IHCL Fulfills Ratan Tata’s Vision with Launch of Taj Bandstand in Mumbai.

Mumbai is set to welcome a new luxury landmark as Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) begins work on Taj Bandstand, a premium hospitality project envisioned by the late Ratan Tata. On Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Tata Sons Chairperson N Chandrasekaran performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the hotel, which will be developed at the site of the former Sea Rock hotel, overlooking the Arabian Sea.

Taj Bandstand will feature 330 luxury rooms, 85 service apartments, 20,000 sq. ft. of convention space, shopping areas, and multiple dining options. Once operational, the hotel is expected to generate annual revenues of ₹1,000 crore, making it comparable to IHCL’s flagship property, the 120-year-old Taj Mahal Palace, which currently contributes around ₹800 crore in annual revenue.

IHCL is investing ₹2,500 crore in the project, covering land acquisition and pre-construction expenses. The site, located opposite Taj Lands End, will bring IHCL’s total room capacity in the area to over 800. Four acres of the project space will be dedicated to public facilities, including a park and an amphitheater.

The company is awaiting municipal clearance to commence construction and aims to complete the project by the end of 2028. Chandrasekaran emphasized that Taj Bandstand will be built to the highest standards of luxury and will serve as a new symbol for Mumbai, while the open space around the hotel will provide a unique experience for citizens.

The site of Taj Bandstand carries a rich legacy. Originally built in 1978 by the Luthria family, Sea Rock was Mumbai’s first suburban five-star hotel and a popular destination for celebrities. ITC took over operations in 1986, but the hotel was severely damaged in the 1993 terror attacks and never reopened due to ownership disputes. In 2005, Suresh Nanda of the Claridges Hotel acquired the property for ₹300 crore, before IHCL took an 85% stake in 2009. Legal and environmental hurdles delayed redevelopment until IHCL secured full ownership in 2020.

With Taj Bandstand, IHCL is set to restore the site’s former glory, reinforcing Mumbai’s reputation as a global hospitality hub.

HBL