KMC Revokes Order, Roxy Heritage Facade to Stay

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has revoked its earlier order to demolish Roxy cinema hall and has now decided to retain the heritage facade of one of the most iconic single screen theatres in the city. KMC’s project management unit (PMU), which is in charge of the fate of all heritage buildings in the Kolkata metropolitan area, has overturned the civic body’s earlier order.

However, film shows that stopped at the theatre since last year, will not resume.

The demolition order was earlier issued by the then Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee who had claimed that the Roxy building had no historical or architectural significance. His comments drew strong protests from architects and heritage conservationists from the city and beyond. The structure is included in the grade II-A list prepared by the PMU.

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The facade of Roxy cinema hall is a mix of the 19th century colonial architectural style and 20th century Art Deco.

A source privy to the latest PMU decision, informed, the Roxy heritage facade will be restored and preserved. The rear part, however, will be demolished for the construction of a new building that will house several KMC departments. The rest of the space, the source said, will be leased out.

KMC laws say that no external change is allowed to grade II-A heritage buildings. Construction is allowed in the open/adjacent land of the building and only if it complements the existing structure’s design. The new construction, in no way, can obstruct the view of the heritage structure.