25 places we love: Hindustan Park is the OG para that’s on every hotlist
Times of India | 1 March 2026
Few neighbourhoods reflect Kolkata’s changing urban story as vividly as Hindustan Park. Once defined by shaded lanes and closely knit residential life, the area has gradually evolved into a lively cultural pocket – where cafés spill onto pavements, restored homes house creative businesses, and conversations stretch long past coffee hours. Actor Anusha Viswanathan and director Mainak Bhaumik took CT on a stroll through the neighbourhood to give us a peek into the two things that make the space remarkable – reinvention and expansion. The area didn’t abandon its identity; it opened its doors wider, growing alongside a city eager for shared spaces, local experiences and a strong community-driven urban life.
The shift: Homes open to the city
By the mid-2010s, Hindustan Park reached a turning point. Residential ground floors began transforming into cafés, studios and boutiques – a change that reshaped both streetscape and economy. After strong demand from South Kolkata customers, Grant Walsh, owner of 8th Day Café & Bakery opened his Jatin Bagchi Road outlet in 2018, making the potential clear. Tree-lined streets, walkable lanes and community energy made the neighbourhood ideal for small-format businesses. “Most spaces are intimate,” he says, “and that keeps the character intact while allowing businesses to thrive.” Co-founder of Sienna Calcutta, Shuli Ghosh says the transformation was also cultural, and that when they opened in 2015, Byloom was the only store and cafe in the area. Over time, cafés, design studios and retail spaces emerged, creating a self-sustaining neighbourhood ecosystem. “Adaptive reuse became key – preserving verandahs, wooden beams and façades while giving old homes a new purpose and generating employment locally,” she explained. Architect Anjan Ukil traces the shift even earlier – late 1990s & early 2000s – when homes began opening visually and functionally to the street. Glass storefronts replaced boundary walls, encouraging interaction and turning private residences into public-facing spaces without overwhelming the locality’s scale.
Then: The residential rhythm
For longtime residents, Hindustan Park was always about familiarity — quiet walks, neighbourhood parks and a strong sense of belonging. Anusha, who grew up in the neighbourhood, remembers winding lanes and evening strolls under tree cover. “Over time the area began glowing differently with cafés and boutiques slowly lighting up the neighbourhood drawing more people while retaining its lived-in charm,” she said. On the other hand, Mainak recalls South Kolkata in the early 2000s as largely residential but well connected. The change, he says, began subtly when independent cafés and boutiques appeared, offering residents a local alternative to established city hubs: “It became more personal with spaces crafted with individuality rather than uniform branding.”
Why everyone loves the neighbourhood
For residents like Anusha, the spirit of South Kolkata lies in participation from all the people who live, visit and pass through the locality. Parks, cafés and shared public spaces continue to anchor everyday life, ensuring the neighbourhood remains youthful and welcoming. Anjan, who is also a resident of the area, says he’s seen this evolution firsthand. “South Kolkata is no longer just a residential area; it is a dynamic civic and cultural zone that has evolved while retaining its roots. Through my professional work as an architect, I see the neighborhood as a living gallery where tradition and modern urban life are seamlessly integrated,” he shared.
Now: A neighbourhood for everyone
Today, Hindustan Park attracts a diverse mix of families, students, entrepreneurs, artists and visitors discovering the city through its smaller streets. Grant describes the café community as a meeting ground where friendships form and generations mingle within walking distance. “Increased collaborations, pop-ups and cultural exchanges turn the area into a participatory urban space,” explains Shuli. For Mainak, the neighbourhood’s appeal lies in its distinct social code: less nightlife spectacle, more unpretentious adda. From an architectural lens, Anjan describes the present identity of the neighbourhood as a blend of retrofitted heritage and a contemporary evolution of its art deco roots. “Now, old balconies coexist with open retail fronts, creating streets that engage with the city rather than retreat from it. New projects often use local materials like terracotta or exposed brick to respect the past while adding modern glass and steel. This balance creates an inclusive identity,” he explained.