Refurbishing the Zoroastrian Centre

Though the ZTFE’s application for the construction of an atash dadgah on their car park land failed to receive the permission of the planning department of the London Borough of Harrow, the authorities have accepted a plan for the refurbishment of the New Zoroastrian Centre, notes the New Premises Project update report published by the ZTFE. Accordingly, the first phase of renovation envisaging the shifting of the Setayesh Gah from their old premises at Compayne Gardens to the New Centre at Harrow where major socials are increasingly being held, was flagged off on August 16, 2004 with all the necessary prayers and rituals. The area behind the first floor public gallery, not currently in use, comprising a projector room and some office space has been designed to incorporate the new Setayesh Gah as well as provide space for performing the kusti as also a mobed changing room. A lift is to be provided for the use of the elderly and the infirm and the stairs leading to the first floor to be renovated and modernized, as per the report issued in the name of the three ZTFE trustees Noshir Avari, Kersey Jasavala and Firoze Mun­shi, chairman of the New Premises committee Shah­rokh Shahrokh, ZTFE president Dorab Mistry and committee members Ervad Rustom Bhedwar, Malcolm Deboo, Paurushasp Jila, Rusi Dalal, Keki Cooper, Kobad Avari, Roshan Khorshid­chehr, Ratan Buhariwala, Faroukh Sorab, Behram Kapadia and Erach Amaria.

Also on the anvil is the refurbishment of the entrance hall, the foyer, the balcony and the Zartoshty Brothers Hall as well as the toilets on the ground and first floor. The project is expected to cost approximately £ 500,000 but thanks to philanthropist Mehraban Zartoshty’s active support which has also brought in other significant donors — some of whom have requested anonymity — no collection has been envisaged from the association membership.

Clockwise from top left: Jhabla and topi from Alpaiwalla Museum, Wadia built East Indianman Earl Balcarres (Photo: Rusheed Wadia) and Apartment in a Mandarin’s House (Courtesy: Phillips Antiques)

Once these renovations and the shift of the Setayesh Gah — labeled as phase one of the improvement program — is complete, the ZTFE committee hopes to embark on improving the rest of the building, as they already have the requisite permission. Prior to that, they hope to sell the Compayne Gardens property. The decision to do so has been taken after a protracted study of the options available. Renting out, redevelopment, etc were considered and abandoned. Studies extending over 50 to 100 years have revealed that total investment in equities, gilts and other financial institutions has outstripped returns from property. For ZTFE to hold two properties would mean that "90 percent of the wealth of the association would be tied up in property, an unwise and risky proposition,” states the update. The property market in London is now said to have reached a peak and the idea is to make the sale before it declines.

Accordingly, the committee has instructed Hamptons International, a leader in the property field to market the property on an "informal tender” basis which means that bids from a wide range of prospective buyers would be considered before accepting the most appropriate bid. A consideration of £ 2.5 million is envisaged, notes the press release.

It is anticipated that 50 percent of the sale proceeds will be earmarked for investment in a Restricted Maintenance Fund whose income will be used to fund the running expenses of the association in perpetuity. Currently the income to the general fund through membership subscriptions contributes less than one-tenth to the running costs of the association; the rest of the association’s income goes into restricted funds. It has no regular source of income or donation, informs the update. Of the balance amount, 15 percent may be earmarked for a development fund to finance a future atash dadgah or other projects if the ZTFE membership agrees. The remaining 35 percent is expected to finance the future phases of refurbishment of the Harrow center.