Malek Mansion

Malek Mansion (عمارت ملک) is a magnificent historical building in the city of Bushehr, Bushehr province. Constructed in the late Qajar era, it belonged to Malek al-Tojjar, a wealthy and influential merchant from southern Iran, and is an exemplary representation of traditional Bushehr architecture. The interior architectural style is inspired by the "Bengal" style typical of the Persian Gulf coasts, featuring defensive sections, walls, a throne room, multiple verandas, and residential rooms. The complex also includes interconnected gardens separated by walls, each with a separate entrance to the outside.

This two-story mansion is inspired by both French and Iranian architectural styles, featuring columned balconies, wooden windows, large windcatchers, and luxurious rooms. Notably, the mansion is constructed with teak wood and local materials such as coral stones and plaster, making it resilient against the region’s climatic conditions. The interconnected gardens, each separated by rows of walls, offer a unique landscape, with distinct decorations and landscaping, creating a harmonious yet diverse outdoor space.

The complex spans 25,000 square meters while the mansion itself has a 4,000 square meter rectangular floorplan. The mansion consists of several parts. The forecourt is a wide open space linking the city with the complex, leading to the platform, entrance porch, and main building. The platform is a large section connected to the main building by a row of steps on 3 sides and arriving at the middle two columns out of the four columns on the veranda. A large wooden door with metal decorations is also present here. 

The main building contains two floors and magnificent paintings on the walls. In the lower hall, Malek al-Tojjar held meetings with influential figures, while the upper floor was used for private banquets. It encompasses a royal seat, multiple halls, a bathhouse, numerous rooms, and towers, all within its two-story expanse.

One of the most remarkable features is its unique cooling system: the thick walls of the mansion are double-layered with about two meters of space between them. This cavity is filled with wet palm leaves or a type of thorny plant. Air enters through special vents, passes over the moist plants, cools down, and then flows into the mansion through ground-level openings, functioning like a natural air conditioner during summer and keeping the interior cool and pleasant.

During the British invasion of southern Iran, Malek Mansion was captured by the British and turned into a military base with many of its precious artifacts sold cheaply to England. The building was later restored after being taken from military use during the late reign of Reza Shah. 

Malek Mansion is considered a historical symbol of Bushehr, showcasing the grandeur of traditional architecture and the rich history of this ancient port. It was registered on Iran’s Cultural Heritage List in 1998 with number 2184. While the main complex currently remains unoccupied, the pavilions and internal buildings previously served as housing for low-income individuals for several decades. 

Presently, the Cultural Heritage Department of Bushehr is responsible for its restoration and maintenance, with ongoing efforts to revive this important structure. In 2020, restoration work commenced, aiming to repurpose the mansion for residential and hospitality use.