Visvesvaraya Tower
Visvesvaraya Tower
Situated on Dr B R Ambedkar Veedhi, the Visvesvaraya Tower is one of Bangalore’s tall buildings. It has 21 floors and measures 85 metres in height. It was built between 1974 and 1980. Designed by the famous architect Charles Correa, the tower is like a bunch of alien periscopes protruding from the earth’s crust and standing tall. It is almost as if we have somebody watching us from the earth’s core! (I don’t mean this in a bad way) The building’s surface has the raw concrete finish and has the markings from the concrete castings. All in all, this is one of Bangalore’s most unique buildings.
This building houses government offices. Apparently, you get a beautiful view of the city from the top-most floor of this building. But since the proceedings of commissions of enquiries are conducted on this floor, you can only enter here if you are a witness, an accused, police personnel on duty, a lawyer representing the plaintiff or defendant or a journalist covering the proceedings!
Now, isn’t that a pity! If I were the government, I would have made sure of making good revenue in some way from the view. Either open it to the public through a separate entrance and charge for the view or lease it to a private restaurant and charge them heavily for the use of space. I am sure the restaurant would be a hit!
A view through the trees
Personally I think this building is one of the most beautiful in Bangalore. Sadly most people nowadays react to it with “Charles who?” or “It looks weird”
Chitra,
I personally think its a monstrous eyesore and sticks out like a sore thumb in the vicinity of gracious, old-time, architecturally unique buildings like the High Court, the Vidhana Soudha & the RAj Bhavan. Reading that Charles Correa was its architect does nothing to lessen my opinion. However, this is my opinion and I respect others who think this is marvellous!
Ravi
Someone, Ravi, I like the building, but know that a lot of people don’t. Also, the reason why I didn’t say that I like it in the post. :) I say it is unique, cause there is not one other building like this one.
Strangely enough it’s meant to look like a swan from side on. And if you look hard enough one can actually see that, a short tail, a body and a long neck. Grace in concrete!
Thank you, Blr Bytes, cause I did not know that! Now, I have to see the swam somehow! :) Let me see. How did you know that tho’? I always thought the building was made to look like periscopes, well because it is so obvious!
Chitra,
Its unique all right, that much I have to concede. But its still an eyesore. Ah well, perhaps we should debate it out later?!
Cheers,
Ravi
Oh, one of those old Bangalore stories. It was designed by a pretty famous architect though so rather a swan than a periscope!
nice set