Where the forest paved the way to urban elegance

The name Malabar Hill is thought to have originated from the Keya family who owned a large part of the area. They were traders and merchants from North Malabar (part of today's Kerala). In the early 19th century, sightings of hyenas and jackals were a common occurrence as Malabar Hill was nothing more than a forest until it became a popular and coveted residential neighbourhood.

The shifting of the Governor’s official residence (now called Raj Bhavan) to Malabar Hill in the mid-1880s was the turning point and this decision sparked a transformation in the area. Affluent and influential people flocked to the region, making Malabar Hill the sought-after residential location it is today.