Lakshmi Building, Art Deco commercial building at Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road intersection, Karachi, Pakistan.
Lakshmi Building is a 1930s-style structure located at the intersection of Muhammad Ali Jinnah Road and Aiwan-e-Tijarat Road in Karachi's Mithadar district. Red bricks imported from Jaipur form its distinctive facade, while the building features a prominent clock tower and houses multiple commercial floors throughout its height.
The building was constructed in 1938 by Hindustan Construction Company and held the distinction of being Karachi's tallest structure for 17 years. This status ended in 1955 when another structure surpassed it in height.
The structure took its name from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, whose statue once crowned the roofline. This naming reflects the diverse communities that shaped Karachi during the colonial period.
The corner location at a major road intersection makes this site easy to find and ensures constant foot traffic throughout the day. Multiple access points on different sides facilitate movement between the building and surrounding business districts with minimal hassle.
The structure contains one of the first iron elevators ever installed in Karachi, representing engineering innovation from the 1930s era. This early example of modern vertical transportation technology gives the building a special place in the city's development.
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