Metropolitan Building.

A place with lots of history. The building was built in 1905 probably 1st departmental store in India before independence

Metropolitan Building is the number 46.26 building on Chowringhee road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteway laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Kolkata (Calcutta) during the British rule  in India. This neo baroque emporium, with domes, a clock tower and arched recessed,
windows exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India. This building was built in 1905. Post Independence Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building. This building has been restored & it is Currently owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). But it still houses a commercial complex, the building was freshly repainted with white and golden paint and its exterior structure was also renovated while making extensive changes within. It is a large building recognisable by its corner tower with the dome raised high on a pavilion. Rustication in the ground floor and a semicircular arched arcade in the first floor. The facade is punctuated by a series of projected and pedimented bays with plain columns and Corinthian capitals.

Metropolitan Building is the number 46.26 building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule in India. This neo-baroque emporium—with domes, a clock tower and arched recessed windows—exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India.

The building was built in 1905. Post Independence Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building. Currently it is owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

Marvelous architecture. A hell of a design made such a long time ago. I would praise those architects who developed such a plan which would sustain so many eras. A breathtaking beauty. If you come to Esplanade please visit this place once.

Metropolitan Building is fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India and now theres still some business round the building

I visited the Metropolitan Building on a sunny afternoon and I was impressed by its neo-baroque architecture and domed clock tower. The building was built in 1905 as a department store and has a rich history. It is now owned by LIC and houses a variety of shops and offices, including Big Bazaar and Central Cottage Industries. The building is well-maintained and has a white and golden exterior that looks elegant. The location is also convenient, near Esplanade and Shaheed Minar. I enjoyed browsing through the different products and services offered by the tenants. The staff were friendly and helpful. The building is worth a visit if you are interested in shopping or sightseeing in Kolkata.

Heritage building. It’s really different inside. Colonial era stuff. You got to see it to believe it.

Metropolitan Building is the number 46.26 building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule in India. This neo-baroque emporium—with domes, a clock tower, and arched recessed windows—exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India.

On the eastern side of Esplanade stands a spectacular building in Baroque style, complete with domes, pediments, balconies & clock tower. Known as the Metropolitan Building it once housed Calcutta’s (Kolkata’s) leading departmental stores run by the famous Whiteway, Laidlaw and Co.
Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co (nicknamed ‘Right-away & Paid-for’ because it operated on cash payments only, no credit) was ‘the’ colonial emporium or department store in India and became a household name throughout the East; it was founded in Calcutta by two eponymous Scotsmen in 1882 and also had branches in Bombay, Madras, Lahore and Simla as well as further afield in Colombo, Burma, the Straits Settlements and in Shanghai. The Whiteway, Laidlaw & Co. ’s departmental stores in Calcutta was considered the poshest and classiest department store this side of the Suez.

This elaborate, ‘wedding-cake’ structure was purpose-built by Calcutta-based contractors Mackintosh Burn & Co as the headquarters of Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co; its architecture, sheer size and prominent corner position were intended to attract buyers to enter its doors. The ground floor and the first floor were occupied by the department store itself. Given the size of the building, the floor space was huge. The second and third floors accommodated offices and apartments; the offices were known as Victoria Chambers.
Catering almost exclusively to British tastes and clientele (as well as to the Bengali elite with Anglophile tastes), after Independence in 1947, most Anglo-Indians as well as British military and civilian staff left India to return ‘Home’ leaving venerable firms like Whiteaway, Laidlaw high and dry. The building was later acquired by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co which renamed it as Metropolitan Building. Victoria Chambers was also renamed as Satchindananda Chambers.
Today the Metropolitan Building is owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India and the old department store area on the ground floor is now occupied by the Big Bazar, a popular Indian departmental stores, known for its low prices and promotional offers. The upper floors are occupied by innumerable tenants residing in box like quarters.

Since 2003 the Metropolitan Building has undergone several repairs and was given a dazzling white faced but the interior of Metropolitan Building is what was neglected. As a matter of fact, it was torn apart. The precious Italian marble had been removed from the floor even before repairs began. The fire sprinkler inside, meant to fight fires, was removed.

The stained glass roof of the atrium had collapsed quite some time ago. Now, there is a huge abyss in the floor which has been barricaded. The corridors around this floor are in a shambles, too. Yet expensive woodwork was replaced although it was not protected from the seeping water.

What’s worse, the balconies, ornamental work and urns, which were restored a few months ago, have already started chipping and cracking. The new material does not hold. Absence of the original design did make restoration a tough job. The portico on the Chowringhee side of the building is being rebuilt. Concrete pillars were erected after it collapsed, but their look is nothing approaching the original granite finish design.

Suddenly in 2010, Metropolitan Building was repainted. Without structural repairs that are urgently needed. And to grotesque effect. The building has always been a pristine white. Now it is being capped with gold — on its cupolas, the procession of urns on the terrace and the acanthus on top of each Corinthian column.

Ganesh Pyne was “aghast” at Metropolitan Building being imparted a golden glow. “We have no convention of painting the exterior of such a building in gold. People will rubbish it, ” said the artis

Metropolitan Building is the number 46.26 building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule in India. This neo-baroque emporium—with domes, a clock tower, and arched recessed windows—exemplifies fashionable shopping during the British Raj in British India. Find more on wiki.

Located at junction of esplanade crossing almost opposite to saheed minar this is a heritage building perhaps.
Looks appealing and nice enough

This building is situated at the very heart of Kolkata city i.e. ESPLANADE area. Crossing of S. N. Banerjee Road & Chowringhee Road (J. N. Nehru Road) This HERITAGE building is the property of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Earlier in the era of British rule this was a famous & fashionable Departmental Store. Now various types of Shopping Mall viz BIG BAZAR & various Offices are housed here.

Various heritage buildings one of the metropolitan building. Architecture design around are beautifully. Here some shopping malls added few other shops, You can see and remember it easily.

One of the heritage building of the city, this metropolitan building houses some shopping malls like big bazar, reliance digital, reliance trends and few other shops. The building is easily noticeable from the road and is not difficult to find. Esplanade big bazar is another name if you are looking for this place. Metro station is in close proximity (approximately 2min or less walking). The building is a beautiful example of British architecture.