Renovation Plans for Mumbai’s Iconic Jinnah House Await Final Central Approval

Mumbai, 19th April 2025: Restoration efforts for the historic South Court bungalow—commonly known as Jinnah House—are inching closer to commencement as the proposal submitted to the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) awaits a final green light from the central government.

The Grade II A heritage structure, located on Malabar Hill, is set to undergo a comprehensive conservation-driven renovation. The proposed work includes removal of invasive vegetation, repairing of damaged plaster, repainting, and refurbishment of existing woodwork such as doors, windows, and ventilators. Notably, key structural interventions such as reconstruction of the front staircase, repair of internal masonry, addition of new beams and columns, and a fresh retaining wall are also part of the plan.

The plan, according to officials associated with the project, has been carefully designed to retain the building’s original architectural identity. “The landscaping will be carried out in a manner that protects the heritage essence of the site,” said a person closely working on the conservation efforts.

A site visit conducted by MHCC in mid-2023 led to several heritage-specific recommendations. The committee advised that original furniture, chandeliers, and other accessories be restored and reused, while the stone compound wall should be reconstructed to match its original style.
Despite approvals from heritage authorities, work cannot commence without the final nod from the Centre. “We’re waiting for final instructions. All other necessary permissions and structural plans are already in place,” an official confirmed.

Documents reveal that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which currently oversees the property, is not seeking any new construction rights. However, internal alterations with cultural and aesthetic themes aligned with Indian identity are expected. “Changes will be largely interior and symbolic—intended to reflect India’s historical and cultural narrative,” a source within the ministry said.

The property has long been at the centre of legal and political discussions. Originally built by Muhammad Ali Jinnah—founder of Pakistan—the house was defined as “evacuee property” after he left for Pakistan post-Partition in 1947. His daughter, Dina Wadia, filed a petition in 2007 to reclaim the estate. Following her death, her son Nusli Wadia continued the legal proceedings in the Bombay High Court.

In October 2017, BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha wrote to then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, requesting that the bungalow be turned into a cultural centre. Swaraj later confirmed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had approved the plan to renovate and repurpose the property, similar to Hyderabad House in Delhi. “The property will be transferred from ICCR to the MEA, following the PMO’s approval,” she had stated in her reply.

Jinnah, in a conversation recounted by India’s first High Commissioner to Pakistan Sri Prakasa, had expressed deep emotional attachment to the house. “Please tell Jawaharlal not to break my heart,” Jinnah had reportedly said. “I built it brick by brick. It is meant for a refined Indian prince or a small European family.”

The structure, now in a dilapidated condition, features six rooms, a kitchen, a garage, and five servant quarters on the ground floor. The upper level contains eight rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The building also boasts pointed arches, grand verandahs, and iconic columns—hallmarks of its Indo-European architecture.

Italian craftsmen were employed during construction, with Jinnah personally overseeing its progress. The Sir JJ School of Architecture has served as consultant for the heritage restoration, which will be carried out by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Mumbai. The project blueprint covers structural rehabilitation, waterproofing, interior conservation, and landscape integration, all reviewed and endorsed by the MHCC.