HSBC Bank Building – A Colonial-Era Landmark in Parrys Corner, Chennai
Chennai’s Parrys Corner, the bustling commercial hub near George Town, is home to several iconic buildings that narrate the city’s colonial and mercantile past. One such prominent structure is the HSBC Bank building , located at the intersection of China Bazaar Road (NSC Bose Road) and Rajaji Salai. Though it functions today as a modern banking office, the building itself belongs to a bygone era — a reminder of British economic dominance and architectural legacy in Madras. Façade of HSBC Bank at Parrys Corner, a colonial landmark of Chennai’s mercantile past (Pic credit - Shiva Arunachalam) A Legacy of Banking and Empire The HSBC building was originally constructed to house The Mercantile Bank of India , a British-established bank that began operations in the 19th century. Founded in 1853 in Bombay, the bank expanded across Asia, and its Madras branch played a significant role in facilitating trade between South India and British colonies in Southeast Asia and China. In 1959, The Ho...