Semi-circular arched windows with moldings and projecting imposts on the ground floor of Darabshaw House which was once open and let in natural light and air. The sealing of the windows is symptomatic of changes made in buildings at Ballard Estate in order to accommodate modern building requirements, like the installation of air conditioning units.
The entrance to Darabshaw House is through a semi-circular arched doorway with moldings. Above the entrance, a row of stone brackets supports a balcony that runs around the cornice. Note the bollard on the footpath. Originally, bollards were used for mooring ships to the dock but are now installed to control road traffic.
Darabshaw House is a corner building at the intersection of Shoorji Vallabhdas Road and N Morarji Road. It was earlier the site of the Regent Hotel, one of two hotels in Ballard Estate (Grand Hotel is the other) at the time when it was built. It now houses the offices of Condé Nast India.
The Darabshaw family has been involved in the shipping business since the early 19th century. Its founder, Darabshaw B. Dubash, established DBC and Sons (Gujarat) Private Limited in 1929 for operations as stevedores, ship agents, ship chandlers, and landing and shipping contractors. It is now run by the seventh generation of the Dubash family.