Mekylwan Guest House Mekylwan, is an almost hundred years old building, located in the recently developed Royal Springs Golf Course near the Dal Lake. This building, serving as a residence/shop combination at one time, represented the rich traditional Kashmiri architecture and therefore required to be conserved with urgency. Measures were taken to re-fit the building without altering its basic structural plan and other special architectural features associated with it.

The building had greater significance for its location within the 18-hole, high-class Royal Spring Golf Course. The state government undertook the laying out of the Royal Springs Golf Course in 1987-88 under the Special Assistance Program of the Prime Minister and Robert Trent Jones II, the world renowned golf course designers were appointed as consultants. The course was commissioned in September, 2001 and the club building in the year 2002.

The golf course which has an area of about 100 hectares can be approached from the Boulevard road and is located opposite to the Sher-i-Kashmir Convention Centre and the Mekylwan building lies on the eastern side of the golf course. An internal road passing right through the lush green golf course leads to the building.

The building, prior to refurbishment was suffering from neglect and natural weathering. Most of the deteriorated elements were repaired or replaced to return the building to its original state. The roof of the building was in a satisfactory state and needed minor repair work. The refurbishment project was based on the following parameters;

1) Minimum alteration to the spatial layout and the traditional architectural elements.
2) Restoring the original fabric of the building as much as possible.
3) Minimum intervention to the structural integrity of the building.

The conservation plan for the building was prepared keeping in mind its original usage and the traditional fabric. The alterations and additions were carried out in such a manner that the overall spatial layout, architectural features and structural system of the building and did not alter. The refurbished building is now serving as a guest house for high-end users, state guests and national or international golfers at the time of tournaments. It largely generates its own income, although periodic inspections by a technical team are carried out.