbai besides slum area where the whole land area is not dominated by high rise. we should keep it that way. Heck just redevelop marine lines or like Bombay Boy said redevelop mohamod ali road. Sure the buildings in Marine drive are not the most maintained in the world, but if you ever visit marine drive the atmosphere and the whole feeling is just different as opposed to being in appollo Bandar or Juhu for that matter. hope the guy who says we need tall buildings in marine drive does not really feel that way.

[Bombay Boy]

Originally Posted by devendra1

I was annoyed with the fact that even if the developer is telling that the design of the building is such that it will not look out of place

err, the problem is that it WILL look out of place. he can rebuild it, but it has to be the same height as the rest. he wants to make it twice as tall as the rest. it will stick out like a sore thumb

even the wankhede stadium and intercontinental hotel were not allowed to go above the height limit. why the love for a builder?

[Coolguyz]

Even Marine Plaza Hotel which was actually an art deco building earlier is beautifully restored to what it is today.And people have wrong assumptions that people here live on rent and are dont maintain their buildings well. Infact they are the original rich inhabitants of the city and are well maintained and not wannabes like some in the suburbs. If they wanted to, they could have even let those cell cos install those ugly towers on top of the buildings and that way they wont even had to pay monthly maintaince charges, but they dont. These buidlings are one thing that differentiates other cities from Mumbai. will soon click pictures as to show how good some of them look.

[dreadathecontrols]

Originally Posted by Yagya

The amount of ignorance in this comment is just shocking.

[devendra1]

Originally Posted by Yagya

What irritated me further was the fact that according to you only certain buildings such as the CST etc are heritage? well don't they look out of time? should they not be torn down? that's why I say have some sense.

Come on CST is world heritage site and just see its Architecture. Its way above Art deco buildings. I do not like Art Deco Buildings its my personal Opinion.
Now comming to Indian Architecture. I know my house is not according to Indian Architecture, If you ask why this place - because there is no other place better than Marine Drive as its a show piece to the world.
So I felt there should be some distinct architecture which represents something Indian yet High rises . If you see the Buildings in WallStreet NY or London lot of the buildings have Roman Architecture. Do we have anything of that sort in our main cities. This was the thought process behind the comment of Indian Architecture.
And I have thought well before making the comment. Hope this time its clear - If this still does not make sense to you or you are still getting irritated I can't help.

[Yagya]

Yes but that's your personal opinion for me CST or Art Deco buildings both have their own respective place in Mumbai's history. Just because in your opinion CST is superior to art deco doesn't mean that art deco buildings should be dismantled.

And what is this shit about show casing it to the world? there are other places in Mumbai and India to "showcase" For this false pride we shouldn't be dismantling our heritage. Not to forget the other impacts of building high rises.

And yes if you look closely we do have our own architecture in our main cities but its rotting but no one gives a shit about that.

[devendra1]

done stopping here

[Yagya]

*sigh*

why don't you guys just go and live in Shanghai or Dubai or New York? If you're so eager for glass towers in which you lot probably wouldn't live but would just like them so you can boast about them. Slowly tear down everything. Make Mumbai full of glass buildings but do you not think the city will loose its identity? when India will become developed and glass towers will be common in Mumbai then you'll realise the value of these structures. These structures make Mumbai different. They are living history. By tearing them down and building a tall skyscraper it you're trying to wipe the history of Mumbai of the 20s, 30s and 40s. These structures are an example of the prosperity of those times. They tell us that "Bombay" was such a main city in that era that it has the latest designs of building. Mumbai is not that small that Marine Drive is the only place where we can build skyscrapers. Yes I agree that these structures may not be in the best conditions but there will be a day when somebody will be able to afford to renovate them. Maybe the government it self will take a step forward. Why not try and help towards that? It is sad that Mumbai and other cities and towns of India are losing their architectural identity. And it is even more sad to see people supporting this defacement of their own city because somehow having a cluster of skyscrapers is more advanced then being able to think logically and protect your past as well as build a new future.

[avishar]

I kind of quite like it alone right there.Gives a powerful image, a ready identity to the city.

And nothing wrong with the art deco lowrises,gives a nice contrast.Either ways whats the use of doing what everybody's doing.Mumbai should do something different!(and it is!)

[India101]

Originally Posted by Naga_Solidus

Are there any unworthy lowrises in the vicinity that can be demolished for some supertalls?

There is plently. Almost all of the Girgaum Chowpatty area is dilapidated old chawls on narrow congested lanes. Now they are redeveloping some of them. Here is some by Shreepati Group named Jewels.

[bhargavsura]

Originally Posted by Yagya

*sigh*

why don't you guys just go and live in Shanghai or Dubai or New York? If you're so eager for glass towers in which you lot probably wouldn't live but would just like them so you can boast about them. Slowly tear down everything. Make Mumbai full of glass buildings but do you not think the city will loose its identity? when India will become developed and glass towers will be common in Mumbai then you'll realise the value of these structures. These structures make Mumbai different. They are living history. By tearing them down and building a tall skyscraper it you're trying to wipe the history of Mumbai of the 20s, 30s and 40s. These structures are an example of the prosperity of those times. They tell us that "Bombay" was such a main city in that era that it has the latest designs of building. Mumbai is not that small that Marine Drive is the only place where we can build skyscrapers. Yes I agree that these structures may not be in the best conditions but there will be a day when somebody will be able to afford to renovate them. Maybe the government it self will take a step forward. Why not try and help towards that? It is sad that Mumbai and other cities and towns of India are losing their architectural identity. And it is even more sad to see people supporting this defacement of their own city because somehow having a cluster of skyscrapers is more advanced then being able to think logically and protect your past as well as build a new future.

Move on dude. Things will keep changing.

[dreadathecontrols]

wilfred owen was gay

[Yagya]

Originally Posted by bhargavsura

Move on dude. Things will keep changing.

No I will not move on.