Watson's Hotel (Esplanade Mansion), Kala Ghoda Mumbai
About
India's oldest surviving cast-iron building, Watson's Hotel is a remarkable piece of Victorian engineering. Though now in a state of disrepair, it remains an important heritage structure.
Basic Information
Timings
External viewing anytime
Entry Fee
External viewing only
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
Place Type
Heritage
How to Reach
Walk from CST or Churchgate station
By Metro:
The nearest metro station is Hutatma Chowk (0.3 km away) on the Line 3.
By Local Train:
The nearest local train station is Churchgate (0.6 km away) on the Western Line.
Nearby Metro Stations
Metro stations within 5 km of Watson's Hotel (Esplanade Mansion), Kala Ghoda
Nearby Local Train Stations
Local train stations within 3 km of Watson's Hotel (Esplanade Mansion), Kala Ghoda
History
Built in 1869 by architect Rowland Mason Ordish using pre-fabricated cast-iron components shipped from England. It was Mumbai's most luxurious hotel and the site of the Lumière Brothers' first film screening in India (1896).
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening Hours
External viewing anytime
Entry Fee
External viewing only
Type
Heritage
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Accessible via local trains to Malad station, short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride
The first cinema screening in India took place here in 1896
The entire building was pre-fabricated in England and assembled in Mumbai
It was one of the first buildings in India to have an elevator
The building is in a fragile state - view from the street
Historical photographs of the hotel can be seen at the Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Important for understanding Mumbai's colonial-era engineering
Nearby Attractions
Other popular places to visit near Watson's Hotel (Esplanade Mansion), Kala Ghoda
David Sassoon Library & Reading Room
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Trishna, Kala Ghoda (Fort)
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Fashion Street
Shopping
Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk)
Monument
Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk), Fort
Landmark
Victorian Gothic & Art Deco Ensemble (UNESCO Site)
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St. Thomas Cathedral, Fort
Religious
St. Thomas Cathedral
Religious
Mumbai's Victorian & Art Deco Heritage Trail (Full Route)
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Bollywood Film Location Heritage Walk
Experience