Mumbai : Tucked away in Worli, Kathiwada City House has long been one of Mumbai’s most discreet cultural sanctuaries – a 1940s Art Deco bungalow where heritage, art and ideas quietly converge. Envisioned and stewarded by Digvijay Singh Kathiwada, the House now enters a new chapter this January, opening its doors as a cultural landmark while preserving the soul of the Kathiwada legacy.

We begin with the reopening of the Bistro, Circle Sixty-Nine, Long appreciated by those familiar with it, the bistro becomes the point of entry into the House’s wider cultural world. The F&B at Kathiwada City House is curated in collaboration with Aditi Dugar of Bar Paradox Mumbai and Masque Restaurant, Circle Sixty Nine treats food as a central narrative rather than a supporting act. Known for shaping some of Mumbai’s most respected dining destinations, Dugar brings the same clarity and discipline to this space. Here the culinary experience matches the programming every inch of the way.

Guests can expect additions to a menu that regulars already enjoy, alongside seasonal offerings and a newly introduced cocktail programme, complemented by the bistro’s existing wine selections. Subtle updates to lighting and ambience enhance the experience, while views opening out to garden terraces offer a rare sense of openness in the city.

Kathiwada City House functions as a layered cultural space where gardens, galleries, and intimate rooms flow naturally into one another. Art, craft, design, literature, food, wellness, coexist here without hierarchy. It is neither a gallery nor a museum and does not follow rigid formats or transactional models. Instead, it allows people to spend time with culture in ways that feel personal and unhurried.

“Kathiwada City House was established as a place of thought and continuity rather than exclusivity,” says Digvijay Singh Kathiwada. “Shaped by the belief that culture, whether expressed through food, art, or design, flourishes when allowed to evolve naturally, opening the House to a wider public is not a departure from its founding principles but a return to them. In the months ahead, the House will continue to evolve through its programming, with new spaces such as a sculpture court, contemporary art room, sports memorabilia room, and collaborative pop-ups, alongside artist group shows, gallery collaborations, culinary residencies, wellness experiences, design showcases, and sport-led cultural events, allowing the House to engage more fully with the cultural life of the city while retaining its sense of restraint and purpose. I’m privileged to have an opportunity for space making in a city like Mumbai where art, culture and culinary can intersect in perfect harmony”

Over the past four years, the House has developed a considered programme of cultural engagement. This has included art exhibitions, screenings, conversations, workshops, and collaborative gatherings. Wellness forms an integral part of the experience, with yoga sessions and sound healing offering moments of pause. Sip-and-paint mornings in the garden, meditation circles, and visioning gatherings invite guests to slow down and reconnect, with experiences designed to feel intimate and meaningful rather than performative.

At the heart of Kathiwada City House is the Central Gallery, a constantly evolving space curated with rotating exhibitions alongside works from the family’s collection. The gallery introduces what may be Mumbai’s first dine-in-museum experience, where carefully considered lighting, sound, and cuisine allow art to remain the focus. The space hosts private seated dinners and cultural gatherings for groups of eight to twenty, encouraging guests to spend time with the art rather than pass through it.

The Sun Room offers a quieter counterpoint, filled with natural light and vintage furniture, inviting guests to sit, read, or pause. The KCH Library, located next to the bistro, continues to host intimate family lunches and private dinners. Two new private dining rooms expand the House’s offering, one seating seven guests comfortably and another located within the Central Gallery, allowing dining to unfold alongside art and design carefully chosen and curated by Sangita Devi Kathiwada.

At its core, Kathiwada City House is shaped by a multi-generational commitment to art and culture. The collection spans antiquarian, modern, and contemporary works, including paintings, miniatures, portraiture, sculpture, ceramics, terracotta, textile art, historic utensils, glassware, woodwork, sports memorabilia, rare musical instruments, and original vinyl records. Culture here is not treated as a static display, but as something lived, layered, and shared.

While Mumbai has many members-only spaces, Kathiwada City House was never meant to be one of them. It positions itself as a shared cultural space where access is shaped by curiosity and participation rather than formality. Existing members continue to engage through a digital platform, while new memberships remain available based on availability and engagement rather than daily use.

Kathiwada City House’s opening reflects a broader shift in how Mumbai engages with culture. It brings together people in moments of quiet and asks that one very important question, in a city like Mumbai shaped by constant movement can we pause and reflect?