(Vertical) Transportation to the Past

Originally built in 1921 by the Maharaja of Mysore, India, to host his most important guests, the Lalitha Mahal is now one of the country’s most luxurious and historic hotels. Inaugurated in 1974, The Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel has retained much of its original splendor, charming visitors with Venetian marble floors, ornate rosewood furniture and a stately staircase. Additionally, guests are transported to the past with the help of two heritage lifts. A plaque on the pictured unit reads that it was imported from Waygood-Otis of England by His Royal Highness Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. That lift was modernized by the hotel in 1995, but no changes were made to the equipment’s architectural features. Another sign posted by management asks that the 102-year-old lift, which has a 2000-lb capacity, only be used in case of emergency. The second heritage lift is mechanical and accessible to guests from the foyer area. The insignia of the Mysore royals can be found on its channel gate — one of many reminders of the palatial hotel’s history. 

References

[1] indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/mysurus-iconic-lalitha-mahal-palace-turns-100

[2] lalithamahalpalace.co.in