Demolition notice served to Four Seasons, Mumbai

Notice alleges hotel constructed an office in the basement of the 33-storey building which is otherwise reserved for vehicle parking

A demolition notice over unlawful changes made to reserved areas of the Four Seasons hotel in the city has been given by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to the property's management.

Sources say that the notice alleges that the hotel constructed an office in the basement of the 33 storey building which is otherwise reserved for vehicle parking.

Similarly, another office is built in a 'refuge area' on one of the upper floors of the luxurious property which houses 198 guest rooms, 4 suites and 202 serviced apartments.

Magus Estates, a subsidiary of Asian Hotels (North), which owns Hyatt Regency Delhi, also owns the Four Seasons, Mumbai. Sources say that the hotel had received the demolition notice from the BMC for the illegal construction over certain parts of the property.

Despite repeated attempts to seek comments from the management of Four Seasons there was no feedback for the story.

Earlier the corporation had issued a show cause notice to the management of the property against such changes after receiving complaints. However it is alleged that due to lack of any response from the management, the BMC was forced to issue a demolition order.

Opened in mid-2008 the 202 room, with an additional 202 residential units, Four Seasons is located in the Worli area of Mumbai. It has a total area of more than 187,300 sqft. Located away from the airport or any major commercial establishment Four Seasons has received a lukewarm response from the market with occupancy dipping below 50 per cent on several ocassions