The proposed expansion of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Lucknow is a thoughtful architectural intervention that extends the legacy of one of the city’s most iconic hospitality landmarks. Located at Vipin Khand, the project adds 96 luxury keys within a built-up area of approximately 100,000 sq ft, designed as a seamless continuation of the existing five-star hotel.
Set within a prominent urban precinct overlooking the Ambedkar Memorial Park and the Gomti Nagar Riverfront, the extension draws from the established architectural grammar of the existing hotel- classical in proportion, restrained in ornamentation, and deeply contextual. The design and development have been conceived in harmony and sync with the existing built form, ensuring a cohesive architectural dialogue between past and present. The expansion project is ongoing & it is being undertaken by architecture firm CP Kukreja Architects.
Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj Group of Hotels), says, “At Taj, every new chapter is about deepening our legacy while responding to the evolving aspirations of our guests. The expansion of Taj Mahal Lucknow is a testament to that philosophy – an architectural dialogue between past and present, rooted in the city’s heritage yet designed for tomorrow. With 96 new luxury keys overlooking the Ambedkar Memorial Park and the Gomti Nagar Riverfront, the project strengthens our presence in one of India’s most vibrant cultural and business hubs. The design embodies quiet luxury and timeless elegance, creating a seamless continuation of the hotel’s iconic identity while offering guests an elevated experience of comfort, sophistication, and connection to the city.”
Ar. Dikshu C. Kukreja, Managing Principal, CP Kukreja Architects, says, “Designing the expansion of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Lucknow has been an inspiring journey – one that demanded sensitivity to the legacy of an existing landmark while envisioning its future relevance. Our approach was to create a dialogue between tradition and modernity, ensuring the new blends seamlessly with the old, yet brings its own identity of quiet luxury and contextual elegance. This project is not just an addition to the skyline; it is a celebration of Lucknow’s rich cultural ethos, while offering guests an experience that is timeless, refined, and deeply connected to the city’s spirit.”
The built form is composed with clear axial logic and symmetry, reinforcing spatial coherence and visual balance across old and new. The façade is articulated through a rhythmic interplay of arched openings, rectilinear windows, and corniced parapets, echoing the timeless elegance of Indo-classical architecture. A double-height arched colonnade at the lobby level establishes a sense of arrival and civic grandeur, while upper floors are scaled to offer privacy, proportion, and elevated views of the city’s green edges.
Internally, the guest room blocks are aligned to maximize orientation towards landscaped courtyards and gardens, with circulation corridors kept intentionally simple to reinforce clarity of movement and spatial hierarchy. The architectural language is one of quiet luxury- celebrating material tactility, natural light, and scale modulation, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and dignified. Rooted in the city’s heritage yet responsive to contemporary needs, the Taj Mahal Lucknow expansion aspires to be more than just an addition; it is envisioned as a civic and architectural landmark, embodying the values of timeless design, hospitality, and contextual integrity.
