Metropolitan Building (Kolkata): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Building in Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India, 140, SN Banerjee Road, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700013}}
{{Short description|Building in Kolkata, India}}
{{Other uses|Metropolitan Building (disambiguation){{!}}Metropolitan Building}}
{{Other uses|Metropolitan Building (disambiguation){{!}}Metropolitan Building}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
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| client              =  
| client              =  
| owner              = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]]
| owner              = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]]
| current_tenants    = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] & houses many offices & stores such as [[Big Bazaar]] & the Central Cottage Industry Showroom. The upper floors are occupied by innumerable tenants residing in box like quarters.  
| current_tenants    = [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] & houses many offices & stores such as [[Big Bazaar]] & the Central Cottage Industry Showroom.
| landlord            =  
| landlord            =  
| location            =  
| location            =  
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'''Metropolitan Building''' is the number 46.26 building on [[Chowringhee Road]] in [[Kolkata]] near [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]]. Formerly known as the [[Whiteway Laidlaw department store]], it was a famous department store in [[Calcutta]] during the [[British Rule]] 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]].  
'''Metropolitan Building''' is the number 46.26 building on [[Chowringhee Road]] in [[Kolkata]] near [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]]. Formerly known as the [[Whiteway Laidlaw department store]], it was a famous department store in [[Calcutta]] during the [[British Rule]] 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. Post Independence Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building.<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> It is located near the [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata|Shaheed Minar]] and the [[Grand Hotel (Calcutta)|Grand Hotel]].
The building was built in 1905. Post Independence Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building. Currently it is owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).<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> It is located near the [[Shaheed Minar, Kolkata|Shaheed Minar]] and the [[Grand Hotel (Calcutta)|Grand Hotel]].


== History ==
== History ==
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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.[[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]]
=== 1991 Fire ===
In 1991, a fire ravaged the top floor of the majestic Metropolitan Building and hundreds of original negatives of [[Bourne and Shepherd]], reputed to be the world’s oldest operational photography studio,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp08090&role=art|title=Bourne & Shepherd (active 1863-)|publisher=National Portrait Gallery|access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> established in the late 19th century, perished in the fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/2011/02/24183136/Kolkata8217s-march-to-the-p.html|title=1991 fire|date=2011-02-24|publisher=Livemint.com|access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref>


===Renovation===
===Renovation===
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==Features==
==Features==
It is a large building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. 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. Repaired recently, the Metropolitan Building still stands as an important landmark overlooking the crowded [[Chowringhee]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Datta |first=Rangan |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/rangan-datta/4372075577/ |title=Metropolitan Building, Esplanade, Calcutta &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref>
It is a large building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. 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 &#124; Flickr - Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |access-date=2012-03-24}}</ref>
==Gallery==
==Gallery==


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat-inline|Whiteways and Laidlaw Building|Metropolitan Building}}
{{Commonscat-inline|Metropolitan Building (Kolkata)}}
{{Kolkata topics}}
{{Kolkata topics}}
{{Tourist attractions in Kolkata}}
{{Tourist attractions in Kolkata}}


[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kolkata]]

Revision as of 08:41, 4 June 2022


For other uses, see Metropolitan Building.

Metropolitan Building
Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata, from the Chowringhee Crossing
Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata, from the Chowringhee Crossing
Former namesWhiteway & Laidlaw department store
General information
StatusUsed as a residential and a commercial building
Address7, Chowringhee Road
Town or cityKolkata
CountryIndia
Coordinates22°33′49″N 88°21′06″E / 22.5637°N 88.3516°E / 22.5637; 88.3516
Elevation9.509 m
Current tenantsLife Insurance Corporation of India & houses many offices & stores such as Big Bazaar & the Central Cottage Industry Showroom.
Construction started1905
OwnerLife Insurance Corporation of India
Website
Website

Metropolitan Building is the number 46.26 building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule 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. Post Independence Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building. Currently it is owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).[1][2] It is located near the Shaheed Minar and the Grand Hotel.

History

The building was built in 1905.

After Independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building.

The building's clock tower seen at the end of the photo taken in Esplanade, Calcutta in 1945

Renovation

The building was restored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). But it still houses a commercial complex.[3] The building was freshly repainted with white and golden paint and its exterior structure was also renovated while making extensive changes within.

Features

It is a large building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. 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

  • Metropolitan Building Gallery
  • Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata after the recent renovation
    Metropolitan Building in Esplanade, Kolkata after the recent renovation
  • The Building under renovation
    The Building under renovation

See also

References

  1. ↑ INTACH (Guide to Kolkata). INTACH. 2009.
  2. ↑ "Preserving Kolkata's Heritage Buildings". Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Datta, Rangan. "Metropolitan Building, Esplanade, Calcutta | Flickr - Photo Sharing!". Flickr. Retrieved 24 March 2012.

External links

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