First Housing/Apartment of Madras

Recently, TNUHDB notified the Tamil Nadu Apartment Ownership Act Rules 2024, which lays down the guidelines for redeveloping old or at-risk apartment complexes. The move has spurred many residential associations to plan the redevelopment of their properties.

Among those looking at a new lease of life is Ayodhya Flats on South Canal Bank Road, which Baskar Seshadri says is Madras’ first apartment complex constructed by RAMS builders.

– Associate Editor

It was 1967, and K.V. Ram – a lawyer-turned-property developer by profession – found himself greatly inspired by the high-rise multi-storey buildings piercing the skies of Bombay. Determined to bring high-rises to Madras, he lost no time in designing the first project of its kind on South Canal Bank Road in Mandaveli.

In those days, South Canal Bank road was wide, and Ram was able to acquire a large parcel of land amounting to fourteen grounds where he envisioned constructing a cluster of two-storey flats. It was a pioneering move, for this was the city’s first apartment project. The flats were 58 in total and comprised 1 and 2 BHK homes – the concept of 3 BHKs did not exist at the time. The complex was bestowed the name Ayodhya Flats. Fifty-five years on, the building still stands tall and strong.

The owners are now considering redeveloping the property. The plan appears inevitable; the drainage and sewage systems need rework if the residents are to prevent flooding. The talks have just begun, and perhaps a year or so later we may see a new housing complex in place of Ayodhya Flats. But history shall remember its unique journey.

As for Ram, he later went on to establish RAMS Real Estates, which continues to thrive.