Kolkata’s historic homes find new life as creative hubs, boutiques and gathering spaces
A city steeped in centuries of history and cultural legacy, the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal is seeing a new wave of creativity. Young residents are finding fresh ways to reimagine identity, restoring age-old Bengali homes into vibrant third spaces and luxury boutiques that bring community and commerce together.
Crafts and cuisine: Sienna
Almost everyone who visits Kolkata makes their way to Sienna (49/1 Hindustan Park; siennastore.com). The brand began as a pottery label, named after the red soil of Santiniketan – the neighbourhood 166km northwest of the city where its ceramic workshop is based. Today, it has evolved into a multi-layered institution: a crafts boutique offering brass jewellery, fabric neckpieces and handlooms, alongside a café, a Bengal-forward dining room and an intimate eight-seater chef’s table, all within a restored century-old home.
Inside, the building retains its ornate iron staircase railings, with arches added to create an illusion of openness. For founder and creative director Shuli Ghosh, spaces like these are vital. “Young Kolkatans want to belong to places that tell stories,” she says. “Hybrid spaces like Sienna will define how the next generation engages with the city.”
Heritage meets community: The Red Bari
With its striking red façade offset by green teakwood khorkhori (louvred windows), The Red Bari (18 Sadananda Rd; @theredbarikolkata) reflects the city’s eclectic blend of old and new. Founder and director Avantika Jalan transformed the 90-year-old home of barrister Pareshnath Banerjee into a coffee shop, bed and breakfast, and a multilevel co-working and events venue.
Her vision was to create a collaborative hub – “a cultural space where architecture, food, design and conversation intersect in a way that feels natural and lived-in,” says Avantika. The Red Bari’s calendar includes pottery workshops, a book launch with Ukrainian poet Iryna Vikyrchak and a sitar session for children. Guests can stay in one of its two bedrooms, complete with mosaic tiles, antique furnishings and a terrace overlooking the city.
