Latest news with #Palladian
Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Hyderabad's James Street Police Station, built in 1870s, revitalised for future
Nearly a decade after the Hyderabad police vacated the premises, the iconic 19th-century James Street Police Station, later known as Ramgopalpet Police Station, has been revitalised through conservation efforts. This Palladian structure, built in the 1870s, with its distinctive colonial features including semicircular arches, louvred windows, doors, and a prominent clock tower, has been given a new lease of life. The police station was originally named after British Resident James Kirkpatrick and later renamed after businessman Seth Ramgopal, who financed its construction. In 1998, the fully functional police station was designated as a heritage building under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. Over time, this grand structure succumbed to the elements. Leaking roofs and broken rafters became common, clear signs of deterioration due to the passage of time and nature's relentless touch. Conservation architect GSV Suryanarayan Murthy of Kshetra Consultants said his team studied the original geometry, architectural features, and material used, along with archival research, to restore the building. Asked about the condition of the building at the start of the conservation project, he said that the structure was intact, though portions of the roof at the back had cracked. 'People had added a water tank, damaging the brackets and parapet, and the roof portion. We removed it and tried to load the water tank appropriately so that it does not further damage the structure in the future,' he added. According to him, the 'Madras terrace' and 'jack-arch roof' are unique to the era's buildings. 'There are no people who know the know-how of this kind of roof. So, we studied the previous specifications from old documents, trained people, tested at some place, did trial and error, and we continued only after finding them appropriate,' he said, adding that the famed British Residency and iconic Kurshid Jah Devdi are examples of similar architecture to be found in Hyderabad. Mir Khan of Deccan Terrain Heritage, who carried out the restoration work, said that several layers of foreign material, such as cement and synthetic paints, were carefully removed and redone with ancient lime plaster techniques, as part of the restoration. 'The ornamental lime plaster over typical colonial brick masonry is one of a kind in clock tower design, signifying the era of brick and lime mastery, where curved steps and grooves on the outer walls distinguish it from general lime buildings' ornamentation,' he said. According to Khan, wooden rafters, due to constant moisture, were damaged, and wherever required, propping was done and replaced. 'Due to ageing and interventions, the building, like any heritage building, required detailed analysis before taking up restoration. We have to retain the breathability in the walls. So, for aeration, we have to have lime plaster on both sides. Terrace leakages are common in any heritage building. However, if you don't attend to them in time, the water penetrates the building and becomes a problem. The clock tower was in bad shape. There was a 400-kg brass bell. We have kept it on the ground floor as a memento,' he explained. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
The Hindu
7 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
148 years after it was built, Hyderabad's James Street Police Station gets a new lease of life
148 years after it was built, the iconic James Street Police Station with its soaring belfry, clock and louver windows that came to be known as Ramgopalpet Police Station, has got a fresh lease of life. Lit up with an off white light, the street offers a glimpse of life in Secunderabad as it was in the colonial era. 'We researched using archival material and photographs to ensure that the geometrical similarity, form, colour, original features, and built components, including the Palladian pediment and semi-circular arches of the building are restored to the original form,' said conservation architect Surya Narayan Murthy when asked about the restoration. 'It took us 14 months to execute the project as the building had suffered extensive damage with deterioration of lime plaster, which in turn harmed the wooden rafters due to water seepage and moisture,' says Mir Khan of Deccan Terrain who carried out the restoration work. 'The wooden rafters had to be replaced, the 20th century cement plastering intervention had to be undone. The seepage affected the madras terrace (built using terracotta tiles and lime mortar) as well as the jack arch roofing,' informs Mr. Khan. Prior to the restoration, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had asked the Hyderabad Police to vacate the building in 2016 citing its dilapidated condition. The building was designated a heritage building in 1998 and the police department had a plan to turn into a museum. Now that goal appears closer as the 400-kg brass bell in the belfry has been taken down and kept on the ground floor as an attraction. 'The police department has a plan to use it as an outpost or turn it into a museum,' informed Mr. Khan. The James Street Police Station named after the Resident James Kirkpatrick was financed by the businessman Seth Ramgopal who had his home in the same street. While the home is built with influence from Rajasthani architecture, the police station had an air of a colonial building.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
148 years after it was built, James Street PS gets a new lease of life
148 years after it was built, the iconic James Street Police Station with its soaring belfry, clock and louver windows that came to be known as Ramgopalpet Police Station, has got a fresh lease of life. Lit up with an off white light, the street offers a glimpse of life in Secunderabad as it was in the colonial era. 'We researched using archival material and photographs to ensure that the geometrical similarity, form, colour, original features, and built components, including the Palladian pediment and semi-circular arches of the building are restored to the original form,' said conservation architect Surya Narayan Murthy when asked about the restoration. 'It took us 14 months to execute the project as the building had suffered extensive damage with deterioration of lime plaster, which in turn harmed the wooden rafters due to water seepage and moisture,' says Mir Khan of Deccan Terrain who carried out the restoration work. 'The wooden rafters had to be replaced, the 20th century cement plastering intervention had to be undone. The seepage affected the madras terrace (built using terracotta tiles and lime mortar) as well as the jack arch roofing,' informs Mr. Khan. Prior to the restoration, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation had asked the Hyderabad Police to vacate the building in 2016 citing its dilapidated condition. The building was designated a heritage building in 1998 and the police department had a plan to turn into a museum. Now that goal appears closer as the 400-kg brass bell in the belfry has been taken down and kept on the ground floor as an attraction. 'The police department has a plan to use it as an outpost or turn it into a museum,' informed Mr. Khan. The James Street Police Station named after the Resident James Kirkpatrick was financed by the businessman Seth Ramgopal who had his home in the same street. While the home is built with influence from Rajasthani architecture, the police station had an air of a colonial building.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
When a European prince fell for an American billionaire's daughter: ‘Love at first sight'
Before she became Crown Princess of Greece, Marie-Chantal was best known as the daughter of billionaire Robert Warren Miller — the American tycoon behind the global Duty Free Shops empire. Born in London and raised between Hong Kong, Paris, Switzerland and New York, Marie-Chantal grew up in extraordinary privilege, the middle daughter of one of the most well-connected families in the world. Marie-Chantal's upbringing was steeped in wealth, culture, and connections. Her father's business success had made him one of the richest men in Asia by the 1980s, and her mother, María Clara "Chantal" Pesantes Becerra, was an Ecuadorian socialite. Marie-Chantal may have made a royal match, but her two sisters – Pia and Alexandra – are no less famous. Pia married into the Getty oil dynasty, while Alexandra wed a German prince and is now known as von Fürstenberg. Marie-Chantal's life took a fairytale turn when she met Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, in 1992. According to a piece published in Vanity Fair, Prince Pavlos, eldest son and heir of King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, met the American heiress in the United States, thanks to a blind date arranged by New York investment banker Alecko Papamarkou. 'Marie-Chantal and I met at a party of friends of mine in New Orleans,' Pavlos was quoted as saying by Royalty Magazine. 'We were seated next to each other at dinner and we spent the whole evening together, talking, and dancing. I guess you could call it love at first sight.' Their relationship quickly became serious. Pavlos proposed in 1994 during a ski holiday in Switzerland. Their engagement was announced in January 1995, and the wedding – one of the most lavish of the time – followed in July. The couple married on July 1, 1995 at St. Sophia's Cathedral in London, in what was widely described as the most lavish royal wedding of the decade. The pre-wedding events and the ceremony reportedly cost over $8 million and included a guest list of 1,400, featuring royalty from across Europe - including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Queen Sofía of Spain (Pavlos's aunt). In fact, according to a New York Times report, the wedding was attended by more royals than the union of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. A week before the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II even hosted a tea party at Claridge's for the happy couple. Two nights before the ceremony, Marie-Chantal's parents, Robert and Chantal Miller, threw a spectacular pre-wedding reception, dinner, and ball for around 1,200–1,300 guests at a Palladian mansion near Sevenoaks. A post shared by Royal Greece 🇬🇷 (@royal_greece) The wedding of Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal Miller on July 1, 1995 was one of the most extravagant and widely talked-about events of the year, blending royal tradition with billionaire flair. The ceremony was held at St Sophia's Cathedral, the spiritual centre of Greek Orthodoxy in the UK and a familiar setting to the Greek royal family. Over 450 guests packed into the cathedral, with another 850 watching a live satellite broadcast from Hampton Court Palace. The guest list read like a who's who of global royalty. In a rare show of support for exiled royalty, members of the British royal family — including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and the Queen Mother — attended. The Spanish royal family, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, royals from Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and the former monarchs of Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria also attended. The Middle East was represented by King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, along with the exiled Shah Reza II and Empress Farah of Iran.
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Forbes
7 Remarkable And Unique Places To Stay In Italy
For the millions of travelers who visit each year, Italy offers thousands of hotels, B&Bs, agriturismos, and rental options ranging from from haute to humble, and reaching from the country's Alpine North to southernmost Sicily. If you want to look beyond traditional lodging for a memorable holiday in an unforgettable setting, here are seven options to check out. These remarkable and unique places to stay in Italy, which include rustic getaways, palace apartments, and even a Palladian villa, come with impressive histories, and often reasonable prices. San Fruttuoso, known for its historic abbey, is located near Portofino in Liguria. A bedroom in Casa de Mar. A few miles from jet-set favorite Portofino, San Fruttuoso offers a very different kind of Riviera experience. In this coastal hideaway, you'll find a photogenic, rustic fishing village, an exquisite tiny cove beach, and a significant medieval abbey (Abbazia di San Fruttuoso), dating from the 10th century. Reachable by hiking paths or boat (and regularly scheduled ferries from nearby towns like Camogli and Rapallo), San Fruttuoso, although busy during the day, becomes an escape-from-it-all retreat in the evening (the village has a population of less than 40). You can enjoy the tranquil setting in a restored two-bedroom, two-level fisherman's cottage called Casa de Mar with sea views, a terrace and tiny garden. The property is managed by FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), a non-profit dedicated to preserving Italy's natural and cultural assets. Book through the The Landmark Trust, the U.K. organization devoted to the conservation and preservation of historic properties. The facade of the Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, which dates from the 17th century. The living area in Apartment 9, one of the deluxe lodging options in the Palazzo Lanza Tomasi. It has sweeping views of the Bay of Palermo. Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the author of The Leopard, a novel focusing on the Sicilian aristocracy's decline at the time of Italy's unification, is among the best-selling books in Italian history. (Luchino Visconti directed the now iconic film, Il Gattopardo, and Netflix recently debuted a series, The Leopard, both based on the novel.) The writer, a Sicilian nobleman, lived the final years of his life in Palazzo Lanza Tomasi, a grand 17th-century landmark in the Kalsa district of central Palermo. He bequeathed the palazzo to his relative and adoptive son, Gioacchino Lanza Tomasi, the Duke of Palma, who with his wife Nicoletta Polo, undertook the restoration of the historic structure. On the piano nobile floor there are rooms that serve as a museum to the famous writer's legacy containing his personal library and works, including the manuscript for Il Gattopardo. Apartments ranging in size from studios to two bedrooms, all with kitchens and some with sea views, are located on various floors of the palazzo and are available to book for self-catering holidays. Nicoletta Polo Lanza Tomasi holds highly regarded Sicilian cooking classes in the palazzo called 'A Day Cooking with the Duchess,' which includes a tour of Palermo's famous Il Capo food market and the preparation of a multi-course meal. The lunch in then served in the palazzo dining room. For more information: Palazzo Lanza Tomasi. The Blue Salon in the Palazzo Conte Federico. A bedroom in the Busuemi apartment. The Palazzo Conte Federico is one of Palermo's oldest dwellings, with a 12th century Arab-Norman tower reflecting a unique medieval architectural style blending Eastern and Western design elements. (The Normans not only conquered England in 1066, they came to rule Sicily in roughly the same time period after they seized power from the island's Muslim overlords.) Today, the palace is owned by Conte Alessandro Federico, whose family history also runs very deep; he is a descendant of the Sicilian ruler, Frederick II (1194-1250). Alessandro, his wife Alwine, and their sons live in the historic dwelling, which lies in the centro storico with many of Palermo's attractions within walking distance. Tours of the palace are given in Italian and English by a family member up to four times a day (except Wednesday). There's a lot to see: splendid architectural and decorative elements spanning centuries of Sicilian style, with striking marble staircases, a frescoed ballroom, antique tiled floors, chandeliers and fireplaces, and a rich assortment of period furniture. In one section of the palazzo are apartments that can be booked for holiday stays, ranging in size from studios to two-rooms with kitchenettes or kitchens; a number of them have balconies or terraces. For more information: Palazzo Conte Federico. Villa Saraceno was built in the mid-1500s by Andrea Palladio. A sitting room with frescoes. Andrea Palladio's villas, built for the Venetian nobility in the 1500s, are among Italy's most valuable Renaissance landmarks (they are listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site). While a number of these villas are open to the public for visits, Villa Saraceno, owned and restored by The Landmark Trust, allows you to stay on for a (minimum four-night) holiday. Built over a decade (1545-55), this splendid country retreat near Vicenza is about an hour's drive from Venice. A large three-story residence with eight bedrooms, sleeping 16, and six bathrooms, the villa is well-suited for a multi-generation family trip. Among the unique highlights are the frescoes found in the main entrance hall, sitting room and loggia. For more information: The Landmark Trust. Isola Bella The Delfino Suite, Ortensia. The Via Stretta apartment. The Borromeo Islands, a stunning archipelago floating majestically on the shimmery blue waters of Lake Maggiore, are an exceptional highlight of Italy's Lakes District. The best-known of the islands is Isola Bella, home to the lavishly baroque Palazzo Borromeo, which took four centuries to complete, and is now an important art museum. (The palazzo's elaborate Italian gardens are widely considered among the most beautiful in the world.) Until recently, a visit to Isola Bella meant a day trip, but Terre Borromeo, the company that oversees the archipelago with the Borromeo family, introduced a collection of apartments and suites for overnight (and longer) stays. Two of the dwellings, which can accommodate three to seven people, are located in the palazzo's former guest house, dating from the 1700s, where you'll also find Terre Borromeo's Delfino Restaurant. Other suites are found in nearby fishing cottages, refurbished in classic modern style. The properties were designed to take in the island's impressive views and include kitchens. For more information: Terre Borromeo. Casa Guidi, where the famous Victorian-era poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning once lived. The Brownings' former apartment is located in a 15th-century palazzo near the Pitti Palace in Florence. If you like to seek out places where literary greats once vacationed (e.g., Ernest Hemingways at the Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees in Stresa, F. Scott Fitzgerald at the villa that's now the Hotel Belle-Rives in Juan-les-Pins), you'll want to consider a booking at Casa Guidi, the Florentine home of two of the 19th century's most celebrated writers, Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning (who famously wrote, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways'). A few steps from the Pitti Palace, the first-floor apartment in a historic 15th-century palazzo, spans ten rooms with three bedrooms accommodating up to five people. Once owned by the Browning Institute, the residence was transferred to Eton College in the early 1990s; Eton worked with the Landmark Trust to restore and refurbish it to reflect the way the rooms looked when the Brownings lived there. The couple made Casa Guidi their home in Florence for 14 years, a time when they produced some of their finest work. For more information: The Landmark Trust. The Masseria ls located outside Toritto, a town that lies between Bari and Matera. Located roughly midway between the Bari airport and Matera, one of southern Italy's most popular destinations, the Masseria Pilapalucci in Toritto resembles a small castle, with high stone walls, an ancient courtyard and a barrel-vaulted dining room that suggests a medieval banqueting hall. The 16th-century masseria is owned by Emilia D'Urso, a descendant of one of Toritto's most prominent families and founder of the Slow Food Presidium, 'Mandorla di Toritto,' which sustainably produces prized gourmet almonds. She manages the farm estate with her husband Domenico Viti, an agriculture professor, whose ancestors played a historic role in the nearby city of Altamura. The dining area, set for a cooking class. You're guaranteed a restful stay at the masseria (Italian for farm house), set amid hectares of almond and olive groves (Toritto is several miles away). The property includes a bed and breakfast with four double bedrooms and one family suite with two bedrooms, furnished with antiques and linens produced in Southern Italy. All the rooms open onto a large stone terrace, which can be used for dining or sunbathing. (There is also a plunge pool.) A lower-level terrace serves as the dining area in good weather. The entire masseria can be rented out for family or group vacations or special events. Renowned chef and cookbook author, Francesco Paldera, oversees the menu, where he reimagines classic Puglia dishes and presents new offerings. The menu changes daily depending on seasonal produce, and often includes the gourmet almonds produced by the estate, for example for pestos or a local version of the frangipane cake The Masseria also conducts cooking classes. For more information: Masseria Pilapalucci.
