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Metropolitan Building (Kolkata)

Metropolitan Building is a commercial building on Chowringhee Road in Kolkata near Esplanade. Formerly known as the Whiteaway Laidlaw department store, it was a famous department store in Calcutta during the British Rule in India. It is one of the first departmental store 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 against a borrower default and named the building, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building. In 1956, Metropolitan Insurance was nationalised under the Life Insurance Act of parliament and the LIC took over the comapany and its assets from its owning family, the Bhattacharyas. The family continued adverse occupation of a large part of the building for years after the acquisition and appealed to the courts over the next three generations till all claimants passed way. The LIC eventually got full possession and is the current owner. It is located near the Shaheed Minar and the Grand Hotel and is just opposite of the new Esplanade Metro Station.

History

The building was built in 1905.

After Independence, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. assumed ownership, so people know it more commonly as Metropolitan Building as the building housed the Metropilitan Bank too, another family owned financial enterprise

Renovation

The building was restored 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.

Features

It is a large beautiful 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.