Chennai's 1960s Bungalow Reborn as a Stylish Boutique Villa

A historic 1960s bungalow in Chennai has been transformed into a boutique hotel while keeping its original charm. Known as Una Villa, the 8,800 sq ft property sits on Nungambakkam High Road, near landmarks like Taj Coromandel and Aayakar Bhawan. The project was led by Indian businessman Rafiq Ahmed, who acquired the site in 2024 and commissioned its adaptive reuse.

Una Villa was originally built as a family's summer retreat but had stood empty for years. The building's Mid-Century layout was carefully preserved, with only minor changes to improve the flow between rooms. The property also features a lush garden, planted over six decades ago, which adds to its historic appeal.

The adaptive reuse was overseen by Anisha Murali and Denver Pereira of u:i:make, who worked closely with Rafiq Ahmed's hospitality firm, KICL. The redesign includes a restaurant, a bakery, and a domestic garden, blending modern function with heritage character. Ahmed's goal was to maintain the villa's original features while repurposing it for contemporary use. The location on Nungambakkam High Road places Una Villa among some of Chennai's most recognisable buildings. Its transformation reflects a growing trend of restoring older structures rather than replacing them, ensuring their stories continue for future generations.

The completed project now operates as a boutique hotel under KICL Hospitality. Guests can experience the villa's preserved Mid-Century design alongside new amenities. The adaptive reuse sets an example for balancing heritage conservation with modern needs in Chennai's evolving cityscape.