The iconic Sea Rock Hotel in Bandra will soon undergo a major transformation as it reopens under the new name Taj Bandstand. The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) has announced plans to begin construction on the sea-facing site in the second half of 2025, following the receipt of necessary approvals. “We are awaiting the commencement certificate from the BMC and approval from the Airport Authority of India. Once these are secured, construction will begin, and we expect to start in the second half of 2025,” said Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL. Taj Bandstand will mark IHCL’s fifth luxury property in Mumbai, joining its renowned portfolio of Taj hotels, which includes the Taj Mahal Palace, Taj Lands End (located opposite Sea Rock), Taj Santacruz, and Taj The Trees. Together, these four existing Taj hotels boast a total of 1,550 rooms, contributing to IHCL’s network of 12 operating hotels across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which also includes brands like Ginger, SeleQtions, and Vivanta. Mumbai currently has 75 branded hotels with a total of 15,524 rooms, with upscale and luxury hotels accounting for nearly 71% of the room inventory. Sea Rock Hotel, originally opened in 1978 by the Luthria family, was a popular destination, particularly for celebrities. In 1986, ITC took over its operations under a license agreement. The hotel was severely damaged during the 1993 terrorist attacks, after which it closed due to a dispute between the owners and ITC. In 2005, Suresh Nanda of the Claridges Hotel acquired the property for Rs 3 billion. IHCL later purchased an 85% stake from the Nanda family in 2009, with plans to rebuild the hotel, add a convention centre, and create a commercial complex. However, the project faced delays due to legal disputes and environmental clearance issues. IHCL gained full ownership of the Sea Rock site in 2020, when it acquired the remaining stake. The redevelopment of this iconic property is now set to begin as Taj Bandstand, adding another prestigious address to Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape. (BusinessLine)