Reclaiming Neighborhoods
Adopt a heritage Home:
Despite being restored through the tireless efforts of WCLA & Agha Khan the damage continues as for decades these homes have been rented to warehouses and, by default to rats. Once you adopt (rent) an entire home or a floor it will be yours and WCLA will place a plaque to lay claim to your family or in memory of a beloved one and commemorate your resolve to preserve the historic richness and diversity of our multifaceted culture. The space will open up to be a playground of art, literature and culture. You will see the artisans and students sketching, painting, making frescos, doing calligraphy, writing, composing lyrics, verses and scripts. A fusion of traditional crafts and contemporary arts will blend, grow and soar. Limited availability gives you a small window to be part of this hallowed group, "The Guardians of Our Heritage." Here you pursue poetry & literary, the discover traditional and contemporary arts & crafts, find just the souvenir you coveted and enjoy the delectable cuisine of old Lahore . This my friends is a once in a lifetime opportunity
Location: The Lahore Walled City is situated in the north-west of metropolitan Lahore. In addition to its landmark monuments, smaller historic buildings form a bulk of its urban fabric. While a large number of these buildings possess considerable architectural merit, even the more ordinary historic buildings display a range of architectural features, which endow the city’s landscape with a rich historic ambience and architectural diversity. The majority of these buildings and the labyrinthine alley-ways and neighborhoods in which they are situated form an urban heritage, unique for its morphological and intangible values.
Gali Surjan Singh is typical of the remaining historical fabric of the LWC. The buildings of Gali Surjan Singh were constructed in the late 19th or early 20th century and catered to middle income households with limited budgets. These buildings also represent the transformations in technology, architectural expression and typology that were affecting Lahore during the colonial period. Access to Gali Surjan Singh is gained from Delhi Gate Bazaar – one of the eastern passageways into the old city. On a busy day one walks past shops and vendors selling items ranging from fabric and ready to-wear clothing, to pottery, huqqas and tobacco, jewelry, spices, food etc.
About G-218
•A 3-marla corner residence is newly build but it was the house of HAKEEM SURJAN SINGH, who used to live in this house before partition. The cemented layout encompasses a ground floor and two additional floors.
•Exterior wooden paneling fixed by WCLA, which is hiding the electric meters.
•Resided by House Owner Mr. Hafiz Ziaudin & family
About G-219
•A 1.5-marla used to be godown occupied by tenants. This three floors building is about 100 years old. In 1985 that house situated inn Gali Surjan Singh was the Najaf Ideal School.
•Its interior and exterior is completely restored by AKCSP, World Band.
•House Owner Mr. Noor Khan
•PURPOSE: Resturant/Breakfast
About G-220
•Three Floor Godown
•House Owner Mr. Noor Khan
About G-221/222
•A 3-marla 150 years old residence having high architectural merit building traditional material.
•Occupied by House Owner Mr. Usman & his family.
•It is recently restored by AKCSP, World Bank & WCLA.
•Three Floor building having USMAN KI BETHAK on ground floor and residence on upper two floors.
•PURPOSE: Traditional sitting area for tourists.
About G-223
•A 40 feet high 3-marla house having antique look. The material used to build was white lime, Lime flush pointing on the wall. Also a small water well inside this house yet to be discovered.
•There is thrush hole on the top with two tulip flowers on both sides.
•Ground Floor occupied by Akhuwat and tenants on upper two floors.
•PURPOSE: Meeting Room
About G-234
•A 2-marla corner residence is 150 years old uniquely positioned along a narrow street that takes a 90-degree turn from Gali Surjan Singh. The architectural layout encompasses a ground floor and three additional floors. The first level is wooden roofing with PCC Flooring and second level RB reinforced brick.
•Ground Floor Adopted by Hashim Ali Chaudhary. Owner resides on the remaining three floors
•PURPOSE: A concept souvenir nook by the name of Iqbal Begum where items inspired by local crafts, dying arts , Vernacular stories will be sold.
About G-235
•A 3 marla with three floors house. Restored by AKCSP, World Bank & WCLA. On ground floor there is beautiful wooden mezzanine.
•Ground Floor adopted by Akhuwat. Upper Floor Occupied by tenants & House Owner Ms. Shaista on top floor.
•PURPOSE: Akhuwat 500 Branch
About G-236
•A 2 marla newly build house with Red bricks giving old antique look.
•Having three floors. Ground Floor is empty. Upper floors occupied by House Owner Mr. Noor Khan
•PURPOSE: Akhuwat 500 Branch will be shifted on ground floor soon.
About G-297
•A 2 marla house having four floors with mid condition.
•Two Shops of Beauty Parlor and book shop on ground floor and house owner residence on upper floors.
•House Owner Mr. Muzamil and his family
About G-298
•A 6 marla house with 4 floors built in later british period. This house has maximum area in GALI SURJAN SINGH.
•This house has colonial style cornices.
•Guzargah on ground floor and house owner residence on upper floors.
•House Owned by Mr. Abid.
•PURPOSE: GUZARGAH
About G-299
•A 3 marla house with three floors. It was build again in 1992 because it was in depilated condition had to demolish and reconstructed.
•Ground floor adopted by Discover Pakistan and residence of House owner on upper floors
•House owned by Mr. Zulqernain Haider.
•PURPOSE: Audition Studio on ground floor.
About G-300
•A 5 marla house with two floors. Newly constructed house having two shops on ground floor.
•Tenants in shops and residence in upper floors
•House owner Mr. Islam
About G-301
•A 2 marla office