Ahmedabad-based architect Hiren Patel has transformed two defunct heritage structures in to guesthouses and tourist spots for a leading heritage hotel management group of Gujarat – the Gopi Group. The projects have set a precedent for other similar projects in Gujarat.

   The synonym for ‘heritage’ is inheritance. Very often old structures, out inheritance by culture, fall to total disregard until an enterprising mind conserves it to befit today’s context. Commendable then does the patron for revitalizing this heritage take the initiative. The Gopi Group, a leading heritage hotel management group of Gujarat, has done just this by restoring and connecting the properties managed by them. Besides Balaram palace Resort, their flagship heritage property near Palanpur, the Gopi Group recently took change of Old Bell Guest House at Sayla, Garden Palace (the Nawab’s Palace) at Balasinor, Royal Oasis at Wankaner and RannRiders (Safari Camp) at Dasada. Says Rajendra Thakkar, Director, Gopi Group, “The creation of this unique heritage circuit will be a big boost to the state’s tourism with an added awareness created for its historic architecture.

   Along with providing the guest with ‘royal’ experience of our properties, we will also be promoting other places, which highlight our rich heritage. Moreover, there is no other organization having its own circuit in Gujarat. Adds Dilip Thakkar, the MD of Gopi Group, “Heritage tourism is one of the mainstay of Indian tourism and a big attraction for both international and domestic tourists. Besides personal love and interest in places of historic interest, the motivation to venture into the business of heritage hotels was to ensure that these magnificent edifices don’t lose their charm due to neglect.”

A pioneering dream

   The journey for the Group began with the Balaram Place Resort in Palanpur. Architect MM Patel handled the initial process of restoration. With the passage of time the Group synergized with Ahmedabad-based architect Hiren Patel. Says an enthusiastic Thakkar “He is a sensitive architect and also has managed restoring the projects keeping in mind our budgets and functional changes.” On his part Hiren comments. “To work on a heritage property is always fun and remains a unique experience. Involving yourself into it makes you aware about the challenges it has. To convert such places in today’s context is a big task.”

   The Balaram Palace is a gracious work of neo-classical architecture, with 13 acres of private woodlands and formally landscaped gardens. After renovation to its former grandeur, the Balaram Palace houses suites, a Nawabi style garden, lawns for parties, swimming pool, indoor games, multi-gm health club, restaurant, conference hall, board meeting room and other deluxe facilities. Hiren is currently designing ancillary structures within the premise, in the form of tents. He explains, “Balaram is a well-mentioned heritage property. Adding a new and small retreat for the owner under the finalization of the design as well as assign a few more room (doubling the room capacity to 17) is a great challenge.”

   The success of the Balaram Palace restoration was completed by it bagging the SATTE Award by Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH) on the occasion of World Heritage Day in April 2002. It prompted the group to acquire other palaces and heritage properties to design a circuit to showcase the rich heritage of the state. From the Balaram Palace Resort project, Hiren and the Gopi Group have come a ling way to further restoring other projects- the Old Bell Guest House at Sayla and the Royal Oasis at Wakaner being the prominent ones.

A lifestyle restored. . .

   The Jhala Rajput dynasty had established themselves as rulers of Gujarat since 1125 AD and when their dynasty split, the senior most line came to establish Wankaner in 1605. Maharana Raj Shri Amarsinhji, the last ruler developed the state and built all in Wankaner.

   With the closest airport being Jamnagar at 140kms, the Royal Oasis at Wankaner is set amidst lush greenery by the Machhu River and is part of the Ranjit Vilas Palace, built by Maharaja Amarsinhji and now owned by his descendant Yuvraj Digvijay Singh, the Union Minister for Environment, Government of India. The Ranjit Vilas Palace is an impressive three- storied building in the unique blend of Venetian, Gothic, Rajput and Islamic styles with arches, domed minaret and clock tower. In contrast is the design of the Royal Oasis Guest House in Art Deco style of architecture, built between 1930-1940, contemporary in its overall look as compared to the surrounding other structures of that period.

   Also called the Motiwadi Royal Oasis Guest House, the building comprises the main building with 12 suites, an indoor swimming pool and ancillary structures like staff quarters attached. An interesting feature in the premise is an exquisitely carved step well built in the 20th century, which acts as a natural cooling system, and is hidden within a G + 1 building in Art Deco style. This is the only ‘vaav’ (step well) of its time and is three-storeys below ground level, complete with fountains.

   The scale of the project being large, there were financial constraints and the project was on the way to be unviable. The massive earthquake that hit Gujarat in 2001 increased the amount of repairs within the structure. Says Hiren, “Apart from the economical problems, the site plan that we had was very indefinable.” But what helped the project were the comparatively well-maintained interiors and the passion that the Maharajah had for this building.

   The revitalization process has been done keeping in mind the original architecture and available retained furniture – from the original art deco marble bathrooms to the swimming pool from the same period. And some areas like the courtyard and fountain, which existed previously but were either damaged or no longer in use, have been re-planned and constructed. The guesthouse boasts of a king’s and queen’s bathrooms in blue mirrored glass. “The king’s bathroom was intact and in all its finery. So we adapted the same in the other bathroom to complement this one and they both became part of the suites.” A simple landscape plan connects the complex. Says Thakkar, “The entire project was accomplished in a shoestring budget in a realistic manner. The property was made economically viable and the unnoticed beautiful place was prevented from becoming a ruin.” Adds Hiren, “The guesthouse has sustained days of crisis through the construction and during the earthquake; and today we have a nice small romantic hotel here. The whole experience gave us tremendous joy and satisfaction.”

   With an amalgamation of varied styles and architecture reflecting in the guesthouse, swimming pool and step well and open spaces, courtyards and a lush landscape around, the Royal Oasis does seem to live to its name.

From dust to a new dawn...

   Located about 135 kms form Ahmedabad and 80 kms from Rajkot, the princely state of Sayla was founded by prince Seshmaji of the Rajput Jhala clan in 1751 A.D. This was in an era when feudal annexation of territories was underway and 42 villages along with 222 square meters surrounding the present day Sayla came under the Prince’s reign. The Old Bell Guest House was inaugurated in 1890 to house special guests of the State of Sayla.It was named after a political agent of the British Crown and sits amidst 24 acres of landscape. When the Gopi Group took over after the massive earthquake in 2001,the entire landscape was barren with the building uninhabited and in a dilapidated condition. There were several constraints that Hiren had to consider before he started the restoration. He explains,” Apart from a tight financial budget there was already some civil work and finishing done, which had to be maintained. The entire landscape had to be redone and there was a limited source of water, that too was salty.”

   But the salient character of the building was that it had an old-world charm through its Colonial style of architecture-both externally and within. Hiren has worked around this characteristic to create quaint spaces that work as bedrooms, restaurant, balconies and sit-outs. The rooms, ten in number totally, have been designed with a touch of contemporary reflected on the finishes on the wall, furnishings and inclusion of modern amenities available for the visitor. Adds Hiren,”Europe has always hastened in realizing such buildings and always focused on its survival. But this notion, today Europe has many beautiful places, where heritage properties are converted into hotels, museums, art galleries and music alleys. We should learn from the facts and should take initiatives accordingly. Our firm underwent one such challenge while converting this dilapidated guesthouse into a hotel within limited resources.”

   The immediate landscape now boasts of a garden with a tennis court, cricket pitch for net practice and a unique outdoor Chess board with large sized chessmen, forming the focus of the site.” The chessboard was an integral part of the original site. And so were, according to the plan, a water body and lawns. These have been retained and additional amenities for the visitors have been included to make the Guest House a complete place to stay.”

   Completed within few months on a tight budget, the Guest House retains its simplicity and yet exudes a quiet grandness, apparent more now because of its newly achieved face lift.

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