BRODIE CASTLE

NAME:BRODIE CASTLE

LOCATION:

GREENWAYS ROAD CHENNAI-600028
TAMILNADU

APPROACH: GREENWAYS ROAD

OWNERSHIP: GOVT OF TAMILNADU
USAGE
PAST: RESIDENCE OF JAMES BRODIE
PRESENT: GOVT COLLEGE OF MUSIC PREMISIS

SIGNIFICANCE:
THE HOUSE WAS BUILT ON A GRANT OF 11 ACRES OF LAND MADE TO JAMES BRODIE IN 1796. BRODIE WAS BOTH A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE BUSINESS MAN. THIS WAS ALLOWED TILL THE 18th CENTURYM,WHEN PRIVATE TRADE BY OFFICIALS WAS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.BRODIE WAS PRONNED IN THE ADJOINING ADYAR RIVER IN 1801. THE ROAD LEADING NORTH OF THE HOUSE TO LUZ IN MYLAPORE WAS CALLED BRODIE ROAD.

AN IMPRESSIVE, LONG RECTANGULAR BUILIDING WITH A LARGE PILLARED PORTICO AT THE ENTRANCE LEADING TO A VESTIBULE ON THE FIRST FLOOR WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO THE MAIN HALL,WHICH IS FLANKED BY 2 STOREYED ASPIRAL HALLS WITH TOWERS AND AN EXTENDED SERIES OF ROOMS ON EITHER SIDE. THE GROUND FLOOR ROOMS OUT ON THE BACK MUST HAVE BEEN USED FOR SERVANTS,STORAGE,ETC...,. THE BUILDING IS FLAT ROOFED.

MATERIALS

FOUNDATION: BRICK FOOTING
WALLS: BRICK,PLASTER
FLOORS: STONE & CEMENT
ROOF: MADRAS TERRACE
OPENINGS:ARCHED

DECORATIVE FEATURES: THE LARGE PILLARED PORTICO WITH THE PEDIMENT IS IMPRESSIVE. ROMAN CIRCULAR ARCHED OPENINGS ACCENTUATED BY WALLS FLUTINGS. SEMI CIRCULAR STAIR ROOM

STATE OF PRESERVATION: WELL MAINTAINED

DATE:1796