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Mumbai architecture

Mumbai is a city of immense scale where the local trains carry over 7 million people every day, more than the entire population of many small countries. It is the heart of the Bollywood film industry and a city where the historic Gateway of India stands as a symbol of its colonial and maritime past.

  • 15Landmarks
  • 1878Oldest · Rajabai Clock Tower
  • 280 mTallest · World One
  • 14Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoChhatrapati Shivaji (BOM)

    Terminal 2 at Mumbai Airport features a stunning 3-kilometer long 'Art Wall' that showcases thousands of artifacts and artworks from across India. The terminal's ceiling is inspired by the dancing feathers of a peacock, creating a breathtaking and culturally immersive experience for arriving travelers.

  • CurrencyIndian Rupee (₹)
  • LanguageMarathi & Hindi

    Mumbai is a linguistic melting pot where Marathi is the state language and Hindi is the common tongue. You will often hear 'Bambaiya Hindi,' a rhythmic and street-smart slang that is unique to the city's fast-paced culture.

  • Getting aroundLocal Trains

    The Mumbai Suburban Railway is known as the 'Lifeline of Mumbai' and is essential for the city's functioning. The Mumbai Metro is a new and rapidly growing addition that provides air-conditioned comfort to commuters. Iconic black-and-yellow 'Kaali-Peeli' taxis and auto-rickshaws provide the last-mile connectivity for most residents.

15 landmarks in Mumbai

  1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
    Photo: Sailko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India

    This UNESCO World Heritage site serves as the bustling headquarters of India's Central Railway. The architecture is a breathtaking fusion of Victorian Gothic Revival and traditional Indian palace styles. It features a massive stone dome, turrets, and pointed arches that define the city's historic skyline. Intricate carvings of local flora and fauna decorate the exterior walls and interior columns. For over a century, it has stood as the primary gateway for millions of people entering the financial capital.

    Built
    1888
    Architect
    Frederick William Stevens
    Style
    Indo-Saracenic
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Train Station

  2. Gateway of India

    Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India

    This iconic monument was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary. The design successfully blends Roman triumphal arch elements with 16th-century Gujarati architectural details. Constructed from yellow basalt, the arch is a symbol of the city's colonial history and maritime importance. It stands prominently on the waterfront of the Apollo Bunder area overlooking the Arabian Sea. Today, it remains Mumbai's most visited landmark and a popular gathering spot for both locals and tourists.

    Built
    1924
    Architect
    George Wittet
    Style
    Indo-Saracenic
    Height
    26 m (85 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Monument
  3. Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
    Photo: Photofinder.cr2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

    Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India

    This legendary hotel was Mumbai's first major harbor landmark and predates the Gateway of India. It features a distinctive red tiled dome that has served as a beacon for ships entering the port for decades. The architecture incorporates Moorish, Oriental, and Florentine styles into a grand, unified structure. Legend states that Jamshedji Tata commissioned the building after being denied entry to a nearby whites-only hotel. It continues to be a symbol of Indian resilience and world-class hospitality in the heart of the city.

    Built
    1903
    Architect
    Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya
    Style
    Indo-Saracenic / Revival
    Height
    45 m (148 ft)
    Stories
    6
    Today
    Hotel

  4. Rajabai Clock Tower

    Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg, Mantralaya, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032, India

    This elegant clock tower is located within the confines of the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. It was modeled after London's Big Ben but was constructed using local yellow Kurla stone. The tower features impressive stained glass windows and several stone statues representing various Indian communities. It was funded by Premchand Roychand, who requested the bells so his blind mother could tell the time. Standing at 85 meters, it remains one of the tallest historic structures in South Mumbai.

    Built
    1878
    Architect
    George Gilbert Scott
    Style
    Venetian Gothic
    Height
    85 m (279 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Library / Landmark

  5. Antilia

    Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026, India

    This 27-story skyscraper is widely recognized as the world's most expensive private residence. The building's unique design ensures that no two floors are identical in terms of layout or materials used. It includes ultra-luxury features such as three helipads, a massive private theater, and a dedicated snow room. The structure is built to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake on the Richter scale. It towers over Altamount Road, reflecting the extreme verticality and wealth found in modern Mumbai.

    Built
    2010
    Architect
    Perkins & Will
    Style
    Modernist
    Height
    173 m (568 ft)
    Stories
    27
    Today
    Private Residence

  6. Kanchanjunga Apartments

    Pedder Road, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026, India

    This Brutalist residential tower was designed specifically to tackle the challenges of Mumbai's tropical climate. The architect utilized deep garden terraces to act as thermal buffer zones for the living spaces. Its clever orientation maximizes natural cross-ventilation to keep the interior cool without excessive air conditioning. The building's interlocking apartment levels provide a complex and innovative spatial experience for residents. It remains a global case study for how modern architecture can respond to local environmental conditions.

    Built
    1983
    Architect
    Charles Correa
    Style
    Brutalist
    Height
    84 m (276 ft)
    Stories
    28
    Today
    Apartments
  7. World One
    Photo: Creater903a, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    World One

    Senapati Bapat Marg, Upper Worli, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India

    This massive skyscraper is one of the tallest residential structures in the entire Indian subcontinent. It features a unique 'cloverleaf' footprint designed to provide every unit with a view of the sea. The building is part of a larger luxury complex built on the site of a former textile mill. High-tech engineering and wind-tunnel testing were used to ensure the stability of its slender form. It stands as a prominent symbol of the city's ongoing transformation into a vertical global hub.

    Built
    2020
    Architect
    Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
    Style
    Modernist
    Height
    280 m (919 ft)
    Stories
    76
    Today
    Apartments

  8. BMC Headquarters

    Mahapalika Marg, Dhobi Talao, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India

    The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building is an imposing structure located directly opposite the CST station. Its most striking feature is a massive 255-foot high central tower that dominates the local area. The architecture was intended to project the power, wealth, and civic pride of the Bombay Corporation. Elaborate gargoyles, domes, and arches decorate the facade in a classic Gothic Revival style. It continues to function as the administrative heart of the city's local government today.

    Built
    1893
    Architect
    Frederick William Stevens
    Style
    Gothic Revival
    Height
    78 m (256 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Government Office

  9. Elphinstone College

    156, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032, India

    This Grade I heritage structure is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Mumbai. The building is a prime example of Victorian Gothic architecture characterized by its yellow stone facade. It features elaborate stone carvings and balconies that overlook the historic Kala Ghoda arts district. Originally funded by public subscriptions, it has educated many of India's most prominent historical figures. The building's preservation is a testament to the city's commitment to its academic and cultural legacy.

    Built
    1888
    Architect
    Trubshaw & Khan Bahadur
    Style
    Victorian Gothic
    Height
    20 m (66 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    College

  10. Metro Inox Cinema

    Mahatma Gandhi Road, Dhobi Talao, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020, India

    This theater is considered the crown jewel of Mumbai's extensive Art Deco architectural heritage. It was originally built by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and opened with great fanfare in the late 1930s. The interior features classic Deco motifs, including stepped ceilings and stylized geometric metalwork. Even after its modernization into a multiplex, the building has retained its original glamorous facade. It remains a beloved cultural landmark where generations of Mumbaikars have experienced the magic of cinema.

    Built
    1938
    Architect
    Thomas W. Lamb
    Style
    Art Deco
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Cinema

  11. Apple BKC

    G1-G2, Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051, India

    As India's first flagship Apple Store, this building features a stunning handcrafted timber ceiling. The ceiling is made of over 450,000 individual timber pieces arranged in a complex geometric pattern. This design was specifically inspired by the traditional rattan weaving found in Mumbai's local furniture. The store is designed to be carbon neutral and runs entirely on 100 percent renewable energy. It serves as a modern community hub within the high-end Jio World Drive shopping complex.

    Built
    2023
    Architect
    Foster + Partners
    Style
    Eco-Modernism / Vernacular Fusion
    Height
    14 m (46 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Retail Flagship
  12. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj T2
    Photo: Innocentbunny, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj T2

    Sahar Village, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099, India

    The T2 terminal is famous for its massive mushroom-style columns that support a vast, sweeping roof. The canopy design is directly inspired by the tail of the peacock, which is India's national bird. Hundreds of glass discs are embedded in the ceiling to allow sunlight to filter through the space. This effect is a modern tribute to the 'jalis' or perforated screens found in traditional Indian architecture. The terminal also houses one of the world's largest indoor public art programs for travelers to enjoy.

    Built
    2014
    Architect
    Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
    Style
    Structural Expressionism
    Height
    45 m (148 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Airport Terminal

  13. ISKCON Temple (Hare Krishna Land)

    Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Church Road, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049, India

    This marble masterpiece in Juhu serves as a major center for Vedic learning and spiritual practice. The temple complex features intricate hand-carved stone walls and massive teakwood doors. Its design strictly follows traditional Vastu Shastra principles to ensure a harmonious environment. The white marble floors provide a serene and cooling escape from the city's humid and chaotic atmosphere. It is widely regarded as one of India's most beautiful and well-maintained modern temple complexes.

    Built
    1978
    Architect
    Suraj P. Subherwal
    Style
    Modern Hindu Architecture
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Temple / Cultural Center
  14. Global Vipassana Pagoda
    Photo: Pradeep717, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Global Vipassana Pagoda

    Global Pagoda Road, Gorai Village, Borivali West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400091, India

    This massive meditation hall was built as a lasting tribute to the teachings of the Buddha. Its central dome is officially the world's largest stone dome constructed without any supporting pillars. The architecture is modeled after the famous Shwedagon Pagoda located in Yangon, Myanmar. The exterior is covered in real gold leaf that glimmers brightly over the Gorai creek and Arabian Sea. It serves as a peaceful retreat where thousands can meditate together in total silence.

    Built
    2008
    Architect
    Subhash Bhoite
    Style
    Burmese Buddhist
    Height
    96 m (315 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Meditation Centre

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