Sea rock, Bandra, once bollywood haven to soar again as Taj Bandstand Hotel

| TNN | Feb 7, 2025, 09:50 IST

The Airports Authority of India has approved a height clearance o... Read More

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved a height clearance of about 145 metres (restricted) for the proposed rebuilding of Hotel Sea Rock near Bandra Bandstand. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to perform bhoomipujan for the project on Feb 10.

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The NOC

Issued on Jan 7. Valid for 8 years, with extension of 4 years
The property has been bought by Taj Group, to be renamed Taj Bandstand
Taj had sought a height clearance of 160 metres for 40 storeys
The height clearance approved by AAI’s regional office will allow a 36-storey building
The group has appealed before Delhi authorities for a 160-metre height clearance

Hotel’s history

1968: The Luthria brothers— Girdharilal, Udharam, Shyam and Manohar—set up Elel Hotels and Investment to build Sea Rock hotel on the Bandra waterfront
1978: Hotel opens; boasts of a revolving restaurant called the Palace of the West Empress; becomes a favourite spot for Bollywood and airline crew
1983: ITC Welcomgroup takes over management
1993: Sea Rock is damaged during bomb blasts and is closed. Dispute crops up between the Luthrias and ITC. After a decadelong legal battle, they settle
2005: Suresh Nanda of Claridges Hotel buys Sea Rock for Rs 40 crore
009: IHCL, the owner of the Taj chain, buys 86% of Sea Rock from Nanda for `680 crore. The 440- room hotel is demolished with plans to rebuild it by adding a convention centre and commercial complex. But the project faces delays due to litigation, issues with extra FSI allocation and environmental clearance.
2020: IHCL buys the remaining 14% of Sea Rock from Nanda for Rs 250 crore
2025: IHCL receives commencement certificate from BMC to rebuild Sea Rock. Is allocated FSI of 5.5
Feb 10: Groundbreaking ceremony, led by CM and IHCL chairman N Chandrasekaran