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| former_names = Whiteway & Laidlaw department store | | former_names = Whiteway & Laidlaw department store | ||
| alternate_names = | | alternate_names = | ||
| status = Used as a residential and | | status = Used as a residential and commercial building | ||
| image = File:Metropolitan Building, Esplanade Kolkata ( | | image = File:Metropolitan Building, Esplanade Kolkata (Original).jpg | ||
| image_alt = | | image_alt = | ||
| image_size = 250px | | image_size = 250px | ||
| caption = Metropolitan Building in [[Esplanade, Kolkata]], from the [[Chowringhee]] Crossing | | caption = Metropolitan Building in [[Esplanade, Kolkata]], from the [[Chowringhee]] Crossing | ||
| | | pushpin_map = | ||
| | | pushpin_map_alt = | ||
| map_caption = | | map_caption = | ||
| altitude = 9.509 m | | altitude = 9.509 m | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
| client = | | client = | ||
| owner = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] | | owner = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] | ||
| current_tenants = | | current_tenants = Life Insurance Corporation of India; also houses many offices and stores such as [[Big Bazaar]] and the Central Cottage Industry Showroom | ||
| landlord = | | landlord = | ||
| location = | | location = | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
| coordinates = {{coord|22.5637|88.3516|display=inline,title}} | | coordinates = {{coord|22.5637|88.3516|display=inline,title}} | ||
| groundbreaking_date = | | groundbreaking_date = | ||
| | | construction_start_date = 1905 | ||
| completion_date = | | completion_date = | ||
| opened_date = | | opened_date = | ||
| inauguration_date = | | inauguration_date = | ||
| renovation_date = | | renovation_date = | ||
| | | demolished_date = | ||
| destruction_date = | | destruction_date = | ||
| height = | | height = | ||
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| ren_oth_designers = | | ren_oth_designers = | ||
| ren_qty_surveyor = | | ren_qty_surveyor = | ||
| ren_awards = | | ren_awards = | ||
| parking = | | parking = | ||
| website = | | website = [http://www.wmf.org/project/metropolitan-building Website] | ||
| embedded = | | embedded = | ||
| references = | | references = | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Metropolitan Building''' is | The '''Metropolitan Building''' is a commercial building on [[Chowringhee Road]] in [[Kolkata]] near [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]]. It is located near the [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata|Shaheed Minar]] and the [[Grand Hotel (Calcutta)|Grand Hotel]] and is just opposite of the new [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade Metro Station]]. Formerly known as the [[Whiteaway Laidlaw]] department store, it was a famous department store in [[Calcutta]] during the [[British Rule]] in India. It is one of the first departmental store in India. This neo-baroque emporium—with domes, a clock tower and arched recessed windows—exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in [[British India]]. | ||
The building was built in 1905. | The building was built in 1905. After Independence, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership against a borrower default and named the building, so people know it more commonly as the Metropolitan Building. | ||
In 1956, Metropolitan Insurance was nationalised under the Life Insurance Act of parliament and the LIC took over the company and its assets from its owning family, the Bhattacharyas. The family continued adverse occupation of a large part of the building for years after the acquisition, and appealed to the courts over the next three generations until all claimants had died. The LIC eventually obtained full possession and is the current owner.<ref>{{cite book|title=INTACH (Guide to Kolkata)|year=2009|publisher=INTACH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Preserving Kolkata's Heritage Buildings|url=http://www.maamatimanush.tv/articles.php?aid=233|access-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101140408/http://www.maamatimanush.tv/articles.php?aid=233|archive-date=1 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
The building was built in 1905. | The building was built in 1905. | ||
After Independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building.[[File:ChowringhrrKolkata1945.jpg|thumb|left|The building's clock tower seen at the end of the photo taken in [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade, Calcutta]] in 1945]] | After Independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building as the building also housed the Metropolitan Bank, another family-owned financial enterprise.[[File:ChowringhrrKolkata1945.jpg|thumb|left|The building's clock tower seen at the end of the photo taken in [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade, Calcutta]] in 1945]] | ||
===Renovation=== | ===Renovation=== | ||
The building was restored by the [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] (LIC). | The building was restored by the [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] (LIC). It still houses a commercial complex.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-16/kolkata/33879967_1_heritage-buildings-heritage-conservation-committee-heritage-structure|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102004454/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-16/kolkata/33879967_1_heritage-buildings-heritage-conservation-committee-heritage-structure|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2014|title=History can mean big business too|last=Ray|first=Saikat|date=16 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> The building was freshly repainted with white and golden paint. Its exterior structure was also renovated, and extensive changes were made within. | ||
==Features== | ==Features== | ||
It is a large building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. | It is a large beautiful building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. There is rustication in the ground floor and a semicircular arched arcade in the first floor. The facade is punctuated by a series of projected and pedimented bays with plain columns and [[Corinthia]]n capitals.<ref>{{cite web|last=Datta |first=Rangan |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/rangan-datta/4372075577/ |title=Metropolitan Building, Esplanade, Calcutta | Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery class="center" caption="Metropolitan Building | <gallery class="center" caption="Metropolitan Building gallery" widths="125px" heights="100px" perrow="4"> | ||
File:Metropolitan Building - Esplanade - Kolkata 2011-12-18 0026.JPG|Metropolitan Building in [[Esplanade, Kolkata]] after | File:Metropolitan Building - Esplanade - Kolkata 2011-12-18 0026.JPG|Metropolitan Building in [[Esplanade, Kolkata]] after a recent renovation | ||
File:Whiteways and Laidlaw Building.jpg|The | File:Whiteways and Laidlaw Building.jpg|The building under renovation | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Latest revision as of 08:06, 20 March 2026
| Metropolitan Building | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata, from the Chowringhee Crossing | |
Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata, from the Chowringhee Crossing | |
| Former names | Whiteway & Laidlaw department store |
| General information | |
| Status | Used as a residential and commercial building |
| Address | 7, Chowringhee Road |
| Town or city | Kolkata |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 22°33′49″N 88°21′06″E / 22.5637°N 88.3516°E |
| Elevation | 9.509 m |
| Current tenants | Life Insurance Corporation of India; also houses many offices and stores such as Big Bazaar and the Central Cottage Industry Showroom |
| Construction started | 1905 |
| Owner | Life Insurance Corporation of India |
| Website | |
| Website | |
The Metropolitan Building is a commercial building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. It is located near the Shaheed Minar and the Grand Hotel and is just opposite of the new Esplanade Metro Station. Formerly known as the Whiteaway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule in India. It is one of the first departmental store in India. This neo-baroque emporium—with domes, a clock tower and arched recessed windows—exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India.
The building was built in 1905. After Independence, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership against a borrower default and named the building, so people know it more commonly as the Metropolitan Building.
In 1956, Metropolitan Insurance was nationalised under the Life Insurance Act of parliament and the LIC took over the company and its assets from its owning family, the Bhattacharyas. The family continued adverse occupation of a large part of the building for years after the acquisition, and appealed to the courts over the next three generations until all claimants had died. The LIC eventually obtained full possession and is the current owner.[1][2]
History[edit | edit source]
The building was built in 1905.
After Independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building as the building also housed the Metropolitan Bank, another family-owned financial enterprise.
Renovation[edit | edit source]
The building was restored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). It still houses a commercial complex.[3] The building was freshly repainted with white and golden paint. Its exterior structure was also renovated, and extensive changes were made within.
Features[edit | edit source]
It is a large beautiful building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. There is rustication in the ground floor and a semicircular arched arcade in the first floor. The facade is punctuated by a series of projected and pedimented bays with plain columns and Corinthian capitals.[4]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
- Metropolitan Building gallery
-
Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata after a recent renovation -
The building under renovation
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ INTACH (Guide to Kolkata). INTACH. 2009.
- ↑ "Preserving Kolkata's Heritage Buildings". Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ↑ Ray, Saikat (16 September 2012). "History can mean big business too". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ↑ Datta, Rangan. "Metropolitan Building, Esplanade, Calcutta | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
External links[edit | edit source]
| Colonial | |
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| Geographical | |
| Religious places | |
| Cultural |  |
| Boulevards |  |
| Shopping |  |
| Parks, riverfront, zoos and stadiums |  |
