Ripon Building, Administrative building in Chennai, India.
The Ripon Building is an administrative building in Chennai featuring white-painted walls, tall Ionic and Corinthian columns, and a central tower. It houses multiple government departments, a hall that can seat 500 people, and parking facilities for vehicles.
Built between 1909 and 1913, the structure was designed by architect G.T.S. Harris and named after Lord Ripon, who championed local self-governance. The construction reflected the architectural style of the colonial period and established it as a key administrative center.
The building serves as the headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation, where residents handle their civic matters with municipal staff. It stands as a reminder of how local administration was structured during the colonial period and continues to shape how the city is governed.
The building sits in downtown Chennai and is accessible to visitors during the day. Public areas and the central courtyard are open, though security checks may apply to camera equipment.
The tower contains a Westminster Quarter chiming clock installed in 1913 that still requires daily manual winding through a mechanical key. This old timekeeping system remains one of the few working examples of Victorian clock technology in South India.
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