Newly restored Lloyd's Building opens for business today
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)'s refurbished Lloyd's Building
will be opened by Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the
invitation of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal
today at No. 13, Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha, Colombo 1.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka purchased this historic building in
2009 with the intention of meeting its growing space requirements due to
expansion of activities in the recent years and took measures to
renovate this building taking care to preserve its architectural value.
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The newly
restored Lloyd’s Building |
This picturesque building, constructed in 1908 was originally named
as 'Freudenberg Building' and subsequently the 'Lloyd's Building'.
Designed by renowned Architect E Skinner and constructed by Clifford
Lake and Company. This building signifies British architectural heritage
of the late 19th century. The richly decorated conference room, elegant
marble corridors, classical motifs, quaint woodwork and attractive
exterior design of the building symbolize commercial heydays of early
20th century in Sri Lanka.
Initially, the main occupant of the building was Freudenberg and Co.
and by 1917, several floors were leased out to Colombo Apothecaries Co.
Ltd., Shanghai Life Insurance Co., Morrison and Bell, Standard Oil
Company New York, C W Mackie and Co., Clark Young and Co., The Vacuum
Oil Company and the Consul for the United States of America.
In 1933, the joint owners of the building, Walter Edward Moncrieff
Peterson, Henry Seymour Jeaffreson, Basil Walter Cuthbert Leefe and Ian
Woodford Aitkeen sold the building to Ceylon and General Properties Ltd.
In 1950, the ownership was transferred to Badrawathie Fernando Estate
Ltd. and then to United Ceylon Insurance Co. Ltd. in 1957.
The United Ceylon Insurance Co. Ltd. owned and managed the building
as a business premises since 1957 till the Central Bank of Sri Lanka
purchased it in 2009.
Located among the buildings which have been neglected for nearly 30
years without any major repairs due to several bomb blasts that took
place in the Colombo city and brutal terrorist activities, the
renovation of this building will now be able to signal the dawn of a new
peaceful era, as well as make a significant contribution to the
government's effort in making Colombo city one of the most attractive
cities in Asia. This building has five storey and a basement floor
consisting of over 30,000 sq. ft. office space. In the course of the
renovation programme, the building added new elevators, modern
electrical and communication system, fire alarm system and air
conditioning system.
The Central Bank believes that the renovation of this classic
building would encourage other building owners in the Colombo city to
also take measures to renovate their buildings which will greatly
enhance the appearance of the Colombo City. Further, the renovation of
all important buildings of this nature will also serve as a major
tourist attraction in the future.
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