The Old Lighthouse mast along with the bungalow that was called the Bristow House came up in 1927-28. Sir Robert Bristow, a member of the Royal Society of Arts, left his indelible mark in the construction and architecture of this British-style heritage building where he lived during his stay in Fort Kochi, Cochin. After the British left India, the Indian Government converted the Bristow House into the official residence for port officials and personnel of the Indian Navy and Air Force. During 1980s, the Government of India moved out of the building and it was reduced to a faint shadow of its former grandeur due to lack of maintenance. In December 2006, the Bristow House was given on lease to Suvira Energy following a fierce bidding war. Vikram Ghorpade, the owner of Suvira Energy who has a keen interest in restoration of heritage properties, put in a lot of effort to revive the lost glory of the Old Lighthouse and the Bristow House. Today, the Bristow House stands as one of the finest properties in Fort Kochi, Kerala and has been rechristened as The Old Lighthouse Bristow Hotel. The centuries-old trees and the lighthouse bear witness to beautiful ships that sail past the property and add to the staying experience of tourists who make this property their home away from home while vacationing in Cochin, only to return later to recapture the holiday magic.
