Heritage Revitalised

As heritage structures walk the tightrope to be relevant, they have found an unexpected lifeline in hospitality.

- BY BINDU GOPAL RAO

Conservation, restoration, and preservation of heritage structures is a laborious and comprehensive procedure.

Hoteliers are examining these spaces to ensure they can adapt and reuse them in a hospitality context.

REMODELLING AND REUSE

In recent times, several heritage spaces have made way for commercial spaces which have lost all elements of heritage. Hence, there has been a concerted effort to revive heritage and make it accessible to people, nurture the culture and history and turn it into spaces where people can experience tradition and heritage.

Atul Khanna, Founder, Vivaana Culture Hotels, says, "We have conserved and restored two havelis into hotels. A 150-year-old haveli turned into VIVAANA Culture Hotel and another 100-year-old haveli turned into VIVAANA Museum Hotel. These havelis were once the residence of the Marwari Seths (traders) and were abandoned many years ago, but we conserved them, restored them, and gave them adaptive reuse by converting them into a heritage hotel, restaurant, and a museum.

Adaptive reuse was important as it kept the heritage structure alive and made it sustainable."

COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

Converting a heritage property into a hotel involves a careful process that balances historical preservation with modern amenities.

A thorough study of the property's history and structural integrity is conducted, including assessments of foundations, walls, and systems like plumbing and electrical work.