J. N. Petit Library , Mumbai

The handsome building of the J.N. Petit Institute occupies a vantage position at the corner plot of the junction of D.N. Road, P.M. Road and Napier Road, Mumbai.

Under skillful guidance and careful management, the Institute has steadily grown in strength and prestige until today. It is amongst the acclaimed libraries in India.

With the use of marvelous stained glass, painted arches, and original aisle roof , it is a neo-gothic sculpture of "The Raj".  It is an integral part of the colonial streetscape of Hornby road. It is built with Malad stone and Limestone and it displays all gothic features.

spetitm.jpg (6235 bytes)
A proposal to carry out urgent repairs and restore the building was prepared by our team.   Repairs like waterproofing of roof, plumbing, and sanitary, electrical, structural and architectural restoration works will be undertaken.
Originally started as Fort improvement Library by Parsi students in 1856 , it was shifted to the present building in 1898 and was christened " The Jamshetjee Nesserwanjee Petit Institute " after its donor J. N. Petit. According to Mr Savio Lobo, architect and research person, the building was designed by architect Merwanjee Bana.

The structure was constructed in yellow Malad stone relieved by bands of finely carved Limestone at regular intervals, to which was added a floor in 1938 with an RCC flat slab roof.

Being a charitable institution , age and lack of adequate maintenance have begun to show their dominance on the otherwise sturdy structure. Its restoration was taken up by our team after the benevolent donation by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust to the library.

Major restoration works are :

  • Roof repairs including rainwater drainage maangement
  • RCC repairs to slabs and columns
  • Spot repairs to walls including crack stitching, stone cleaning, repointing, replastering, lime washing etc.
  • Spot repairs to stained glass and iron grilles
  • Spot repairs to the Minton tile flooring