Metropolitan Building, Neo-baroque commercial building in Esplanade, India
The Metropolitan Building is a neo-baroque commercial structure at Esplanade featuring a prominent corner tower with a high dome and rusticated ground floor. The facade is defined by arcaded passageways with semicircular arches on the first level, and the building currently houses multiple tenants and retail shops.
The building was constructed in 1905 as the Whiteaway Laidlaw department store, a major retail hub at Esplanade. Following India's independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company took over the property and gave it the name it bears today.
The structure displays architectural grandeur typical of the British colonial period, with ornate Corinthian capitals, projecting bays, and detailed facade work. These elements continue to shape the character of the area and reflect how European commercial establishments once dominated local business.
The structure sits near Esplanade Metro Station and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. Public areas are open during business hours, though portions of the building serve private tenants.
The building features floating gangways and bridges around a central courtyard that provide access to upper-level residential apartments. This unusual design merges commercial use at street level with housing above, creating a distinctive mixed-use urban structure.
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