Of the four great red-brick landmarks around Park Town, only one is set up for visitors who simply want to look around: the Victoria Public Hall, which the Greater Chennai Corporation reopened after a Rs 32.62 crore restoration. Since January 2026 it runs on timed, ticketed slots between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm, with a cap of 60 people a slot, and is closed on Tuesdays, according to DT Next. Tickets are booked online through the Corporation.
The Ripon Building, Senate House and Chennai Central are working buildings: a civic headquarters, a university hall and the city’s main railway terminus. You can admire all three, but access is limited. Here is what each is and what you can actually do there.
Victoria Public Hall: open, with tickets
Built in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, the hall was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm in a Romanesque style, according to a CMDA heritage paper. It served as the city’s town hall for public meetings and performances.
The restored hall opened to the public on 26 December 2025 after more than two years of work. The first weeks, with free entry, were treated as a trial; then the Corporation introduced fees and an audio-visual show.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Adults | Rs 25 |
| Students and senior citizens | Rs 10 |
| Foreign visitors | Rs 50 |
| Children below 10 and persons with disabilities | Free |
When booking you choose a language, Tamil or English, for the theatre-style presentation. Inside are ground-floor galleries on the hall’s donors and builders, the leaders who spoke there, the Justice Party, the growth of theatre and cinema, and Chennai’s sporting history, DT Next reported at the opening. Outside there is a tram, an archaeological display and “old Madras” selfie spots. The hall’s theatre space can be booked separately for arts and cultural events; the Corporation reviews the purpose of each event before approving it. The hall is already being used again: it hosted a “Sounds of Sangam” programme on rare musical instruments in January 2026 and the Madras Quiz for Schools in August 2026. Book through the Corporation’s website.
Ripon Building: a working civic office
The white headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation was completed in 1913. CMDA credits the design to G.S.T. Harris, assisted by Loganatha Mudaliar, in a classical style Because it houses the Mayor’s office, the council hall and commissioners’ offices, it is not run as a heritage attraction. We found no regular public heritage tour. You can enter on civic business, such as meeting officials. Photography of the facade from the road outside is easy and best in the morning light.
Senate House: admire from the gate
The University of Madras was founded in 1857, according to the university’s history page. Its Senate House on Kamarajar Salai, facing the Marina, is another Chisholm design. CMDA dates it to 1864, the year the government first sought designs, while other accounts place the design and building work in the 1870s. Its style blends Byzantine and Indo-Saracenic elements, and it is often described as one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India. The interior has stained glass, murals and painted panels, but DT Next notes the public is rarely allowed in. Visitors can see the exterior from the campus grounds; for occasional events or concerts inside, watch university announcements.
Chennai Central: open to every passenger
Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central station, still called Central by everyone, opened in 1873 as Madras Central. CMDA lists George Harding as the original architect, with later additions by Chisholm, in a Gothic Revival style with Italianate touches. Unlike the others, Central is open round the clock. Anyone can walk into the concourse; you need a valid ticket or platform ticket to go on to the platforms. The station and the Ripon Building stand close together, so one photo stop covers both.
Making a heritage walk of it
- Start at Central around 8 am, before the traffic builds.
- Walk to the Ripon Building, a few minutes away, for photographs.
- Take an early slot at Victoria Public Hall, next door, booked in advance.
- Head to Kamarajar Salai for Senate House by auto or bus.
Central metro station serves the area. Carry water and avoid Tuesdays if you want to include Victoria Public Hall.
Quick answers
Can the public visit Victoria Public Hall?
Yes. Book a timed slot online. Tickets are Rs 25 for adults; it is closed on Tuesdays.
Is Ripon Building open to visitors?
It is the Corporation’s working headquarters; there is no regular public heritage tour.
Can I go inside Senate House?
Rarely. The public is generally allowed in only for occasional events.
When was Chennai Central built?
It opened in 1873 as Madras Central, with later additions by Robert Chisholm.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- History of historical buildings and monuments in and around Chennai (CMDA)
- Chennai: Public can visit Victoria Hall from tomorrow (DT Next)
- Victoria Public Hall now fully open (DT Next)
- A confluence point of royalty, politics and sports (DT Next)
- University of Madras: History (University of Madras)
- Greater Chennai Corporation
