Mumbai’s 140-year-old Mahalaxmi Racecourse is set for a futuristic makeover, without losing its historic charm. The BMC plans a two-level underground complex beneath the greens, featuring an Olympic-grade sports facility including a 400m track, swimming pool, tennis/squash courts, and more. Designed by Hafeez Contractor, the project ensures natural light and ventilation via skylights and open moats.
A legacy project with sports, greenery & innovation
While the historic racecourse continues under RWITC’s management, the surrounding 120 acres will transform into a vibrant public space. The surface-level redesign features:
-
A sprawling 63-acre topiary garden with educational herb zones
-
13.6 acres for open-air concerts and events
-
11.6 acres preserved as urban forest (protecting existing trees)
-
Potential indoor arena for monsoon-proof programming
Below ground, an innovative two-tier complex will house:
-
Olympic-standard sports facilities (swimming pool, 400m track, multiple courts)
-
Massive 5,000-car parking with direct freeway access
-
Intelligent design featuring skylights and moats for natural light/airflow
Hafeez Contractor highlights that the project goes beyond mere infrastructure, calling it a legacy initiative. He points out Mumbai’s long-standing lack of quality training facilities, and explains that the design preserves the racecourse’s heritage while introducing modern amenities to foster future champions.
