Desai Cottage, Shivaji Park, Dadar – originally known as ‘Sushi Kunj’. Bhikaji Desai bought the two storied “Sushi Kunj” and built the third floor which he then occupied. He was the father of Ramakant Desai, the noted cricketer known as 'tiny' but with a 'large heart,' because of his diminutive stature. In the 60s, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the Indian cricket team. It is claimed hat the name of the building was changed to Desai Cottage in 1960, after he became a test cricketer. (From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale) Desai Cottage, though minimally ornamented, features classic Deco concrete grilles - seen on its balconies and compound wall. Reeded bands along the central stair tower draw attention to the building's symmetry. When constructed, the third floor of Desai Cottage was thoughtfully set back from the front facade, without altering the symmetry and character of the original design. The facade, stripped of its colour and the compound wall in disrepair, together lend Desai Cottage an old-world charm - a stark contrast to the high-rises now coming up in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Desai Cottage, Shivaji Park, Dadar – originally known as ‘Sushi Kunj’. Bhikaji Desai bought the two storied “Sushi Kunj” and built the third floor which he then occupied. He was the father of Ramakant Desai, the noted cricketer known as 'tiny' but with a 'large heart,' because of his diminutive stature. In the 60s, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the Indian cricket team. It is claimed hat the name of the building was changed to Desai Cottage in 1960, after he became a test cricketer. (From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale) Desai Cottage, though minimally ornamented, features classic Deco concrete grilles - seen on its balconies and compound wall. Reeded bands along the central stair tower draw attention to the building's symmetry. When constructed, the third floor of Desai Cottage was thoughtfully set back from the front facade, without altering the symmetry and character of the original design. The facade, stripped of its colour and the compound wall in disrepair, together lend Desai Cottage an old-world charm - a stark contrast to the high-rises now coming up in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Desai Cottage, Shivaji Park, Dadar – originally known as ‘Sushi Kunj’. Bhikaji Desai bought the two storied “Sushi Kunj” and built the third floor which he then occupied. He was the father of Ramakant Desai, the noted cricketer known as 'tiny' but with a 'large heart,' because of his diminutive stature. In the 60s, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the Indian cricket team. It is claimed hat the name of the building was changed to Desai Cottage in 1960, after he became a test cricketer. (From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale) Desai Cottage, though minimally ornamented, features classic Deco concrete grilles - seen on its balconies and compound wall. Reeded bands along the central stair tower draw attention to the building's symmetry. When constructed, the third floor of Desai Cottage was thoughtfully set back from the front facade, without altering the symmetry and character of the original design. The facade, stripped of its colour and the compound wall in disrepair, together lend Desai Cottage an old-world charm - a stark contrast to the high-rises now coming up in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Desai Cottage, Shivaji Park, Dadar – originally known as ‘Sushi Kunj’. Bhikaji Desai bought the two storied “Sushi Kunj” and built the third floor which he then occupied. He was the father of Ramakant Desai, the noted cricketer known as 'tiny' but with a 'large heart,' because of his diminutive stature. In the 60s, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the Indian cricket team. It is claimed hat the name of the building was changed to Desai Cottage in 1960, after he became a test cricketer. (From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale) Desai Cottage, though minimally ornamented, features classic Deco concrete grilles - seen on its balconies and compound wall. Reeded bands along the central stair tower draw attention to the building's symmetry. When constructed, the third floor of Desai Cottage was thoughtfully set back from the front facade, without altering the symmetry and character of the original design. The facade, stripped of its colour and the compound wall in disrepair, together lend Desai Cottage an old-world charm - a stark contrast to the high-rises now coming up in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Champak, Shivaji Park, Dadar - built in 1937 Champak is resplendent with Art Deco features overlooking Mumbai’s friendliest public ground, Shivaji Park. Right from balconies ornamented with speedlines and geometric patterns, to continuous eyebrows (chajja), highlighted in dark blue. Deco grillwork with simple geometric shapes is seen on the windows, balcony railings and compound wall. This charming 2-storeyed building is one of few in this Deco neighbourhood with its original character preserved. Residents of buildings around Shivaji Park hold fond memories of their time in the area. Anecdotes from the residents of this building reveal that they did not ‘’move from congested places of South Bombay’’ like most of the other original residents did - such as Kashinath Ravat who built Dadaji Nishant, located across Champak - which sets it apart from them; instead, they arrived from outside the city. From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale Image 1- Hand rendered illustration of Champak for Art Deco Mumbai Trust’s Jan 2021 launch - more soon!

Champak, Shivaji Park, Dadar - built in 1937 Champak is resplendent with Art Deco features overlooking Mumbai’s friendliest public ground, Shivaji Park. Right from balconies ornamented with speedlines and geometric patterns, to continuous eyebrows (chajja), highlighted in dark blue. Deco grillwork with simple geometric shapes is seen on the windows, balcony railings and compound wall. This charming 2-storeyed building is one of few in this Deco neighbourhood with its original character preserved. Residents of buildings around Shivaji Park hold fond memories of their time in the area. Anecdotes from the residents of this building reveal that they did not ‘’move from congested places of South Bombay’’ like most of the other original residents did - such as Kashinath Ravat who built Dadaji Nishant, located across Champak - which sets it apart from them; instead, they arrived from outside the city. From Shivaji Park: Dadar 28: History, Places, People by Shanta Gokhale Image 1- Hand rendered illustration of Champak for Art Deco Mumbai Trust’s Jan 2021 launch - more soon!