Yet another edifice of ‘Old Madras’ checks out

A crucial piece of ‘Old Madras’, this building was earlier the popular D’Angelis Hotel, which was the first in its time to introduce a slew of tech innovations. 

In 1906, Corsican confectioner Giacomo D’Angelis set up Hotel D’Angelis on the stretch of Mount Road, near Blacker’s Road, occupying a central position in the European Quarter, located favourably near the Government House and the Madras Club. 

Historian R Venkatesh said that the hotel was the first to introduce modern innovations in erstwhile Madras. “It was one of the poshest hotels in the city. Visitors were transferred to the upper floors by an electric lift. Each room had a ‘bath’ and toilet room, with an unlimited supply of hot water, for the first time in Madras and ceiling fans. The hotel served English, French and Italian cuisine,” he said, adding, D’Angelis also ran a popular hotel called Sylk in Ooty. “Before setting up the hotel, D’Angelis worked as a baker and confectioner, who caught the attention of the Governor’s Palace. He later started catering, before starting the hotel,” added Venkatesh. 

The historian added that the hotel was taken over by the German-origin Bosotto group, and then, changed to the Airlines Hotel. “In the 70s, Bata set up a store in the building, after which it was popularly known as ‘Bata Building’ but the history is largely forgotten. The building is in private hands and is being demolished,” he said, adding, D’Angelis was a ‘mechanical expert’. “Seven years after Wright Brothers invented the airplane, D’Angelis designed and built an airplane here, running trials in Pallavaram and demonstrated to a paid public at Island Ground. This was reported by none other than Subramania Bharati,” pointed out Venkatesh. 

When DT Next contacted 79-year-old Jefferis Evans D’Angelis, the great grandson of Giacomo D’Angelis, currently based out of Chile, he expressed sadness at the demolition of the building. “I am sad about the demolition of the building, which was earlier the Hotel D’Angelis. I think many other old buildings of Chennai are being lost. The history of the city must be respected,” he said, adding that his great grandfather spoke Tamil fluently.