In its heyday, the recently demolished Ashby Hotel in Tiruchi hosted prominent political leaders and film stars
In its heyday, the recently demolished Ashby Hotel in Tiruchi hosted prominent political leaders and film stars
Once a popular meeting place for prominent political figures and film stars, the demolition of the Ashby Hotel has permanently closed the chapter on a heritage property that was believed to be Tiruchi’s first Western-style hotel.
Located near the Tiruchi railway junction on Rockins Road, Ashby Hotel began life as an upmarket department store operated by Spencer’s chain during the British Raj.
The group, owned by British businessman John William Spencer, began retail trading in India from 1863, catering to a Western clientele. Spencer’s Tiruchi branch was inaugurated in 1923, for the benefit of British military officers stationed in the cantonment area.
Among those who remember the posh store was 74-year-old TR.
“I went to visit Spencer as a little girl, because at that time my maternal grandfather’s hotel Ashok Bhavan was being built across the road. My father would inspect the site, and then drive us in the opposite direction to see all the wonderful things on display in Spencer’s portico,” Ms Shembagavalli, a retired doctor, told Hindu.
The property’s profile changed after becoming the Ashby Hotel, as its distinctive colonial style of architecture with vaulted hallways and extensive woodwork made it a top stop for prominent social figures of the day.
Online sources mention that a portion of the hotel retained original floor tiles from the 1920s, adding to the charm of the heritage interiors.
“The social gatherings of the city will be held in the long main hall. Ashby was [former Chief Minister] MG Ramachandran’s favorite hotel whenever he was in town, and room number 5 was always reserved for him. I remember seeing Ms. Jayalalithaa at a party organized to celebrate 100 days of her debut film Vennira Aadai (1965), looking beautiful and stylish,” said Ms Shembagavalli.
The hotel underwent several renovations, and over the years amenities such as a bar, additional rooms, and a shopping arcade were added. Ashby’s Bar attracted patrons in and around Tiruchi for several decades, enticing them with its discreet atmosphere despite being bang in the center of an increasingly crowded commercial area.
In later years, with declining maintenance standards, the Ashby became more known as a budget hotel.
Ms Shembagavalli said her father had been actively involved in the hotel’s management since the 1970s, with her brother slowly moving in as his health declined. Sri Ramaswamy passed away on 19 October 2014.
Leaving Ashby was an emotionally charged decision for the family, said Ms Shembagavalli, who moved back to India permanently after practicing as a doctor in the US to take care of her ailing parents. “Demolition was the only option as renovation was not possible. It was sad, but the family was the only way forward,” she said.