David Hall, the former residence for Dutch commanders in India, is a single story, 470 square meter structure in an expansive 1,425 square meter area with large windows, thick walls, open courtyards and an oval roof.
CGH Earth took a 25-year lease on David Hall, located in the southern state of Kerala, in 2008 and restored the structure. The INR6 million ($118,615) renovations have added new features such as three art galleries, an open cafe in its courtyard and a residence for artists. Its three large halls, verandah and rooms have become part of the cultural center.
David Hall will be a performing arts center for India’s lesser known art forms, says Jose Dominic, managing director of CGH Earth.
The roof of the building features Dutch design with an upturned ship hull. The courtyard is paved with yellow bricks typical in other Dutch monuments.
As homage to the commanders who lived there, the property features a garden with plants mentioned in Hortus Malabaricus, a compilation of the flora on the Malabar Coast by the Dutch commander Hendrik Adriaan van Reed lot Drakestein.
The renovation has taken care to retain the basic structure of the building and Dutch design. David Hall was last owned by David Koder, a Jewish businessman from whom it takes its name. The Koder family sold it to CNO India, a society for the preservation of the heritage and culture of the Netherlands overseas.
