Wadias-Surat's benevolent architects.

Essar Steel’s Masterstrokes, an exhibition of models of the iconic works of Richard Meier was held at the Sir J J College of Architecture.

The college is a fine example of Parsi philanthropy by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhai whose generosity extended to Gujarat as well.

In Surat, the Sir J J School is one of them, built by Framroze Pestonji Wadia and Hoshang Wadia of Surat’s P. B.Wadia Sons, who have given our city many of its most well known structures.

Framroze and sons Hoshang and Zal Wadia built many buildings most on a non profit basis.
Science and MTB Arts College,Vanita Vishram,Bhatt hospital,Surat People’s Bank –Parsi sheri,Uttaran Power House,Parsi General Hospital,Chola Hospital in Ahmedabad,Msc.University Baroda’s Kala Bhavan,Polo club are some.


Architect Louis Khan once said, “Even a brick wants to be something.” Pestonji Wadia believed even a ship’s beam wants to be a beam of the building; his skills put good quality teak and mahogany from wrecked ships to good use in the construction of buildings.

The Wadias stayed at Dr.Behramji ni wadi,” Located by the riverside at the Variyavi bazaar near Mugal Sarai, its garden had the many exotic seedless fruits like bors and lemons also, bougainvilleas that flowered in four colours from a single plant.” reminisces Zawareh Wadia, Pestonji’s great grandson.

Mugal Sarai was originally, just a single floor with its present frontage; the entire supporting catacomb of modern structure behind it was built by the Wadias.

In 1935, Pestonji had built India’s first cement concrete road, beyond Hope Pul, through a depression in the Tapi River, to join Surat to Rander, forming a causeway. His brother Dhanjishaw simultaneously built one in Pune

Pestonji also developed Athwagate, Policelines and built Dumas Palace for Nawab of Sachin .The British bestowed him with the title of ‘Khan Bahadur ‘.

Pestonji bought the river facing French gardens from the French, it is the by lane that goes towards the Tapi between the Athwa petrol pump and Mysore Café at Chowpatty. The meeting of the Indian National Congress took place here, when Aurobindo Ghosh and Subhash Chandra Bose visited Surat.

Part of it was donated to Lashkari ladies club and also to the Parsi Gymkhana. Three villas were also rented out to the Surat Electricity Company, (then Killick Nixon) for a mere Rs.1.25.In 1920; they were sold to the same.

A Wadia mansion donated for women’s education to Vidya Mandir trust, in the name of Zal .F.Wadia.A national body building champion, Zal accidentally died young at 27 while cleaning a gun he owned.