Crossword is Back

Alok Nanda writes about the refreshing return of the much-loved, classic bookstore of South Bombay, redesigned by Ajay Shah. What's not to love!

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The first thing that strikes you about the new Crossword is the lovely natural light. Then the open white volume, a feeling of airiness and lightness. "We stripped down everything the false ceilings, the plywood that blocked the windows, the boxed frames around the pillars," says Ajay Shah, the designer and founder of Ajay Shah Design Studio, who headed the spatial and visual redesign of the classic bookstore. The result is a large open hall, vibrant and joyous. When AD first approached me to write about the bookstore I was apprehensive. Crossword is not only a bookstore I've spent time (and a sizeable part of my income) in; it's also a brand I've helped create.