Western and Northern section of The Mall The British administration prioritized the construction of educational, judicial, and public health institutions along the western section of The Mall. The southern side of Lower Mall saw the erection of the
Town Hall, the
Mayo School of Arts (now the
National College of Arts), the
Lahore Museum, the
Punjab Public Library, and the
Tollinton Market (originally the Great Exhibition Hall). Opposite these, on the northern side, the administration built the Lahore District Courts,
Government College Lahore, the
Central Model School,
Oriental College, and the
University of the Punjab. These structures were initially designed in
Neo-Gothic,
Baroque, and
Neoclassical styles, establishing a distinct European architectural footprint.
Eastward expansion and architectural evolution As the road extended eastward toward the new cantonment, the architectural style began to incorporate local elements, resulting in a fusion of Gothic and Oriental designs. This section houses the
General Post Office (GPO), the
Lahore High Court (formerly the Chief's Court), the Telegraph Office, and the
YMCA. This zone also became a hub for missionary education, featuring the
Cathedral School and Church, the
Sacred Heart School, and
St. Anthony’s High School and Church.
Charing Cross and Upper Mall A focal point of The Mall is
Charing Cross, named after the junction in
London. This intersection was originally dominated by a marble canopy housing a statue of
Queen Victoria. Following independence, the statue was removed to the
Lahore Museum, and during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, it was briefly replaced by a wooden replica of the Quran. Surrounding Charing Cross are several landmarks: the
Freemasons' Hall, the
Lahore Zoo, and the
Lawrence Gardens (now
Bagh-e-Jinnah). The gardens contain the
Lawrence Hall and Montgomery Hall, which housed the original
Lahore Gymkhana Club. Nearby is the
Governor House, a sprawling estate that originated as a Mughal tomb and later served as a Sikh residence before being adapted by the British. Further east, the road passes
Aitchison College, an elite boarding school, and the Government Officers Residences (GOR), before terminating at the Mian Mir Cantonment. ==Gallery==