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.
At the rear of the BMC building, at the end of the garden, Frederick Stevens installed a pyaav (fountain) which was a source of drinking water for horses. This fountain has figures of birds on them, hence known as the Pigeon Fountain.
The V-shaped plot allotted for the BMC building considerably limited the kind of freedom Frederick Stevens had while designing CSMT and his earlier projects, where the plots were larger and symmetrical. To maximize the available space, Stevens pushed the building to the edge of the plot, which opened enough space at the rear that he used as a garden.
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 Staffordshire, England. The Mintons 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.
In 2018, UNESCO awarded World Heritage status to the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensemble of Mumbai. In its citation, UNESCO noted ’Both the Victorian Gothic and the Art Deco ensembles exhibit an important exchange of European and Indian human values over a span of time. The Victorian assemblage of grand public buildings created an Indo-Gothic style by blending Gothic Revival elements with Indian elements, with adaptations in response to the local climate by introducing balconies and verandas.’
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.
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.
The Corporation Hall is richly detailed with moulded wooden panels covered in gold leaf. Busts of figures representing the various communities of Mumbai hold heraldic shields with the initials CB marked on them (CB stands for Corporation of Bombay). The ceiling is made of unpolished teakwood.
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 the 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.
The Corporation Hall has a collection of busts and statues of prominent personalities from Indian history, freedom fighters, and eminent citizens of Mumbai who contributed greatly to the development of the city. Seen here are the busts of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.