royal bombay yacht club mumbai

Timeline of Restoration: Old Yacht Club, Mumbai

The old yacht club, formerly known as the royal Bombay yacht club, was founded in 1846 in Colaba. It was initially envisioned to be one of the premiere gentlemen’s clubs in the Mumbai area. Today this Mumbai Yacht club acts as the headquarters of the department of atomic energy government of India. It served the Tata institute of fundamental research for a brief period in 1949. John Adams designed the old yacht club. John Adams is credited with designing the Mumbai Gymkhana, Police courts etc. and has a street named after him. 

The club’s location, Close to the coast, offers a splendid overlooking view of the Gateway of India. It lies near some of the architectural wonders of Mumbai city, like the Taj hotel, Maharashtra police headquarters, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, to name a few. The club is known for its sailing facilities on the Arabian sea. Other than that, it houses a library, Club shop, Bar, Lounge, and ballrooms for its exclusive members. The club offers chambers for residence overlooking the Gateway of India, a bar, a lounge, a restaurant , ballrooms, a club shop, a library, a members’ sleeping room, and sailing facilities in the Arabian Sea.

Style and Architecture  | Mumbai Yacht Club

The Royal yacht club was built in indo – gothic style of architecture with Victorian interiors. Gothic style was prevalent in Bombay during the mid- 19th century . The building boasts a rich material palette consisting of Mangalore tiles, Wood, and extensive plaster work. It has intricate glasswork in its openings and features a rich earthy color palette. The stone cladding on the exterior gives the yacht club exquisite air. The Roof style is an amalgamation of sloping roofs and conical pointed roofs at the edges of the building, accentuating the structure. The original interior was Victorian in style and featured intricate woodwork with a smooth plaster finish on the walls. The stained glass adds to the signature gothic look of the old yacht club. Wood’s rich brown tones and creamy white palette give a royal look. The corridors and interiors see the extensive use of pointed arches set against high ceilings, another prominent feature of gothic architecture.

The old yacht club building is an essential milestone in the gothic buildings of Bombay. Under the crown rule during the mid-19th century, Bombay’s Gothic style became prominently used. Some famous examples of Gothic-style buildings in Bombay are, The telegraph office, saint Xavier’s college, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, to name a few. While the earliest of them were designed and commissioned by the Britishers, the mid-1800s saw a rise in the opium and cotton trade, making Indian merchants wealthier. This led to them also commissioning work from British architects as an attempt to mark their presence in Mumbai . This was succeeded by the birth of the Hindu gothic style, which saw elements like chhatris, jails, domes etc. combined with typical gothic features like split facades, multi-colored stained glasses, etchings, and engravings in the façade, pointed arches etc., used in a mixture of Indian and foreign material palette.

Restoration

The restoration of the Old Yacht club was initially done by Ar. Vikas Dilwari in the year 2012. It included efforts to restore the club’s original Victorian interiors and treat its exteriors and common areas. Art deco style was introduced to the flooring, making it lively and cheerful. This was followed by restoration efforts by Somaya and Kalappa architects , a conservation firm based out of Mumbai. They worked on strengthening the original structure. The requirements of the new user, the department of atomic energy government of India, were kept in mind during the restoration. The year 1976 saw about one-third of the structure being demolished due to structural reasons. So R.C.C. interventions had to be done by S.N.K. The restoration efforts received much applause and an award of merit from UNESCO during the 2013 Asia-Pacific Heritage awards. The old yacht club, in all its indo gothic glory, remains a hidden gem in the sea of gothic, Victorian and colonial buildings of Bombay.

History | Mumbai Yacht Club

The old yacht club was constructed in 1846. It was initially presided over by Henry Morland as the club Commodore, responsible for the management and running of the club. It took 30 years for the club to become known as the royal Bombay yacht club, on the recommendation of sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse and the patronage of Queen Victoria. The year 1881 saw the construction of the seafront clubhouse. The prominence of the club rose after that. The royal family of Duke, Duchess of Connaught, and H.R.H. prince Arthur were some of the club’s prominent personalities in its initial years of commencement. The club was initially restricted to Indian members, but flowing a brief closure in 1958 for not accepting Indian members, it started accepting. A clubhouse was added to the existing structure in 1896. The purpose of this clubhouse was to provide accommodations for its members. The new clubhouse was executed in Venetian gothic style with indo Saracenic features.

References:

• Gehi, R., 2022. Cementing history. [online] Mumbai Mirror. Available at: <https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/cementing-history/articleshow/58876770.cms> [Accessed 13 August 2022].
• Rbyc.co.in. 2022. Royal Bombay Yacht Club. [online] Available at: <https://www.rbyc.co.in/> [Accessed 13 August 2022].
• Snkindia.com. 2022. The Old Yacht Club. [online] Available at: <https://www.snkindia.com/project.php?category_id=3&project_id=54> [Accessed 13 August 2022].
• andBeyond. 2022. Bombay Gothic. [online] Available at: <https://www.andbeyond.com/experiences/asia/india/west-india/mumbai/bombay-gothic/#:~:text=The%20essence%20of%20a%20Bombay%20Gothic%20Tour&text=Gothic%20architecture%20in%20India%20originated,%2Dcoloured%20stained%2Dglass%20windows.> [Accessed 13 August 2022].

An aspiring designer, she believes architecture plays an innate role in adding nuances to the multi faceted world we live in. When not reading, pondering on how design can shape , or be used to influence human behaviour has become her favourite pastime.

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Discover the Royal Bombay Yacht Club: Mumbai’s Nautical Pride

Welcome aboard, get to know the royal bombay yacht club.

Ahoy there! Welcome to the Royal Bombay Yacht Club (RBYC) – the crown jewel of Mumbai’s maritime scene. Nestled against the panoramic backdrop of the Arabian Sea, this club isn’t just a place; it’s a passage through time, where every sail hoisted carries a piece of history.

Table of Contents

Since 1846, the RBYC has been more than a landmark; it’s a home for sea lovers and a hub for sailing aficionados. If you’ve ever dreamed of skimming the waves in style or sipping tea while watching ships glide by, you’re in the right spot. Let’s embark on a journey through the club’s storied halls and vibrant waters.

Club Origins

How the royal bombay yacht club began.

It all started with a group of British officers and merchants who shared a passion for the sea. They laid the foundation for what would become a sanctuary for Mumbai’s yachting community. The Royal in its name? That’s no mere decoration – it’s a badge of honor bestowed by Queen Victoria herself.

From British Rule to Modern Times

The club has sailed through eras, witnessed India’s journey to independence, and evolved without ever losing its original charm. It stands today as a testament to the time when it first unfurled its sails, proudly facing the Gateway of India, a companion piece in history.

Membership Access

Joining the royal bombay yacht club.

Becoming a member of the RBYC is like being admitted into an exclusive circle of nautical enthusiasts. It’s not just about what you pay; it’s about what you cherish – the love for the sea and the respect for tradition.

Special Access for Visiting Sailors

And if you’re just docking in Mumbai, fear not. The club extends a hand of friendship to visiting sailors with temporary memberships. So you, too, can taste the maritime splendor without the long-term commitment.

Club Offerings

Rooms with a view: staying at the club.

Wake up to the sight of the sun spilling gold over the Arabian Sea. The club’s residential chambers offer a spectacle like no other, with each room offering a unique view of Mumbai’s spirited waters.

Eat and Drink at the Club’s Venues

From a morning brew to an evening feast, the club’s dining options cater to every palate. Relish the culinary expertise of the chefs in a setting that complements the savory experiences with scenic vistas.

Fun and Games: Club Activities

But it’s not all about the sea. The RBYC offers a gamut of activities to keep you entertained on land. From billiards to bridge, every leisure pursuit is steeped in the same elegance that the club embodies.

Sailing Adventures

Setting sail: yachting with the club.

The heart of the club beats with the rhythm of the waves. With a fleet that boasts grace and history, members can take to the sea with the confidence that comes from the club’s esteemed sailing legacy.

Races and Events on the Sea

For those with a competitive spirit, the club’s calendar is dotted with regattas and races. Partake in the thrill of competition or the camaraderie of a shared voyage across the Mumbai harbor.

The Club’s Design

The look of the royal bombay yacht club.

Step into the RBYC and you step into a world where architecture sings of an elegant past. Its Venetian Gothic design, interlaced with elements of Indian aesthetics, makes the club a visual feast, as delightful to the eyes as the sea is to the sailors.

The Story Behind the Club’s Style

Every archway and window pane at the RBYC whispers tales of the days of yore. Designed to impress, the club’s structure is a cherished piece of Mumbai’s architectural legacy, inviting members and guests to wander through its history-laden corridors.

The Sailing Community

Meet the club’s sailors.

The real treasure of the RBYC isn’t just its majestic sails or historic walls; it’s the vibrant community that animates its premises. Here, bonds are forged over shared adventures, and stories are passed down like precious heirlooms.

Learn to Sail at the Club

Dream of conquering the waves? The club’s seasoned instructors will turn that dream into reality with classes that cater to every level, from the greenest of landlubbers to seasoned skippers looking to polish their tacks and jibes.

Dress Codes and Club Rules

At the RBYC, tradition is dressed in finery. Adherence to the dress code isn’t just about looking good; it’s about honoring the club’s storied past. So don your best and revel in the elegance that this institution upholds.

What’s Happening at the Club

The club’s calendar is a carousel of events, each one a chance to dive into the club’s social whirlpool. Whether it’s a high-stakes regatta or a laid-back evening soiree, there’s always something stirring the waters at the RBYC.

Wrapping Up

Why we love the royal bombay yacht club.

As our journey through the RBYC comes to a close, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a club; it’s a gateway to an ocean of memories. It’s a place where the spirit of sailing and the pulse of Mumbai merge into a wave of unforgettable experiences.

More than Just a Club: A Community

So, if you are yearning for a place where the sea is a lifestyle and camaraderie rides the wind, cast your anchor at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Here, you’re not just a member; you’re part of a legacy that sails beyond the horizon.

Learn more about yacht club’s lifestyle here

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100 Years 100 Stories

Restoring the Royal Bombay Yacht Club

A custom-designed Heritage™ carpet welcomes visitors to the Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Winner of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Conservation Award for 2013. Architect Vikas Dilawari. Courtesy BFT Archives

When the grand old Indo-Gothic architectural building of Mumbai, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club in Colaba, was restored with the guests still in residence, there was much jubilation. Even more so when it made the honours list in 2013 of the prestigious annual UNESCO Asia -Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Crumbling Edifice

Founded in 1846 with Henry Moland as the club commodore and later renamed on the recommendation of Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse and under the patronage of Queen Victoria, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club remains to date one of the premier gentlemen’s clubs established in Mumbai. In 1896, the residential chambers, designed by John Adams and supervised by F.E Stevens, were built to accommodate members and visiting associates. However, over the years, the building fell into disrepair with the innards of the structure gradually falling apart. Journalist and blogger Sandip Ghose writes “The residential floors seemed haunted at night, with cats running amok, and the rooms were depressing”. After more than a century of use, the beautifully patterned floor had lost much of its charm with many of the original Minton tiles getting vandalised or damaged. They were expensive to import - so in the case of reconstruction, the original tiles were removed and replaced with another set of tiles.

In 2012, an ambitious project was undertaken to carefully restore the age-old heritage building. Helmed by Conservation Architect Vikas Dilawari, it took a period of 3 years to bring the structure to its original glory. Bharat Floorings & Tiles, a legacy company which has played an integral role in the restoration of some of the key heritage establishments in the city, took up the challenging role of creating custom-made tiles to restore the flooring of the residential building. A sensitive restoration, the project was commended for “its high level of technical competence and careful attention to preserving the authenticity of the building’s design”

To be considered for the UNESCO Asia- Pacific Heritage Award required a strict following of the objectives and the eligibility procedure. The three primary criteria as mentioned in the UNESCO Cultural Conservation Award document are: understanding the place, technical achievement, and social and policy impact. It identifies and showcases the best practices in built heritage conservation and restoring properties in the region by private sector parties and public-private partnership. Let's take a brief look at the process that went behind restoring the oft-ignored part of the heritage buildings - the floors - that played a part in R.B.Y.C clinching the Award of Merit .

Meticulous Work

Recreating heritage tiles is quite a tricky process. After much research, Architect Vikas Dilawari wanted tiles to be as similar to the original design to retain the historicity of the building. After all, one of the criteria for qualifying for a UNESCO Award nomination is “how well the conservation/restoration work interprets the property’s cultural, social, historical and architectural significance.”

But it is difficult to construct small pieces in the exact same colour as the originals. The old sizes are too small - only two inches and it is not possible to create such small tiles. Faiyaz Mukhtiar, CEO of BFT reveals that Bharat did not have the designs and had to develop the stencils. He shares that “The whole floor consists of three–four tiles together that become one set and that is repeated”. Dilawari was very particular about it: “Aise hi chahiye, change karo, colour nahi aa raha hai.” (This is how it should be, change it, the colour isn’t coming)

Bharat had to create new stencils and colour schemes to achieve the desired look because the floors combine six different patterns rather than the typical two or three elements found in heritage floors. According to Bhakti Varekar, the designer who crafted the flooring for RBYC, “The club had original Minton tiles which were at least a hundred years old. The tiles had small cuttings, which formed a pattern with small inserts. In the beginning, we took photos and data from the old site. We needed to fit these small tiles figuratively into a Bharat tile which is bigger. In total, we needed 6 tiles to make one pattern”. To match the old flooring, BFT created a 30×30 main tile and 15×15 border tiles - bigger than the original Minton tile. Because it was impossible to make cement tiles in such a small size, they recreated the designs in different sizes. This was done to ensure that the fitting was geometric and that the joints matched. Over several months, prototypes were developed until the floor was a near-exact reproduction of the original Minton floor. According to Architect Vikas Dilawari said, “We copied it and made special moulds and when you do such kind of work it elevates the benchmark”. The project by paying attention to the minutest detail had met the criteria which involved “the use and quality control of appropriate building, artisan and conservation techniques.”

Overall, the restoration of the RBYC clubhouse flooring by Vikas Dilawari and BFT was a painstaking process that involved careful planning, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the building's historical and cultural significance. The end result was a restored clubhouse that retained its original character and charm, while also meeting the functional needs of the club members. Today it enjoys a 1400 member patronage, making it super exclusive, an F&B revamp, and stately rooms restored with modern facilities.

All in all, for Bharat, this was the one restoration project they relished every step of the way.

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Royal Bombay Yacht Club

The Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846 with Henry Morland as club commodore and 30 years later – on the recommendation of Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse and patronage of Queen Victoria became known as Royal Bombay Yacht Club. The seafront clubhouse was built in 1881. This colonial building is constructed in yellow sandstone with arched openings and colonades finished in plaster. The clubhouse has decorative elements on its facade and parapets. It has a pitched roof and circular towerlike staircase blocks. The interior has a wealth of artefacts and historical photos.

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Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Mumbai

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By Avantika Chilkoti

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Where Gateway of India, Mumbai WiFi Yes, in the lounge Plug sockets Yes Price of an espresso Rs30 ($0.50) Open 7.30am-11pm

When people still travelled by sea, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club would have been one of the first buildings visitors spotted when arriving in India. Today, the waterfront venue remains popular with a local crowd that prefer old-world charm to the westernised glitz that has over-run this city.

Clients from abroad, unfamiliar with the quirks of India’s gymkhanas, are easily charmed by this colonial relic with its high ceilings and geometric tiled floors, along with a strict dress code and facilities that include sailing, a library and a billiards room.

The private club is the ideal place to meet clients given its location beside the popular Taj Mahal Palace hotel. The lounge, where wooden fans whirr overhead and staff in mock naval uniforms amble in and out, is rarely busy.

Thanks to a ban on mobile phones, the dining room is the perfect place to secure a client’s undivided attention. It offers uncomplicated Indian and Chinese fare, or dishes so traditionally British they have not been served outside an Oxbridge college in decades. A full meal with drinks will set you back just Rs750 ($12) per person.

That is, of course, subsidised by a hefty lifetime membership fee of Rs1.2m ($19,500), excluding taxes. Members from other clubs around the world can visit on a reciprocal basis, including The East India Club in London and yacht clubs everywhere from Monaco to Hong Kong.

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Royal Bombay Yacht Club

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Apollo Bunder; Mumbai – 400001

22-2202-1880 / 6752-7200

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Tales (not just) from the high seas

The Haven That Is The Royal Bombay Yacht Club

Four thousand miles, accompanied by piracy threats and hundreds of fishing boats (with or without navy personnel), and we needed a break. After spending a night at a very choppy anchorage outside the Gateway To India in Mumbai, we were all desperate to get ashore and chill the hell out.

What better place than the Royal Bombay Yacht Club? Being attendees of the Vasco Da Gama rally we were all granted temporary visitors passes to this bastion of colonial elitism.

The club house itself is in prime Mumbai location, right by the Taj Palace hotel and The Gateway to India and is a very old building dating back to the times of British rule. The paint on the walls is 150 years old too but don’t let that put you off. This was luxury personified, with the best showers since Turkey (yes, that’s 4,000 miles we’ve traveled to find showers that match those of Turkish marinas), a most excellent restaurant, a gentleman’s bar like something out of the scene in The Shining where Jack Nicholson chats to an imaginary barman tending to his every whim, and an air conditioned library so cold one’s nose grew icicles.

We should, at this point, thank Marine Solutions , sponsors of the Vasco Da Gama Rally in India. They smoothed things for us whilst in Mumbai and  Raj, the main contact, excelled himself in ensuring we had a pleasant stay. Marine Solutions put on water taxis and were responsible for getting us in to the yacht club, amongst the other services they provided. Thank you Raj and team!

Entry into the Royal Bombay Yacht Club is by invite only. It is rather exclusive and unavailable to the hoi polloi; permission to photograph its beautiful colonial interior is granted by the club secretary only. Unless you are me and, with complete disregard for bureaucracy, set up the tripod and camera and snapped away. (I should add that I did receive permission to photograph the interior but since my application for permission to do so was not recorded in triplicate it was probably void.)

Here, then, is a short slideshow of the very exclusive Royal Bombay Yacht Club.

Click on the first thumbnail to begin, use the << and >> buttons to scroll through and then click any image to exit the slideshow.

[nggallery id=14]

If you like our content and would like to support us, we will give you ad-free access to our videos before they go live to the public, discounts in our shop, access to Jamie’s iconic full-res photographs, and supporter-only blog posts. Click our ugly mugs for more info!

4 thoughts on “The Haven That Is The Royal Bombay Yacht Club”

was last there in ’84 … good to see it still going … stayed at the taj though , then the taj intercont ‘ , … best curries indeed ! had some great times in bombay !

Ceramic and Steel, those Victorians certainly knew how to create splendour!

Liz & Jamie, first of all congratulations ! you made it and in style ! This last photoreportage leaves me speechless and in sweat: I can feel the heat and humidity in the air, but what a terrific decadence… I raise my glass with Jack, to you, Love, Antonella

Be still my beating heart ! What fabulous interiors. Thanks for the glimpse Jamie. Just beautiful. As for the view from your anchorage nothing short of gorgeous. But I know that India is full of wonder, beauty, hardship and poverty but never less than fascinating. We continue to enjoy Greece and are in the Argolic Gulf now. 😯

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Bombay Club Suite (BCS)

Venue Capacity: 25 Persons

Availablity: 8am – 11pm

Rates are quoted per 4 hours of booking after which an additional hourly rate is applicable

Members: Rs. 3,500 + GST.             Per additional Hour Rs. 875 + GST

Others: Rs. 5,000 + GST.             Per additional Hour Rs. 1,250 + GST

GST Rate applicable is 5%

Advance of 50% of the anticipated bill must be paid in order to make a booking.

Cancellation charges:

Less than 15 days 50 % of venue charges.

Less than 7 days 75 % of venue charges.

Less than 3 days 100 % of venue charges.

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