Cyrus Poonawalla's Lincoln House: Mumbai's Invaluable Heritage Property

Mumbai, the “City of Dreams”, has long been synonymous with soaring real estate values and the opulent lifestyles of Bollywood stars, industrialists, and business tycoons. Among the city's premium buildings and heritage bungalows, one of the most talked-about and controversial properties is the ultra-luxe Lincoln House.

This sprawling historic mansion in Breach Candy/Bhulabhai Desai Road has seen complex legal battles, making it as much a case study in luxury real estate. Today, the historic home is owned by billionaire industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla. He bought this piece of history from the U.S. Government for about ₹750 crore (around US$113 million). This was one of the most expensive residential property deals in India’s history.

Not many know that Lincoln House was not always called that. The mansion was originally known as Wankaner House, named after its original owner, the Maharaja of Wankaner. Spread across about 50,000 square feet, the lavish mansion was built in 1933 by British architect Claude Batley. In 1957, Amarsinhji Banesinhji leased the property for a nominal amount of 18 lakhs to the U.S. Government, and it became home to the U.S. Consulate General to India.

Things changed in 2015 when Indian billionaire industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla agreed to buy Lincoln House from the U.S. Government for approximately ₹750 crore. This was a milestone moment in Indian real estate. For people like Poonawalla, such estates are not just residences but legacy assets.

Despite the completed deal, almost 10 years later, the transfer of ownership has not been officially completed. The sale is stuck in a complex legal and bureaucratic dispute between the U.S. Government, the Indian Government, and Maharashtra authorities. The dispute is over land rights and defense estate clearance requirements. Such properties, despite private ownership, carry many approval challenges due to government land involvement, heritage classification, and international ownership.

The Poonawalla Mumbai residence boasts Indo-Saracenic design and Art Deco interior elements, reflecting pre-Independence Indian elite architecture. It is also graded as a Grade-III heritage structure and recognized for its cultural value.

Lincoln House showcases a horizontally expansive layout, prioritizing privacy and promoting openness and visual connection with nature and surroundings. Subtle Art Deco detailing is visible in the interiors, reflecting the transitional architectural phase of the 1930s when global design movements began influencing Indian luxury homes.

The house is characterized by tall columns, wide verandas, and symmetrical façades. High ceilings, large halls, and big rooms were designed for ceremonial living. Large verandas and room spacing allow for cross-ventilation and ample daylight, which are prime features of the house.

However, being a protected heritage structure, there are constraints. Before any renovation or upgrade, the owner must follow strict conservation guidelines, which influence both restoration timelines and costs. Certain sections of the house show visible ageing, signs of neglect, limited maintenance, and no restoration over the years. Despite its current condition, the Lincoln House remains a real estate benchmark.