New India Assurance Building, Art Deco office building in Fort district, Mumbai, India.
The New India Assurance Building is a six-story office structure in the Art Deco style located in Mumbai's Fort district. Its facade features pronounced vertical ribs and detailed bas-relief carvings depicting scenes of everyday Indian life.
The building was designed in 1937 by architects Master, Sathe and Bhuta for New India Assurance Company, then India's first fully Indian-owned insurance corporation. Its construction marked an important milestone for independent Indian business enterprise during that period.
The building displays Indian imagery through detailed reliefs showing people in traditional dress engaged in farming and crafts. These sculptures connect the modern architectural style with local traditions and tell stories of everyday life during that era.
The building is accessed directly from the street with clearly marked entrances on its main facade. Since it remains an active office building, visitors can appreciate the external architecture and entrance areas where the design details are most visible.
The eastern and western sides of the building feature protective projections that shield windows from direct sunlight, showing early awareness of climate-responsive design. This thoughtful detail was uncommon in the 1930s and demonstrates design thinking beyond mere aesthetics.
Location: Maharashtra
Architectural style: Art Deco
GPS coordinates: 18.93042,72.83165
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
Art Deco shaped cities from the early 1920s through the late 1930s. The style combines geometric patterns, metallic surfaces, and decorative ornament with functional architecture. Buildings display characteristic vertical lines, stepped forms, and symmetrical facades. The Chrysler Building in New York and Marine Building in Vancouver demonstrate the height and elegance of the style in skyscrapers. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris and Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest show its cultural applications. The Hoover Building in London and Daily Express Building in Manchester represent commercial architecture of the era. Cincinnati Union Terminal, Warner Theatre in Washington, and Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles document the style's popularity in public buildings. The reach extended worldwide. Edificio Bacardi in Havana, Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires, and New India Assurance Building in Mumbai show regional interpretations. Villa Empain and Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Municipal House in Prague, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, and Universum Kino in Berlin document European and Asian presence. Tiong Bahru Estate in Singapore demonstrates the application to residential developments. The Miami Design Preservation League preserves one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings in the United States. This collection includes public, private, and commercial structures that document the movement's international influence.
Bombay High Court
152 m
Elphinstone College
372 m
Jehangir Art Gallery
330 m
Bombay House
154 m
Dalal Street
185 m
Watson's Hotel
243 m
Rajabai Clock Tower
195 m
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
178 m
Flora Fountain
232 m
Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers
220 m
David Sassoon Library
278 m
Knesset Eliyahoo
271 m
University Library, Mumbai
177 m
Convocation Hall, University of Mumbai
185 m
Great Western Building
292 m
Coomaraswamy Hall (Prince of Wales Museum)
384 m
Army & Navy Building
291 m
Queen's Court
383 m
Motabhoy Mansion
390 m
Rajesh Mansion
389 m
Swastik Court
385 m
City Civil & Sessions Court
352 m
Fairlawn
398 m
HSBC Bank Main Branch Mumbai branch
124 m
Windsor House
385 m
Oriental Building, Mumbai
336 m
Bank Of India Mumbai (main) branch
76 m
Public Works Department building
229 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes