Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: The Remarkable Journey of ICP | Fort Heritage

Heritage buildings stand as enduring testaments to a bygone era, showcasing the rich history and cultural significance they hold. These architectural marvels exude the charm of the past and play a vital role in preserving our cultural identity. Since its establishment in 1939, Indian City Properties (ICP) has been recognized as a renowned commercial real estate company with a rich history whose core strength lies in prioritizing expertise in preserving architectural heritage and restoring traditional designs. ?

In early 2021, ICP had the opportunity to evaluate the HSBC Bank building near Horniman Circle in the Kalaghoda, Fort area. Given our existing operational building, ICP | One Forbes, in Fort and our in-depth understanding of the micro market, we decided to pursue the bank building and incorporate it into our portfolio. Acquiring a heritage building posed its own set of challenges, necessitating the restoration and upgrading of the structure to its original grandeur while ensuring its functionality for 21st-century occupants. After closely monitoring the building, we successfully acquired it in March 2021 and bestowed it with the name ICP | Fort Heritage. This strategic acquisition was not only aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of the Fort area but also at retaining its distinctive architectural character.

Prior to the acquisition, the building was originally constructed with G+2 floors. In the 1950s, an additional floor was added (noted by the plain structure and lack of design on the fa?ade surface for that floor). The building's core consisted of steel structure elements imported from England. The floor slabs were constructed using a vintage technique called Jack arch slabs, predating the common use of RCC slabs. Designed by the architectural firm Chambers & Fritchley in 1913, the building holds Grade IIA heritage status and was originally built for the British Bank of the Middle East. It was one of 37 banks in the area that eventually became known as the Bank District.

When we acquired the building, we did a comprehensive structural investigation and strengthening of the building and our comprehensive conservation plan focused on restoring and preserving its fa?ades. The British architecture in India served as a significant expression of imperial aspirations, combining local skills and craftsmanship. This architectural style introduced new designs, materials, construction techniques, and traditions to the region. With an intention to preserve its historical significance, we adopted a back-to-basics approach by embracing the use of local skills and craftsmanship, while also incorporating the latest technology. Our aim was to restore the building to its former glory, paying homage to its rich architectural heritage while utilizing modern methods to ensure its long-term preservation.?

Video of Fort Heritage's transformation:

The neo-classical design of the structure required extensive restoration work. This included restoring the entire building, including all sides, through stone cleaning, fenestration restoration, and fa?ade illumination. The west-facing fa?ade had severe water ingress and leakage issues at all openings and walls, leading to dampness in the walls and jack arch ceilings of the floors. The terrace had scattered ducts, pipes, and other service networks, which were properly arranged and corrected during the restoration process. As part of the fenestration work, we replaced the openable window shutters with fixed single-glass panels, enhancing transparency and improving the building's overall visual appeal. As part of restoring the fa?ade, we removed vegetation and discoloration from limestone surfaces, thoroughly cleaning the stone patina on the fa?ade. Plaster was scraped off to expose the original stones, and all cornices and design elements were restored to their original state. High-pressure water jets were used for cleaning stones and other fa?ade elements. Specialized artisanal workers were deployed to work on the floral patterns and apply special lime-based plaster to the clean surfaces further.

The basements, previously used as strong rooms by the bank, were converted into utility spaces. Extensive water ingress was present in the basement and through the roof. A comprehensive study was conducted to assess the building's structure, identify issues, propose remedial measures, and implement them. This included complete waterproofing of the roof and basements, carbon-fiber strengthening of the roof slab, incorporation of an additional lift, and strengthening of intermediate jack-arch slabs. Internally, the building underwent upgrades to accommodate various retail uses. Services such as HVAC, electrical systems, and plumbing were all upgraded. Additionally, a new firefighting system was installed, and the air conditioning systems were improved to accommodate the building's new purposes.

Ms. Mahimtura Consultants served as the structural construction consultant for the project, while Savani Heritage Conservation team played a crucial role as the specialized restoration contractor. The project was initiated by Abha Lamba in collaboration with our team. To assist us in the conservation efforts, we enlisted the expertise of Vaastu Vidhan, led by Architect Rahul Chemburkar. Together with our internal design team, they worked on designing the common areas of the building, ensuring a collaborative approach to the conservation tasks. Our conservation efforts focused not only on cosmetic enhancements but also on supporting the long-term restoration and preservation of the building.?

ICP | Fort Heritage has a captivating history, transitioning from its previous identity as a bank to its current prestigious role as one of India's flagship stores for the renowned designer Sabyasachi. The property is now cherished for the multitude of incredible stories it holds, waiting to be unveiled and celebrated.