CSMT and the BMC building were among the first in Mumbai to use cantilevered staircases. The stairs were instead embedded in the wall at one end, with the other end 'free'. Sitaram Khanderao, who assisted Stevens on the BMC building, would go on to use cantilevered stairs for the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which he designed in collaboration with D.N. Mirza.
Though artificially illuminated now, the inner dome was originally ventilated with natural light entering through large portholes. The dome has a balustrade running around its perimeter from where visitors can look down to the entrance gallery and grand staircase below. A running band of floral motifs carved in stucco adorn the base of the perimeter.
Frederick W. Stevens had originally designed a full-height bay window decorated with stained glass at one end of the Corporation Hall. Light entering through this window naturally illuminated the hall. In front of this bay window was a raised platform used by speakers. This arrangement was later changed, with the raised platform now moved to the side.
Frederick W. Stevens died in 1900. During his professional career as an architect, Stevens was exceptionally prolific. Many iconic buildings in Bombay are his masterpieces. This includes, in addition to the CSMT and the BMC building, the Royal Alfred Sailor's Home (Maharashtra Police Headquarters), the Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Offices (Western Railway Headquarter), the Chartered Bank building, the Mulji Jetha Fountain and the Army and Navy Cooperative Society Store.
The inner dome is located at a height of 90 feet from the ground. In recent times, the inner dome has been beautifully restored as part of ongoing conservation efforts. Other than structural restoration, the dome has been painted and special lighting has been installed for daytime illumination.
Chair of the mayor with BMC coat-of-arms. Though the mayor is the first citizen of Mumbai, the position is ceremonial. Executive power is actually wielded by an IAS officer who serves as municipal commissioner. Elections are held every five years and elected corporators are responsible for the basic civic infrastructure and enforcement of tax collection.
Another architectural feature common between the BMC building and CSMT is the extensive use of stained-glass windows. They depict various themes linked to the evolution of Mumbai under the British Empire, for example, in this window, the wooden ship is symbolic of the maritime trade that brought wealth and colonial administration to the city.
Often overlooked and under-appreciated in the detailing of BMC is the extensive use of Minton tiles for the flooring. These tiles were originally imported from Straffordshire, England. The Minton's were experts in ceramic design and a leading tile manufacturer in Victorian England. Their tiles were much sought after and were used in some of the iconic buildings of the nineteenth century, like the US Capitol and both houses of the British Parliament.
Detail of a monkey plucking mangoes. Stevens was keen to provide an Indian context to his buildings, not only through architectural forms but also by depiction of Indian flora and fauna, and how they behave in their natural environment. Stevens himself designed the artwork of various flora and fauna scenes that find extensive depiction in the BMC building.
Over 128 years, the BMC building has been modified to make provisions for piped water, electrical fittings and other modern amenities. The usage of spaces has also changed as the municipality has expanded its way of functioning. For example, rooms on the ground floor have been converted to offices of political parties who send elected corporators to BMC.