Deep in the heart of South India lies a collection of decaying mansions. These worn and faded homes tell a story of opulence, status, and wealth from a bygone era when one of the last of India’s wealthy merchant classes turned the region of Chettinad into a hub of commerce. There are more than 15,000 homes built from this era, many filled with decor purchased overseas. Today, these ruins are a treasure trove for antique dealers, collectors, interior designers, and history buffs.⁠ ⁠ Some of the elaborate mansions—even those still owned by the original ancestral families—have been abandoned due to the astronomical cost of upkeep. But others, like Chettinadu Mansion and Chidambara Vilas, have been converted into heritage hotels and retain much of their original structure and decor for guests to behold. Studio One by Zero, an architecture and interior design firm, incorporates the history and art of Chettinad mansions into its residential and corporate projects as well. And the nearby anti...