Port Trust War Memorial is located on Jamadar Bapu Laxman Chowk, named after Bapu Laxman Lamkhade. He was the first Customs officer to be conferred the President’s Award in 1964, and again in 1979 (posthumously), for effecting a large number of opium seizures, gold, and counterfeit currency. Feared by smugglers, he was given the epithet 'Kohinoor of the Indian Customs'.
The development of Ballard Estate coincided with the outbreak of World War I (1914-18) in which India sent troops on behalf of the British Empire. The Port Trust War Memorial records the significant contribution of the Port of Bombay in WWI. It mentions the passage of 18,70,000 troops and personnel through the docks to different theatres of the war. The first transport left Bombay on August 21, 1914.
Wakefield House is located on SS Ramgoolam Marg (former Sprott Road), named after the founding father of Mauritius, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, often referred to as Chacha Ramgoolam or SSR. He served as the nation's first Prime Minister (1968-1982) and had roots in Bihar, from where his father had arrived in Mauritius as a laborer in 1896.
Commemorative plaques were erected by the trustees of Bombay Port Trust in honor of officers who sacrificed their lives in WWI. The names include Captain Eric Stuart Dougall (died 14th April 1918), 2nd Lieutenant Ronald Edward Wilson (died 11th March 1916), and Giacinto Romagnoli (died 11th October 1916). Dougall was awarded the Victoria Cross for his deeds on 10 April 1918 at Messines, Belgium. Prior to his war service, Dougall was an Assistant Engineer at Bombay Port Trust.
Winged lions on the Port Trust War Memorial. The motif is an ancient one, having origins in Mesopotamia and Assyria. It appeared on the flag of the Republic of Venice, a major maritime power during the Middle Ages. The winged lion motif appears in many buildings in Mumbai which were designed by architects inspired by Venetian Gothic architecture.
Lettering at Marshall Sons and Co., which was an engineering company. It now has offices of the Central Bank of India on its ground floor. Completed in 1906, this was among the first buildings to come up at Ballard Estate, built during the first phase of development. Seen here are pillars of the Ionic order featuring twin volutes as pillar capitals.
RPL House on Walchand Hirachand Marg was earlier called Shahibagh House, named after the Shahibagh Palace in Ahmedabad. The building is made of Malad stone with an arcade of semi-circular arches on the ground floor. Upper-level windows have extended overhangs. Its facade was restored by conservation architect Vikas Dilawari in 2000.
Mackinnon Mackenzie and Co. is made of yellowish-brown masonry and is located at the junction of Walchand Hirachand Marg and Shoorji Vallabhdas Road. The imposing building overlooks the entrance to Indira Docks (former Alexandra Docks). The main doorway is flanked by ornamental brackets supporting a capital with a marble statue placed on top.
Indian Mercantile Chambers on R Kamani Marg hold offices of Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). MMB was established in 1996 to bring autonomy and adequate flexibility to the development and administration of small ports in Maharashtra. MMB is tasked with the administration of ports and harbors, opening inland water transportation, licensing of crafts, regulation, and control of traffic, etc.
Hindustan Bhavan on S Vallabhdas Road is named after Hindustan Petroleum Ltd., the owner of the building. The entrance porch is supported by two sets of twin pillars. The windows at the upper levels have weather shades supported on brackets. The first-floor windows have projecting balconies supported by a cornice that runs around the building.