Reviving Heritage: Exploring Repurposed Spaces in Bangalore

Introduction

Bangalore, a city steeped in history and culture, is witnessing a heartening trend – the transformation of old homes or heritage spaces into vibrant hubs of art, cuisine, and community. Abandoned schools, ancestral homes, and vintage buildings are being lovingly restored, breathing new life into the city's architectural landscape. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of these repurposed heritage spaces, now home to cafes, galleries, and retail outlets, preserving the city's legacy while making it accessible to the public.

1. Kaash Gallery

Location: Off MG Road, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: This 100-year-old bungalow turned art gallery retains its original wooden flooring, high ceilings, and colonial-era charm. Originally a home, the bungalow dates back to the 1800s, with a classic Mangalore-tiled roof and carved wooden monkey tops typical of colonial architecture found in Bengaluru. It carries a serene old-world charm and authenticity that is hard to come by these days.

Kaash Gallery showcases an impressive collection of contemporary art, providing a platform for local artists to exhibit their work.

Pic Credit : Architectural Digest

2. Cinnamon Gallery & Cafe

Location: Near Commercial Street, Bangalore

Ownership: Private Radhika Poddar

Architectural Touches: Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century villa, Cinnamon features ornate wooden doors, vintage tiles, and lush greenery.

This charming cafe serves up delicious treats amidst an art-filled atmosphere, making it a haven for art enthusiasts and foodies alike.

3. General Items

Location: Gangadhar Chetty Rd , Bangalore

Ownership: Private Spandana Gopal & Malini Malik.

Architectural Touches: Occupying a former school provisions store, General Items maintains its original facade and rustic charm.

This unique retail space offers an eclectic mix of artisanal products, supporting local artisans and makers.

4. Raintree Cafe

Location: Near RBANM's, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: Nestled within a heritage home, Raintree Cafe features stunning wooden pillars, high ceilings, and a picturesque courtyard.

Savoring local flavors amidst this tranquil setting makes for a memorable dining experience.

5. Subko at Ajji House, Shantinagar

Location: Shantinagar, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: Ajji House, a ancestral home turned cultural space, boasts traditional Karnataka architecture.

Subko, a community-driven initiative, hosts workshops, performances, and exhibitions, fostering artistic expression and community engagement.

6. Dwija Art Gallery

Location: New Bel Road, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: This modern art gallery is set within a beautifully restored heritage building, blending traditional and contemporary elements.

Dwija showcases an impressive collection of Indian art, supporting emerging and established artists.

7. Milano Ice Creams

Location: New Bel Road, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: Occupying a vintage building, Milano's sleek, modern design harmoniously coexists with the structure's original charm.

Indulge in artisanal ice creams amidst this heritage setting

8. Glen Bakehouse

Location: Sahakarnagar, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: Glen Bakehouse is nestled within a restored heritage home, featuring warm, inviting interiors.

This popular bakery serves up freshly baked treats, making it a neighborhood favorite.

9. Muru Muru, Indiranagar

Location: Indiranagar, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: This quiet home turned cafe maintains its original facade, blending seamlessly into the neighborhood.

Muru Muru offers a cozy atmosphere, serving up delicious local cuisine.

10. The Brown Table, Sadashivnagar

Location: Sadashivnagar, Bangalore

Ownership: Private https://g.co/kgs/akDK3yU

Architectural Touches: Occupying a beautifully restored bungalow, The Brown Table features elegant wooden accents.

This farm-to-table restaurant serves up seasonal, locally sourced cuisine.

11. Copper+Cloves, Indiranagar

Location: Indiranagar, Bangalore

Ownership: Private https://copperandcloves.com/

Architectural Touches: This charming store is set within a vintage building, blending modern and traditional design elements.

Copper+Cloves offers an exquisite selection of artisanal home decor and lifestyle products.

12. Ganjam Mantapa

Location: Near Basavanagudi, Bangalore

Ownership: Private

Architectural Touches: This heritage venue features stunning traditional Karnataka architecture.

Ganjam Mantapa hosts cultural events, weddings, and exhibitions, preserving the city's rich cultural heritage.

13. Bungalow No 7

Location: Hall Road, Richard’s Town

Ownership: Private Veena Mohan

Architectural touches:

The house is a colonial bungalow of Gothic design, and its architectural features include monkey tops as sunshades, trellis work with wooden slats, Madras terrace roof and louvered windows.

Bungalow No 7 is used as a venue for wedding events by a firm called Rings and Roses. we heard it had temporarily closed so need to update this.

Others :

• Hermitage Malleswaram , Veg Restaurant, Nitin Polur & Umme Farnaz

• Junys Bakehouse Jayanagar Ria Beliappa

• Rogue Elephant/Ambara. Kanakpura Road Thiagarajans

• Ishtaa Veg Restaurant , Jayanagar

• Casa Cottage , Richmond Town

Conclusion

These repurposed heritage spaces in Bangalore not only preserve the city's architectural legacy but also provide a platform for artistic expression, community engagement, and culinary exploration. The govt needs to incentivize businesses and owners who use heritage spaces with tax sops, waivers and infrastructure support. By supporting these initiatives, we can ensure the continued accessibility of these cultural gems for generations to come.