Let’s set the scene. You’re walking through South Mumbai. One side of the street? Pointy spires, stained glass, and gargoyles. Other side? Rounded balconies, jazz-era curves, and sunburst grills. It’s like Sherlock Holmes and The Great Gatsby are having a staring contest. This is Mumbai’s Oval Maidan stretch — where architecture doesn’t whisper history, it catwalks with it.
The Story – How It All Came Together
Victorian Gothic (Mid to Late 1800s)
In the 19th century, the British said: "We’ll turn Bombay into the Urbs Prima in Indis (First City of India)." So, they brought in architects from London, mixed Gothic Revival with Indian flair, and created buildings that looked like cathedrals in the tropics.
Think:
• Tall pointed arches
• Ornate facades
• Flying buttresses (seriously)
• Stained glass + stone + chhatris (domed kiosks)
All this gave birth to Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic phase.
Art Deco (1930s–1950s)
Then came Independence-era Bombay. India was changing. Jazz, cinema, and modernism arrived.
So architects said:
"Let’s celebrate style and simplicity."
They built apartment blocks and theatres with:
• Curved corners
• Pastel colours
• Sunburst motifs, nautical railings, and eyebrow windows
• Nameplates like “Sea Breeze”, “Palm Grove”, “Windermere”
Thus, Mumbai entered the Art Deco age — and still has the second largest Art Deco collection in the world, after Miami!
What’s in the Ensemble?
Let’s walk through the UNESCO core zone.
Victorian Gothic Highlights (West of Oval Maidan)
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST)
• Formerly Victoria Terminus
• Designed by F.W. Stevens in 1887
• Inspired by St Pancras in London
• Domes, turrets, gargoyles, and Mumbai’s most epic train station
• Still buzzing — 3 million people use it daily!
2. Mumbai University (Rajabai Clock Tower)
• Clock tower inspired by Big Ben
• Carved stonework + stained glass + Indo-Saracenic fusion
• Looks like Hogwarts in a heatwave
3. Bombay High Court
• Flying buttresses + a massive library of legal tomes
• British neo-Gothic with Indian stone
Art Deco Stars (East of Oval Maidan & Marine Drive)
1. Eros Cinema
• Built in 1938
• Red stone curves, massive glass windows
• Once screened the best of Bollywood + Hollywood
• Still a dreamy backdrop
2. Marine Drive Buildings
• Sea-facing apartment blocks like “Soona Mahal”, “Shiv Shanti Bhavan”
• Pastel facades, curved balconies, art deco grills
• Watch them glow gold-orange during sunset — Mumbai’s natural Instagram filter
3. Metro Inox Cinema
• Formerly Metro Cinema
• Built by MGM (Hollywood studio!)
• Clean lines, plush seats, neon art deco vibes
What Makes This UNESCO-Worthy?
Because no other city has these two contrasting global architectural styles so perfectly preserved, still in daily use, and still facing each other across one maidan.
UNESCO said:
“An outstanding example of the cultural fusion of late 19th and early 20th century architecture adapted to the tropical climate and Indian lifestyle.” In other words, Mumbai pulled off an international mashup before mashups were cool.
Best Photo Spots
• Wide-angle from Oval Maidan: Gothic to your left, Deco to your right
• Close-up of Eros Cinema’s curves + red sandstone
• Rajabai Tower during sunset
• Marine Drive during golden hour — pastel buildings + palm trees + sea breeze
Where to Eat While Soaking in the Vibes?
Kala Ghoda Café
Near CST
Best for coffee, sandwiches, Instagram, and hipster spotting
Yazdani Bakery
Fort
Bun maska, Irani chai, old-school ovens
Leopold Café / Mondegar
Colaba
Beer, sizzlers, and legends since the 1800s
And for dessert?
Try a falooda at Badshah (Crawford Market) or a scoop of Naturals Tender Coconut Ice Cream from any corner stall.
How to Reach the Ensemble
Stretch runs from CST to Marine Drive, South Mumbai
By Train:
• CST (Central Line) or Churchgate (Western Line)
• Start walking toward Oval Maidan
By Cab:
• Ask for “CST” or “Marine Drive”
• Ideal for an early morning or post-6pm heritage walk
Entry & Timings
• Most buildings are functional, not museums
• No ticket required to view exteriors
• Best explored via guided heritage walks (Mumbai Magic, Khaki Tours)
Final Thoughts – A Street Where Architecture Tells Two Stories
The Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles are Mumbai’s twin timelines:
• One, when the British built with imperial confidence
• Another, when independent India said, “We’ve got style too, boss”
Today, they still stand — not as frozen relics, but as working, breathing, laughing parts of Mumbai life.
With Nadodigal, we don’t just walk down heritage lanes — we hear footsteps of lawyers, lovers, film stars, and chaiwalas echoing off the stone and concrete.
