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MID CITY: OTHER HERITAGE
This section is for the classification of other heritage buildings from Lines area to Sudder falling in the city central area that cannot be broadly classified because of their scattered nature.
NAPIER BARRACKS (1847)
Old Pictures
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Present
Satellite View
The Napier Barracks were built for the European infantry in the time of Sir Charles Napier, and were capable of housing an entire regiment comfortably. These barracks with sloping roofs, deep arcaded verandahs and high ceilings were constructed using stone and lime masonry and had tiled roofs. All of the ten structures of the barracks were originally single storied buildings, out of which five of them became pretty impressive after enlargement and addition of the upper stories between the years 1869-72. The then government intended to provide upper stories to all barracks but the work got suspended due to financial reasons.
(adapted from Lari, 1996)
FLAGSTAFF HOUSE (around 1890's)
(detail photo contributed by Andrew Tng)This charming but modest bungalow was built near the Cantonment area on a street formerly known as Bonus Street (now Fatima Jinnah Road). It was built in the 1890's, however the precise year of construction is not evident. The building was designated as the residence of the General Commanding Officer of Sind, and was situated in an exclusive area of the Staff Lines. Therefore, it came to be designated as the Flagstaff House.
The Flagstaff House was designed by an up and coming architect of Karachi, Moses Somake (pronounced So-maa-kay), who left his signature on the building as an inscription on the inner face of the house's porch. Somake was responsible for the design of the main building of the bungalow, and he borrowed heavily on Italianate architectural themes. The building has a symmetrical frontage with two wings flanking a central arched entryway porch. The facade uses simple arcading, carved pilasters, and sloping roofs covered in red clay tiles. A verandah takes its place above the central entrance porch. An unusual element introduced in this building was the use of semicircular balconies on the two wings, which also made an appearance later in the City Courts building. The building is made out of hammer-dressed stone masonry, whereas the facade uses finely carved and chiseled features.
The Flagstaff House was initially owned by the Parsi magnates Mr. Sorab Kavasji and Dina Katrak, although it had been requisitioned as the residence of the General Officer Commanding. In March 1944 however, it was bought by 'Mr. Mahomedali Jinnah, Barrister-at-Law, Bombay'. After the partition of the subcontinent, Mr. Mahomedali Jinnah, Quaid-e-Aazam as he was now known as and now Governor General of Pakistan, furnished the house with his belongings and furniture that he moved in from his Delhi and Bombay residences. After the death of Mr. Jinnah, the house was occupied by his sister and a prominent political figure in early Pakistan, Ms. Fatimah Jinnah who lived here from 1948 to 1964. Afterwards, the Flagstaff House served as the headquarters of the Combined Opposition Forces (which included personalities such as Khwaja Nazimuddin, Maulana Maududi, and Justice Z. H. Lari among others) during the general elections of 1965. Due to the prime location of this property, many attempts were subsequently made to acquire and demolish this building and erect a commercial or office structure on its premises, but fortunately they could not be carried through due to different circumstances. One of the bids had become successful on the account that it would reserve a floor of the new building constructed at the site for a museum for Quaid-e-Aazam's relics, however it got superceded by another bid which it could not match. The bungalow thus remained neglected until 1985 when it was acquired by the Government of Pakistan under representation by the Heritage Foundation, and declared a national monument as the Quaid-e-Aazam House Museum. It presently displays relics and furniture belonging to Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
(referenced from Lari, 1996)
METROPOLE AREA BUILDINGS
The Edward House and Victory Mansion(built 1910)
Present View
The Edward House was designed by Moses Somake, and is located along the former Victoria road (now the Abdullah Haroon Road). This building used to house the famous Cafe Grand, operated by Herbert "Bertie" Cumper and known to be one of the best bakers and confectioners in the city: "in the heart of the European section of the city... a popular place for refreshments of all kinds" (ref. Seaports of India and Ceylon, 1928:360)
Somake used a simplified treatment for the facade of this building, using the articulation of massing to create effect. This double-story building draws its character from vigorous stone detailing using rusticated masonry, and bays that are defined by balcony-like projections with columns on both sides. A tall central tower provides emphasis and focus, and also serves as the covering for the staircase. Stone balustrading on the roof gives added height to the building.
The Victory Mansion, located adjacent to the Edward House, was designed by an unknown architect. However, it uses an architectural style that goes well with the Edward House using carved stone balustrading on the roof and employing classical styled Ionic columns as elements of the facade.
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Building Behind PIDC House
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FREEMASON'S LODGE (1914)
The Freemason's Lodge was originally built at the location of the present-day residential buildings of the Sindh Club. The 'Lodge Hope' (as it was called) had been founded in 1842 with the foundation for a building being laid down by Charles Napier in 1845 when he gave it a land grant. However, when the earlier location was acquired by the Sindh Club in 1914, the Lodge was moved to its present location on Strachan Road. The new building, known as the 'New Temple', was built in 1914 at a cost of Rs. 60,000 and was known to the local native residents as the Jadu-ghar (Sorcery house). By 1927, there were eight other masonic lodges in the subcontinent, all of which held regular meetings.
Architecturally, the building was modest in scale but was impressive nevertheless, because of its two-story front portico employing Ionic columns. There is no triangular pediment at the top, however, the flat roof is emphasized by a simple entablature with dentils and a mildly decorative parapet. The entrance portico is also the main stair hall, housing a grand timber staircase leading to the first floor. The ground floor has space for several offices while the main hall is located on the first floor. Several plaques in the stair hall record the names of members and their contributions to the original 'Lodge Hope'.
Currently this building is occupied by the offices of the Sind Wildlife Fund, whereas the main hall is being used as a library for the National History Museum.
(adapted from Lari, 1996)
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JINNAH COURTS HOSTEL
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Old house in front of D. J. College
A Relocated Sudder Building
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