Panjim’s Nautical Echoes: 7 Stunning Art Deco Buildings You Need to See Before They’re Gone

Panjim, Goa’s riverside capital, harbors a striking Art Deco legacy shaped by maritime history and global influences. The 1930s Praça do Comércio, designed by engineer Luís Bismarck Dias, stands as a masterpiece with Mesopotamian-inspired ziggurat rooflines and nautical motifs like wave patterns and sunburst grills. Nearby, Damodar Niwas (1952) mimics streamlined ship decks, while the derelict Hotel Mandovi boasts curved balconies and murals of Goan life.

These structures, adorned with porthole windows and Plimsoll line-like symbols, reflect Goa’s seafaring past. Yet, threats loom—iconic buildings face demolition for parking lots under “Smart City” projects, overshadowing preservation efforts by advocates like Leaxan Freitas. As Art Deco’s 2025 centenary nears, Panjim’s architectural gems—blending Portuguese, Indian, and maritime identities—urge a reckoning: will modernization erase this heritage, or can these timeless designs anchor Goa’s cultural narrative? The answer hinges on valuing history over concrete. 

Panjim’s Nautical Echoes: 7 Stunning Art Deco Buildings You Need to See Before They’re Gone

As the world prepares to celebrate the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, Panjim (Panaji), Goa’s sun-kissed capital, reveals itself as an unsung treasure trove of this iconic architectural style. Born in 1920s Paris, Art Deco’s geometric boldness and modernist flair found a unique expression in India, blending global trends with local narratives. In Panjim, the style whispers tales of maritime heritage, where buildings mirror ship decks, porthole windows, and Mesopotamian ziggurats—a testament to Goa’s history as a crossroads of trade and culture.  

The Praça do Comércio: A Mesopotamian Marvel by the Mandovi

The crown jewel of Panjim’s Art Deco legacy, the Praça do Comércio, stands as a love letter to both the sea and ancient civilizations. Designed in the 1930s by engineer Luís Bismarck Dias, its stepped “ziggurat” roofline pays homage to Iraq’s ancient Ziggurat of Ur, reflecting early 20th-century fascination with archaeological discoveries. Maritime motifs abound: wave-like zigzag patterns crown the façade, stucco flame torches flank its doors, and sunburst grills adorn its windows.

Once painted in soft pastels to accentuate these details, the building now wears a jarring monochrome—a stark reminder of the fragility of heritage in the face of urban neglect. Tragically, this icon faces demolition threats, ironically to make way for a parking lot in the name of “progress.”

Damodar Niwas: A Ship on MG Road

A short stroll away, Damodar Niwas (1952) embodies the “streamline moderne” substyle, inspired by the sleek curves of ocean liners. Built by Gujarati entrepreneur Damodar Mangalji, its curved balconies mimic ship decks, complete with railings resembling nautical guardrails. The central tower evokes a ship’s observation deck, while elongated windows amplify its verticality. Inside, remnants of Art Deco interiors survive, though the ground-floor shops now house modern businesses. The building’s pièce de résistance? A colossal wooden “picture frame” on its façade, a whimsical nod to Deco’s love for theatricality.

Hotel Mandovi: Goan Life in Relief

Next door, the derelict Hotel Mandovi (1952), designed by Bombay’s Master, Sathe and Bhuta, once hosted visitors to Goa’s Exposition. Its curved balconies and “eyebrow” sunshades echo the era’s aerodynamic obsessions. A striking mural depicts vignettes of Goan life—fishermen, dancers, and farmers—likely crafted by artist Cuncoliencar. Mythological damsels flank its entrance, one cradling a deer (perhaps Shakuntala), while lightning-bolt railings add dynamism. Once a pastel-hued beacon, its decay mirrors the city’s ambivalence toward its architectural soul.

Hidden Gems: Nautical Motifs in Plain Sight

Beyond these landmarks, Panjim’s residential lanes harbor subtler Deco delights. A lesser-known building near the Mandovi’s edge features porthole-like windows and a prow-like curved façade, evoking a ship anchored in the city. Another recurring motif—a circle bisected by horizontal lines—sparks debate: Is it a stylized Plimsoll line (marking a ship’s load limit) or a sun emerging from clouds? For historian Mustansir Dalvi, it’s a clever maritime metaphor; for local enthusiast Leaxan Freitas, a symbol of Goa’s tropical skies.

The Fight to Save a Fading Legacy

Freitas, through his Instagram archive Goenchi Deco and heritage walks, champions awareness of these structures. Yet challenges loom. While the 2025 centenary should spotlight preservation, Panjim’s “Smart City” projects prioritize concrete over conservation. The potential razing of Praça do Comércio for parking epitomizes this clash—a “new lamp for old” tragedy echoing Aladdin’s folly.

Conclusion: Anchoring Heritage in Modernity

Panjim’s Art Deco is more than aesthetics; it’s a chronicle of Goa’s layered identity—Portuguese legacy, Indian resilience, and a seafaring spirit. As the centenary approaches, the city stands at a crossroads: Will it safeguard these architectural odes to its maritime past, or let them vanish beneath homogenized modernity? For now, the balconies still curve like ship prows, the sunbursts cast their patterns, and the ziggurat watches over the Mandovi—a silent plea to remember.