Chettinad’s revival fuels both restoration and dismantling of historic mansions

Karaikudi: Chettinad is undergoing a revival — and its mansions are paying the price. As travellers, architects, and designers discover the region’s unique aesthetic through festivals and curated holidays, the Chettiar legacy is travelling across the world. But as interest expands from food to design and architecture, the question is whether this revival will help sustain what remains.

Luxury homes and hotels across the country are increasingly being outfitted with Burmese teak doors, granite pillars, vintage tiles, and even carved wooden roofs retrieved from century-old mansions. Handpainted tiles and crystal chandeliers once exclusive to Chettinad homes now feature in properties like The Lotus Palace by The Park.

“Entire houses are being cannibalised,” says Chennai-based architect Sujatha Shankar. “Wares from these homes fuel a thriving antique market, drawing buyers in India and abroad.” The mansions, built by the wealthy Chettiar community in the 19th and early 20th centuries, are known for their scale, craftsmanship, and blend of Indian and European influences. With many families having moved away, maintenance costs have forced heirs to sell.

While some structures are being restored as heritage hotels and museums, others are being dismantled piece by piece for their architectural elements. Conservationists warn that the trend risks stripping the region of its built heritage even as global attention grows.