"The Sahyadri Guest House rises like a royal residence, with ruby red roofs and wide balconies overlooking its green environs"

The Sahyadri Guest House, a historic bungalow at Malabar Hill, Mumbai, blends functionality and aesthetics. Before World War II, two identical bungalows sat on the plot which belonged to two Parsi brothers. Without any claimants, this was then turned into the state guest house, but was in need of renovation. IMK Architects (formerly known as I.M. Kadri Architects) was tasked with renovating the 10,910-sq.m complex and include 20 residential rooms, a Cabinet meeting room, conference rooms, lecture and banquet halls. Completed in 1994, the guest house was designed to stay true to the colonial bungalow and represent Maharashtra’s cultural and regional tenets, giving it a grandeur befitting the state. Thoughtful design and planning added a sophisticated elegance and grandeur to the guest house. 

With sloping terracotta tiled roofs, decorative arches and windows and other such traditional architectural elements, the guest house is a nod to the historical Wada House of Maharashtra. These motifs play out in the shades and shadows of the built form to create a dynamic appeal. The driveway leading to the guest house culminates in a sweeping staircase and porch, while an entrance portal that takes cues from the woodwork and workmanship of Wadas, welcomes visitors. The entrance lobby, tastefully done with an intricate ceiling composed of carved wooden beams and a magnificent chandelier to create a lavish foyer for the surrounding conference and banquet rooms. Adjoining this are, sea-facing alcoves that serve as private sit outs for relaxation and rejuvenation. With its treasure trove of intricate details and artistic flourishes, the guest house creates a statement of honour.
“Maharashtra by itself doesn’t have much of handicrafts. So I had to hire an artist who would bring other elements of the state into the guest house. In each of the three conference rooms, on silk, the artist has painted the caves, forts and shores of Maharashtra,” says Founder I.M. Kadri.