Who Built The 132-Year Old BMC Building Of Mumbai? History Of Asia’s Richest Civic Body Will Blow Your Mind

BMC Election Results: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) building is one of Mumbai’s most iconic structures and a symbol of the city’s civic governance.

BMC Election Results: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) building is one of Mumbai’s most iconic structures and a symbol of the city’s civic governance. As Asia's richest civic body, it is located opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The building has been at the centre of Mumbai’s administration for more than a century.

The BMC building was designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens, who is also known for designing the Victoria Terminus (now CSMT). Construction of the building began in 1884 and was completed in 1893. It was built during the British colonial period, when Mumbai, then known as Bombay, was emerging as a major port and commercial city.

Why The Building Was Constructed?

In the late 19th century, Bombay was growing rapidly due to trade, migration, and industrial activity. The city needed a strong, central municipal authority to manage public services such as sanitation, water supply, roads, and public health. To meet this need, the British administration decided to build a grand headquarters for the Bombay Municipal Corporation, which had been established in 1865.

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The building was meant to reflect the importance of civic administration and the growing status of Bombay as one of the most important cities in British India.

Architecture And Design

The BMC building is built in the Gothic Revival architectural style, with elements of Venetian Gothic design. It features pointed arches, detailed stone carvings, large windows, and a prominent central dome topped with a statue. The statue in front of the BMC building represents “Urbs Prima in Indis,” the First City of India.

The structure was built using local grey basalt stone and is one of the finest examples of colonial-era civic architecture in India.

At the time of its construction, the BMC building cost around Rs 11.2 lakh. Today, the BMC building continues to function as the headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which governs India’s richest municipal body. It oversees crucial services such as health, education, roads, water supply, and disaster management for Mumbai’s population of over 20 million.

More than just an administrative office, the BMC building stands as a reminder of Mumbai’s colonial past and its long journey as India’s financial capital. As per reports, the total budget of BMC is estimated at Rs 74,400 crore.