Blue heritage plaque for hotel with a room for the Kapoors
Times of India | 23 November 2025
Kolkata: The Elgin Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder Street has received the blue heritage plaque from the Kolkata chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) as part of World Heritage Week 2025.
The hotel was once a hub for backpackers and western tourists. It holds a special place in history for room number 17, which preserves the memory of the late actor Shashi Kapoor, who was a regular guest and spent his 1958 honeymoon with Jennifer Kendal there. He always stayed in Room 17, which has been named in his honour.
The recognition, which was announced on Saturday evening, highlights the hotel's long-standing historical and architectural significance. "INTACH, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, as part of the World Heritage Week 2025 celebration and its efforts to highlight the culinary and hospitality heritage of Kolkata, is felicitating The Elgin Fairlawn Hotel housed in a colonial heritage building constructed in 1783 with its iconic blue plaque," said GM Kapur, convener of INTACH's Kolkata chapter.
INTACH's blue plaque programme identifies and marks Kolkata's tangible and intangible heritage. In the past, several landmarks in Kolkata received the heritage honour. The plaques also serve as markers for visitors and residents who want to know the historical layers of various neighbourhoods.
The Elgin Fairlawn Hotel stands on the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder Street in a building constructed in 1783. According torecords available with the hotel authorities, the land was purchased on May 27, 1781, by a European, William Ford, from Sheikh Ramjan and Bhonay. The street was originally named after Ford. Over the years, the property passed through different families, whose contributions shaped the hotel's present appearance and character. The hotel is known for its colonial-era architecture and interiors filled with memorabilia. Its mix of heritage décor and modern facilities made it a familiar landmark in the area. The garden and terraces are among its distinctive features and continue to attract guests looking for a stay that reflects the city's past.
"Beyond Kapoor, the hotel has played host to a diverse array of celebrated guests," said Nimmi Oberoi, director of Elgin Fairlawn. The list of guests includes writers such as Günter Grass, Dominique Lapierre, and Tom Stoppard; actors like Julie Christie and Patrick Swayze; the filmmaking duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory.