Relive the atmosphere that characterized old Karachi by heading to The Dawood Foundation (TDF) Ghar on M. A. Jinnah Road. Built in 1930, the house was originally owned by a Hindu lady, Haribai Motiram, who sold it to Hanifabai Haji Gani (a founder of TDF) In 1948. The house was left uninhabited for many years until it was recently restored and turned into a public space by TDF. It opened to the public on August 22, 2017.
Old is gold… Your first glance of the house, built on 709 square yards in the British colonial style will be the ochre façade. The house has six rooms and a spacious rooftop. The piece de resistance is the living room, which now serves as a museum. Although you will have to pay Rs 50 to view it, it is well worth it for you will find a treasure trove of antique collectibles, including a Remington typewriter, a rotary dial telephone, an Anglo-indian vanity table, chandeliers and chessboard sets, evoking a lifestyle gone by .
Chai, exhibitions and history… Take the staircase to the first floor and you will find four numaish rooms dedicated to art, workshops and seminars. Displayed on the wall are photographs dating from pre-partition. Climb further and you are on the rooftop. Pause and enjoy the winter air and the scenic view of the Quaid’s Mausoleum. For refreshments, head down to the courtyard which has been converted which has been converted into an open space café (Sehan Café). Pull up an Irani bentwood chair and order a hot cup of chai and light snacks. If you are there over the weekend, you can also enjoy a traditional nashta.
Medical supplies and more.. Nearby you will find a cluster of shops that specialize in medical supplies (such as patient beds, wheelchairs and walking aids) at reasonable rates, as well as a few jewellery fabric and homeware stores.
The real estate take… Commercial property options primarily include office space. Several houses have been repurposed for commercial enterprises such as hospitals and schools. The area is completely built-up; price increase by 15 to 20% every year and rentals by four to six percent.
In a nutshell… TDF Ghar is what makes this part of M. A. Jinnah Road well worth a visit.
By Madiha Akhtar
M.A. JINNAH ROAD, KARACHI | 2017 Prices
SALE | RENTALS | |
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY | ||
800 sq ft | 20-32 million | 180,000-200,000 |
900 sq ft | 50-60 million | 250,000-350,000 |
1,000 sq yds | 120-140 million | N/A |
2,000 sq yds | 150-180 million | N/A |