Mornings in Mylapore begin the same way they have for generations — with the chime of temple bells, kolams drawn on damp roads, and the first tumbler of filter coffee. By noon, the Mada Streets come alive with flower sellers, brassware shops, and friendly banter. As the day slows, the temple tank catches the evening light, a veena phrase floats out of a nearby sabha, and the sea breeze arrives right on time.
Walk a little, and the neighbourhood unfolds like a living history. The gopuram of Kapaleeshwarar catches the sun while the spire of Santhome points to the sky. Between them lie lanes that have kept their rhythm for centuries — lined with pillars and porticos, courtyards scented with jasmine, and voices that carry warmth even in argument. Mylapore wears its memory lightly, never nostalgic but always rooted.
Here, festivals are the heartbeat of the calendar — from the grand Ther and Arubath Moovar to the vibrant Margazhi season. The temple steps turn into viewing galleries, and café tables become debate clubs. Around every corner, life stages a scene: a priest tying a sacred thread, a singer warming up, a grandmother bargaining for mallipoo. Heritage isn’t preserved behind gates here — it’s lived, spoken, and celebrated in the open.
Since 1959, Appaswamy has built across Chennai, learning from each of its neighbourhoods. But Mylapore has been our greatest teacher. It showed us how to balance grace with daily life, how to make a home that belongs to its street and its people. When we build here, we aim to blend in with the city’s grain — not to tower above it.
Today, three Appaswamy addresses — Navasuja, Haridra, and the upcoming Kamadhenu — stand within this map of memory, each shaped by the spirit of Mylapore.
Navasuja, meaning “new sunrise,” sits within R. A. Puram — close to sabhas, reputed schools, and quiet streets for evening walks, with the beach just a short drive away. Its architecture is refined yet grounded: clean lines, generous light, and practical spaces. It’s designed for families who want the conveniences of the city without losing the neighbourhood warmth. Step out, and your grocer greets you by name; step back in, and you return to silence that feels earned.
Named after turmeric — warm, auspicious, and familiar — Haridra embodies everything that word suggests. The building welcomes you with open entrances, airy corridors, and green balconies. Inside, materials are thoughtful and enduring. Outside, everything that matters is within walking distance: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome, Luz, and cafés where conversations stretch into the evening. Life here flows easily — mornings with slokas, evenings with walks, weekends with music.
Rising on the site of the old Kamadhenu Theatre, our upcoming project carries forward a local landmark’s legacy. Many remember queuing here for first-day-first-shows; now, the site begins a new chapter. The residences combine smart planning with contemporary design — modern homes that still sit comfortably within the classic Mylapore frame.
Mylapore’s skyline has always reflected Chennai’s cultural blend — temple geometry beside Indo-Saracenic arches and colonial porticos that still stand tall. Our architecture listens to that language. Proportions stay human, facades remain quiet, and openings bring in light and air. Shared spaces are designed to spark neighbourly conversations, while modern essentials — parking, security, and services — stay unobtrusive, keeping life unhurried and calm.
A day here writes itself. Coffee at dawn, school runs past the tank, work that never feels far, and an unplanned detour to a sabha during the season. Groceries on the walk home, dinner on a banana leaf if guests drop in. Weekends blend church bells with temple music and the evening wind from the sea. Life in Mylapore doesn’t demand your attention — it simply fills the days, gently and gracefully.
We are grateful to build in a place that has already perfected the art of timelessness. Mylapore gives us context, character, and a quiet responsibility. Every brick we lay here must earn its place. Every plan must make daily life simpler. Every balcony must hold a small garden — or a bigger dream.
Because in Mylapore, a home is never just a flat number. It’s the morning light on an old street, the sound of bells over traffic, the wave from a flower seller who knows your schedule better than your calendar.
Here’s to Mylapore — always in season, always at home.
22 Oct 2025
