Tata Centre
| Tata Centre | |
|---|---|
Tata Centre (right) as viewed from the Brigade Parade Ground | |
| Record height | |
| Tallest in East and Northeast India from 1963 to 1976[I] | |
| Surpassed by | Chatterjee International Center |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Architectural style | Modernism (RCC-framed construction) |
| Location | Chowringhee Road, Kolkata, India |
| Address | 43 J. L. Nehru Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Inaugurated | 1963 |
| Owner | Tata Group |
| Height | |
| Roof | 79 metres (259 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 18 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Utopian Associates |
| Developer | Tata Group |
| References | |
| [1] | |
Tata Centre is a high-rise commercial building in Kolkata, India.[2] It is located on Chowringhee Road in the central business district (CBD) of the city. The building houses most of the Tata Group's city operations.
History
Tata Centre was constructed in the early 1960s and officially inaugurated in 1963 as the flagship office of the Tata Group in eastern India. Its completion marked the beginning of Kolkata’s vertical growth in the post-independence era.[3] At the time, it became the tallest building in Kolkata, outstripping nearby colonial-era structures and reflecting India's growing industrial aspirations.[4]
Tata Centre held the distinction of being the tallest office building in the city until 1976, when it was surpassed by the 24-storey Chatterjee International Center.[5]
Architecture and Design
Designed by Utopian Associates, the structure showcases early modernist design trends, including an RCC (reinforced concrete) framework, curtain glass walls, and steel features.[3] The building comprises 18 storeys and incorporates central air-conditioning, an underground parking facility, seven passenger elevators, and an internal BSNL telephone exchange.[6]
It was also among the first buildings in India at the time to feature HVAC systems, centralized communication wiring, and elevators with automatic controls.[3]
Location and Urban Context
Tata Centre is located on Chowringhee Road, one of Kolkata’s most prominent avenues, directly within the Central Business District (CBD).[7] This area is home to several financial institutions, government offices, and corporate headquarters.[3]
Nearby high-rise buildings include Everest House (1978), Jeevan Sudha (1986), and Chatterjee International Center, placing Tata Centre amidst a cluster of vertical developments that define Kolkata’s skyline.[8]
Tenants and Occupancy
Tata Centre functions as the eastern regional headquarters for Tata Group companies. It houses the offices of Tata Steel (marketing), Tata Metaliks, Tata Pigments, Tata Sponge, Tata International, TELCON, Tata Mutual Fund, and others.[3]
According to official government records from the West Bengal Labour Commissionerate, Tata Steel Ltd. at Tata Centre employs 656 regular employees and over 250 contractual staff.[9]
Structural Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 79 m (259 ft) |
| Floors | 18 (above ground) |
| Elevators | 7 passenger lifts |
| HVAC | Central air conditioning system |
| Parking | Underground car park |
| Frame | RCC with curtain glass wall |
| Communications | Integrated BSNL telephone exchange |
These technical facilities made Tata Centre one of the most technologically advanced commercial towers of its era.[3]
Transport and Accessibility
Tata Centre is centrally positioned with excellent access to transportation. It is within walking distance of Maidan, Esplanade, and Park Street Metro stations. Numerous bus routes, taxis, and auto-rickshaws also serve the Chowringhee corridor.[10]
Sealdah Railway Station is about 15 minutes away by road, offering regional rail connectivity. The site is also pedestrian-friendly, with paved walkways and wide footpaths.[11]
Cultural and Urban Impact
Tata Centre was not merely a corporate building; it became symbolic of Kolkata’s transition from colonial commercial architecture to the modern Indian economy. It represents a period of industrial optimism and ambition during post-independence India.[4]
Its presence influenced future developments along Chowringhee Road and set the template for the integration of infrastructure, aesthetics, and utility in commercial real estate.
See Also
- List of tallest buildings in Kolkata
- Chatterjee International Center
- Everest House (Kolkata)
- Jeevan Sudha
- Tata Group
References
- ^ "Emporis building ID 104414". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020.
- ^ "Tata Centre". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "TATA Centre – Kolkata". Wikimapia. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b Souvik Chowdhury (2019). "The Dilemma of Identity: Representing Contemporary Kolkata". ResearchGate. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Chatterjee International". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Tata Centre Technical Profile". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Tata Steel Downstream Products Ltd (TSPDL) – Company Profile and News". Bloomberg. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Subhro Niyogi (18 July 2010). "Dream Projects Aim For The Sky". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Establishment Profile – Tata Steel Ltd at Tata Centre". Labour Commissionerate, West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Kolkata Metro Station Map". Metro Railway Kolkata. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Central Kolkata Transport Report". Transport Department, Govt. of West Bengal. Retrieved 23 June 2025.