Mumbai's not-so-hidden architectural gem:
Security personnel at the Framjee Dinshaw Petit Parsi Sanatorium in Kemps Corner (south Mumbai) told me to leave when I sauntered inside the majestic property on a recent afternoon. They informed me that the premises were now uninhabited and prevented me from entering this magnificent but forsaken edifice, designed to resemble, perchance, a French Chateau.
Constructed in 1902 to provisionally accommodate impoverished Parsis in the aftermath of the catastrophic plague in Mumbai, the sanatorium served as a transitory residence for community members over the subsequent century. "Observe the impressive macro scale of this dignified landmark… At the micro level, one can discern a 'Coat of Arms' of the Petit family in the circular crest on the pediment above the grand porch. Situated in close proximity to the community's other social amenities, The Parsee General Hospital and the Tower of Silence at Doongerwadi, it was well-utilized," states architect Harshad Bhatia.
Approximately three decades prior, a portion of this expansive property was allocated to Tata Housing for the construction of a luxury residential tower. The sanatorium, presently in a dilapidated condition, is situated on one of the most valuable parcels of land in the nation. Will it be demolished and relinquished to a developer?