The Old Marina Houses in Lagos Island stand as architectural relics of Nigeria’s colonial past, where European influence first took root on the coastline. Nestled along the famous Marina waterfront, these elegant colonial-era buildings once housed British administrators, merchants, and expatriates during the early 20th century.
Today, they form a vital part of Lagos’s architectural and historical heritage, drawing in tourists, historians, and photographers alike who seek to understand the legacy of British rule in Nigeria’s economic capital.
Historical Background
- Strategic Coastal Location: As Lagos became a British protectorate in the 19th century, Marina evolved into a central administrative and commercial hub. The British developed infrastructure around the lagoon front to support trade, governance, and residential quarters for colonial officials.
- European Architecture in Tropical Africa: The old Marina Houses display neoclassical and Edwardian architectural styles—high ceilings, wide verandas, arched windows—all adapted to suit Lagos’s tropical climate.
- Centers of Power: These homes were not merely residential; many doubled as government offices or commercial lodges for trading companies like the United Africa Company (UAC) and the Bank of British West Africa.
Tourist Appeal
- Walking Heritage Tours: The Marina area is a popular route for colonial walking tours, with guides narrating stories of British-Lagos relations and pointing out architectural symbolism.
- Proximity to Other Landmarks: Located near Tafawa Balewa Square, Cathedral Church of Christ, and the CMS Bookshop, the Old Marina Houses can be explored as part of a broader Lagos Island cultural experience.
- Cultural Reflection: These buildings offer a chance to reflect on the complexities of Nigeria’s colonial legacy, from exploitation and governance to urban development and resistance.
Despite urban encroachment and deterioration, efforts are ongoing to preserve these structures as protected heritage sites.
