The building which housed the Zara showroom. In the right of the frame is the poisoned tree.
By Vidyadhar Date*
Mumbai: The recent shutdown of the trendy Zara store located in the elegantly restored heritage building at Hutatma Chowk could be viewed as a reflection of the challenges facing the retail industry in India.
This high-end luxury brand is under the ownership of one of the wealthiest individuals globally, Amancio Ortega from Spain, and it operates in partnership with the Tatas. As you stroll from the Flora Fountain to the Asiatic Library, this store is hard to overlook. However, it’s rare to spot any shoppers inside; instead, the eye is drawn to the dazzling luxury items illuminated by bright lights. A tree near the store was deliberately poisoned and allowed to wither away to enhance the view of the building, while street vendors were driven away from the area.
In Mumbai, the abundance of luxury retail stores is striking, yet it raises concerns about customer demand. These shops take up vast amounts of valuable urban space, which could be better utilized. Meanwhile, there is a noticeable lack of space for essential goods that the community truly requires.
Street vendors, who occupy minimal space, are theoretically safeguarded by government policies designed to protect them. However, in reality, they frequently face harsh evictions. A particularly alarming incident occurred just before International Women’s Day last week, when a group of impoverished women selling vegetables in Parel, who posed no threat to anyone, were forcibly removed by a bulldozer that destroyed their goods.
In response to this troubling event, several women’s organizations have united and are planning to meet with the police commissioner to address the issue.
The now-shuttered Zara outlet, spanning an impressive 51,300 square feet, marked one of the brand’s most ambitious ventures in India. Opened in 2017, it was situated in the historic Ismail Building at Flora Fountain, a remarkable example of Edwardian Neo-Classical architecture that has graced the area for 119 years. While no official reason has been given for its closure, industry experts suggest that the steep operational costs, particularly the substantial monthly rent of Rs 3 crore, played a significant role in this decision, as reported.
Despite leasing the entire ground and five-story structure, Zara only utilized three of those floors for retail purposes, leaving the rest vacant. “Before Zara’s arrival, we undertook a complete restoration of the building,” remarked owner Arif Fazlani. This restoration was spearheaded by Mumbai architects Kirtida Unwalla and Mona Sanghvi, who carefully maintained the building’s original green basalt and limestone columns, ornate facades, and cast-iron balcony grilles, all while integrating modern retail elements seamlessly.
An excessive amount of surplus capital is flooding into Mumbai solely for investment purposes, drastically altering the essence of various neighborhoods, particularly in prime locations. Turner Road in Bandra, once primarily a residential zone, has transformed into a garish imitation of Zaveri Bazaar, lined with jewelry stores that detract from the area’s appeal. Unlike Zaveri Bazaar, which retains a sense of historical charm, this new development feels out of place and uninviting.
*Senior journalist
