Ripon Building, Chennai

ESTABLISHED: 1913

YEARS COMPLETED: 101 years

The building is a fine example of neoclassical style of architecture. It was built over a period of four years and the inauguration, apparently, was witnessed by over 3,000 of the city's elite.

History:

Ripon Building, a fine modern attempt at the Indo-Saracenic, is the headquarters of the Corporation, to which the move from Errabalu Chetty street was made in 1913. A magnificant white building, it was built by Loganatha Mudaliar who received Rs.5.5 lakhs for his share of the Rs.7.5 lakhs work. Four years under construction, Ripon building is 252 feet long and 126 feet wide. Its tower is 132-foot tall and features a clock eight feet in diameter. The first of its three floors has a 25,000 sq.ft. area, It was declared open at a function attended by over 3000 of the city's elite. Lord Ripon, Viceroy from 1880-1884, when he introduced local government reforms is remembered in a statue here.

During the year 1947, Building Dept. was under the control of Works Department, headed by an Engineer. The following were the chief functions of the Works Department:
1. Execution of all works pertaining to the construction and maintenance of roads, pavements, culverts, bridges, buildings, parks, etc.,
2. Maintenance of records of all Corporation lands and buildings.
3. Regulation of the construction of buildings and structures according to the provisions of the City Municipal Act and the Town Planning Act.
4. Improvements to slums, land development and housing the poor.
5. Preparation of Town Planning Schemes and their execution.

There were 50 Overseers, each in charge of a division to look after building and road works of the concerned division. Each Overseer had a gang of coolies with a Maistry to promptly attend to all repair works of road, foot-paths, etc.

In most of the divisions there were stores for the Overseers to keep materials and equipment, etc.,

Plans and estimates for construction of new roads and buildings, improvements to existing buildings, preparation of specifications for inviting tenders in connection with works proposed to be let out on contract, were dealt with by the Drawing Section comprising of one Head Draftsman, 8 Draftsman and 2 Tracers.

All the buildings in the City owned by the Corporation were under the control of the Engineer, who attends to their proper maintenance.

For more information please visit:
http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/building/history.htm