MINTO OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL
Minto Ophthalmic Hospital is a government run specialty hospital in Bangalore treating diseases of the eye. It was established in 1896, making it one of the oldest specialty eye hospitals in the world. The Hospital was started in Chikkapete area in 1896, moved to Lalbagh lodge in 1897 and later shifted to the present building in 1913 which was constructed during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the King of Mysuru state. It is affiliated to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, and is an institution of national importance.
Krishnarajendra Market
K R Market (Krishnarajendra Market), also known as City Market, is the largest wholesale market dealing with commodities in Bangalore, India. It is named after Krishnarajendra Wodeyar, a former ruler of the princely state of Mysore. Housing Asia's largest flower market it truly takes us back in time. So colorful, vibrant, bustling with life. Market was established in 1928.
EMPIRE CINEMAS
One of the iconic and heritage building which was in MG road that always caught my attention every single time I passed by. This belongs to 1930's functioning successfully as a single screen theater running mostly Hollywood films. It was later repurposed as a commercial while maintaining the building. As of today this building doesn't exist anymore.
BRV Talkies
This large iconic stone structure built in medieval Tudor-style of architecture has been through a lot of transformation and repurposing with time. BRV or the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers was formed as part of the Madras Army in 1884. The current building was built in 1912 housing regimental offices, armoury, stores and recreational spaces. It was only in 1959, this building became Defense Services Cinema or DSC movie hall. In late 1970's, the army decided to shut the theatre and turn it into the Golden Palm Army Canteen, which is functioning till date.
FORT HIGH SCHOOL
Built in 1907, the 110-year-old building has many stories to share. Earlier, there was a school run and managed by the Fort Church on the same premises. In 1902, Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar took over the administration of the province and asked the trust for further development Thus an English vernacular school was started in 1905. This magnificent structure with gabbled roof, stone pillars, the protruding arches on all the windows, cast iron railing. Every single element is detailed out with great care.
MOHAN BUILDING
Built in 1909, Mohan Building has adorned many avatars till date. It was built initially to house a taluk kacheri. After the kacheri was shifted, the building became a commercial complex with silk and cotton shops occupying it. It later became a police station and then again, the Bombay Ananda Bhavan lodge. A large central courtyard looking at this fascinating piece of architecture. Monkey tops, cast-iron railings, wooden staircases.
State Central Library
Also know as Sir Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Library dressed in exquisite red façade' in the midst of cubbon park overlooking at the rose garden. Housing over 3,140,000+ books ranging from periodic publications, books in braille, academic books to research material. This is a perfect example of British era architecture with carved pediments under the roof inspired by Greek architecture, the Tuscan and Corinthian columns at the entrance. The chief engineer of Mysore state Richard Sankey is the architect of this public building.
These were a handful of iconic Heritage buildings, few standing tall continuing to narrate the stories from over 100+ year and a few which have fallen into dust. This is a homage to all those building , for the love of architecture and Heritage Namma Bengaluru is carrying within.