“This should set an example for others to follow, to restore Mumbai’s rich legacy of buildings,” said conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, whose efforts to restore Esplanade House, the former home of entrepreneurial businessman Jamsetji Tata, were recognised with the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award (Honorary Mention) for Cultural Heritage Restoration 2014.

Before

The restoration work covered common areas such as the lobby (right), as well as some of the tenants’ balconies and the trustee offices. Care was taken to ensure that the team respected the original structure as much as possible