The team took up the project of restoration of the interiors and exteriors of this structure as a challenge. Extensive research on heritage architecture made up for experience in the field. The project, which started as a CSR activity, became one of our most prestigious and memorable projects and eventually won us the Urban Heritage Award in 2003 by the Indian Heritage Society. The restoration of Rustom Faramna Agiary helped in creating greater public and institutional awareness for the need to preserve and protect public and private buildings, open spaces and gardens in the metropolis as a proud expression if the city’s unique heritage. This led to the realization that the problems of the Zoroastrian community are rooted deeply. The architects felt an intense need to Identify areas that needed immediate attention and appreciation and decided tofill in the loop holes from the past. They also felt the need to dicate the same into the visual environment and to create, replicate and incorporate the Persian culture into the day-to-day life of the Parsi community living in the vicinity. The same could be achieved by creating a present day landmark for the community as a whole.

With the community getting smaller, there was an urgent need for both the local resident as well as youngster to be acquainted with their history. The initiative t chart a bright future for the community and with in-depth research the architects zeroed in on a positive, result-oriented mission plan and decided to provide active service to the community by aiming towards building a structure that focuses on the past, unlike any other residential tower in the city. This finally cumulated to the designing formation and development of ”Della Tower”

Fact File :
Project name: Della Tower – Residential building – Basement +Ground _ 3 Levels of Parking + 15 Floors
Client: Della Tecnica Pvt. Ltd
Arhictects : Jimmy Rusi Mistry (Della Architects Pvt. Ltd)
Interior designer : Jimmy Mistry
Other consultants : Della Construction Pvt. Ltd

Dt. Of commencement: January 2008
Expected dt of completion : November 2009
Area : Approx. 70,000-sq ft.

The Della Tower imparts some of the ancient Zoroastrian Imperial reflecting the beauty and culture of ancient Iran into a residential tower, recreated amidst hustle and the bustle of Mumbai city. The architect wanted to create an iconic building for the past community showcasing Persian Architecture from Iran in pristine glory and not in ruins as seen worldwide. This residential tower provides its tenants with a feeling of togetherness along with the security and comfort required in amidst the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city. It also paves the way for tenants to witness history and culture in its most dramatic form, thus strengthening the very foundations of the Parsi community.

Della Tower, a luxurious tower is a modern architectural marvel inspired by ancient Achaemenian design and style. It is a living exhibition od Persian architecture and the ancient Zoroastrian faith. The tower, which is built as per international standards, offer spacious flats and modern amenities, which include a large swimming pool, health spa, club house, gymnasium, paly area, piped gas, high-end electronic security, elevators, spacious car elevators and ample parking space. The lower section of the tower displays historic panels which are interactive, user friendly and can be accessed every evening by the public with guides and ushers dressed in Achaemenian costumes. The Fire Temple is based at the rear section of the Ground Floor. The décor for the same is finished in teak tiles, polished wood benches and the Persain motifs resembles and follows the design principles of agiary all across the city.

For the first time, Persian Architectural elements have been used to showcase the rich Petsian Art and Architecture through various dynastic rules. Iraian marble, glazed mosaic, colours depiciting Persian architecture, mosaic, colours depiciting Persian architecture motifs and panels is used in the construction of this Ground + Exhibition + Hall + the nineteen floor residential tower . The awe-inspiring architectural structures at Persepolis and Pasargade are the inspiration for this grand, very modern and luxurious residential tower.

This building which is situated diagonally across Muncherji Edulji Joshi’s statu at Dadar Parsi Colony is “aimed at becoming a Zoroastrain landmark of Mumbai” styled in Iranain architecture, which Parsis from all over India and abroad will make it a point to visit. It will be a visual delight and an intellectual feast, which is historically empowering. The idea behind constructing this tower is to display great variety, both structural and aesthetical, each developing gradually and coherently out of prior traditions and experience of ancient Iran and portraying the past glory through non-judgmental and creative vision. All required permissions and approvals, both from the buildings regulatory committee and the high authority of the community was needed to be taken before commencement of work and design on site.

Today, more than two-an-a-half millennium later, residents of the landmark Dadar Parsi Colony, comprised to be the largest Zoroastrain enclave in the world with only members of the community to living in the “reserved area”. The colony is home to an estimated 15,000 or more Parsis, which is by far the largest concentration of Parsi in Mumbai, and possibly the World. Given the dilapidating state of Parsi temples (agiary) in the city and the passion to contribute toh the community led Della Tecnica to ’adopt, conserve and restore’ the ‘Rustom Faramna Agiary in Dadar, built in 1928 A.D’

Some of the Persian Architectural design elements are used to aesthetically enhance and visually portray the Iranian culture are as under



Apandana Palace Fluted Columns with twin bulls head

The lion devouring the bull signifying seasonal change – Navroze

Beautiful Column with spectacular capitals, in the form of composite human head on an animal body

Mythological creature – Human headed winged bulls at the entrances to Cyrus’s Palace

The lion capitals in the form of magnificent double lions protomes

Traditional pillar made of stone or plastered mud-brick. The pillar has a round hollow to contain the burning embers and the sacred ash

Audience hall relief- Pair of Incense burners

Wine Goblet – Found from Susa, currently in the Museum

Eastern Staircase – Armenian and Babylonain delegations – Apadana

Guardian sphinxes and Eastern stairway tribute bearers – Apadana

Architectural element of Pasargade and Persepolis etc. to be incorporated in design of the tower

Traditional Persian ceramic borders from Persepolis and Susa are used on the fascia of the building

The Gate of all Nations from Persepolis has been replicated on the central façade of the building

Soffits of the terraces are embellished with replicas of traditional Persian medallions and motifs of that period

The entrance stairs of the building replicates the eastern stairs of the Apadana at Persepolis showing procession of people bringing tribute to the Achemenid king, Darius the Great Building fascia also dictates people walking; people with horse are next; at the end we see two chariots which interprets a procession of dignitaries towards the king as in Persepolis.

At the building entrance, we can see the struggle between a bull and a lion and symbolizing eternity.