Ballard Estate

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type=suburb
metro=Mumbai
state_name=Maharashtra
native_name=Ballard Estate
latd = 18.95
longd= 72.84
altitude=
district = Mumbai
assembly_const =
inset_map_marker = no

Ballard Estate is an old European style business district situated in South Mumbai next to the 'Fort' area. Located between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) and the 'Fort' area of South Mumbai. It hosts the offices of shipping companies and the headquarters of the Mumbai Port Trust at the Port House. It also has the Reliance Centre and many mid-priced hotels.

The Bombay Port Trust reclaimed 22 acres of land at Ballard Estate between 1914 and 1918, using material excavated from the Alexandra Docks for filling. Ballard Estate was named for Colonel J. A. Ballard, a founder of Mumbai Port Trust, which constructed the port and Ballard Pier [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970626/17750073.html "Mumbai Port Trust is 125", "Indian Express" (June 26, 1997)] ] . George Wittet designed the buildings for the business district, imposing a uniformity of style and design through the use of European Renaissance facades [ [http://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/physical/geo/ballard-estate.html "Ballard Estate", Mumbai Pages, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research] ] . It has a "London feel" to it and is often referred to as "London-like" by the locals.

A plan to relieve congestion, conserve the structures and enliven the historic area under the auspices of the Heritage Conservation Committee has been proposed [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990604/ige04056.html "A Ballard for a heritage precinct", "Indian Express" (June 4, 1999)] ] .

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