Bibiyapur Kothi was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula, on the right bank of the Gomti, on the outskirts of the city.The three storied building served as an entertainment house for important emissaries of the British Government.Kothi Bibiyapur bears a striking French influence-light blue tiles brought specially from France, adorned its interior.The serpentine wooden staircases built inside the Kothi are known to be the first of their kind in India.The Kothi also served as a hunting resort, and Nawab Saadat Ali Khan was crowned here.The building is presently of the Military Diary and is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.

General Claude Martin had built it as his own residence. This small but beautiful building is a unique example of Indo-European architecture. Later, nawaab Saadat Ali Khan purchased it from Martin and it served as a residence for successive rulers including Wajid Ali Shah. Later, the Lal Baradari was built for the Shahi Takht overlooking this place.

Nawab Saadat Ali Khan was a keen builder, who liked European architectural styles, and kothi Hayat Baksh was built for him by General Claude Martin. The Kothi was later awarded by the Nawab to Martin as his residence, and thence came to be known as Banks House when it was occupied by Major Banks. In 1873, when George Couper was the Resident, spacious lawns were created around the Kothi, and a ballroom was added as late as 1907After Independence, Kothi Hayat Baksh became the residence of the Governor and came to be known as Governor House.

Kothi Nur Baksh was also erected at the behest of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan and was occupied by his son Sadiq Ali Khan.Later, in the time of Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider his wazir Aghamir acquired it as his residence. In 1837 when Mohammad Ali Shah became the ruler of Awadh, Kothi Nur Baksh was handed to his son Mirza Rafiussan. Nur Baksh Kothi is one of the few buildings of the period where the earliest authentic emblem of the rulers of Awadh can be seen in marble.

Situated close to the Tarowali Kothi or royal observatory, the construction of Khurshid Manzil was undertaken during the reign of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. The Nawab had intended to gift this palace to his favourite queen Khurshid Zadi, the mother of heir apparent Ghazi-ud-din Haider. But fate had willed otherwise; both Saadat Ali Khan and his wife died before the construction could be completed. The building was finally completed in 1818 in the reign of Ghazi-ud-din Haider, who, honouring the wish of his father named it Khurshid Manzil.
A miniature castle-like edifice, Khurshid Manzil was designed by captain Mc Leod. It is a two-storied building with a large central dome, and eight very distinctive towers, topped by battlements. The Kothi was surrounded by a moat known as Chiraya Jheel. Khurshid manzil was later given to the British, who renamed it the 32nd Mess House. The building became a stronghold of freedom fighters in 1857, when after a long siege Captain Wolseley was able to conquer it. Today it houses the La Martiniere Girls School.

This building was started during the reign of ghazi-ud-din Haider, and completed by Nasir-ud-din Haider(1837). It formed a part of the Chattar Manzil Palace complex, and was meant to serve as a residence for the King's Begums while the King himself resided in the Farhat Baksh Palace. A typical amalgam of the European and Muslim styles of architecture, Darshan Vilas was also known as the 'Chaurukhi Kothi', or the 'House of Four Faces'. It was so called "because each side of the building represented a facade of another of Lucknow's European buildings". While the front was an imitation of the Dilkusha Palace, its rear portion was based on the riverside facade of the Farhat Baksh. The remaining two sides were built in accordance with the architectural pattern followed at the Musabagh Palace. Kothi Darshan Vilas has been famous as the Palace of Qudasia Mahal, the wife of kong Nasir-ud-din Haider. Today it houses the Directorate of Medical Health.

Kothi Roshanuddaula is one of the classic examples of Indo-French architecture and was built by Nawab Roshanudaula, the chief minister of Awadh, as his persinal residence. During Wajid Ali Shah's time, it was renamed 'Kaiser-Pasand' and made the residence of his favourite queen, Mashooq mahal. It was converted into the court office during the British period. The famous trial of Chhappan Chhuri, a well known 'tawaif' or courtesan of the period was held here. Today, the U.P. State Department of Archeology functions from here.

Foundation of this grand palatial building was laid in 1915 by Sir Hercourt Butler, the deputy commissioner of Awadh. Initially built by Raja Mohammad Ali Khan, it was later used by Sir Hercourt as his residence. However, this impressive conglomeration of three large buildings could only be partially built due to regular floods on the Gomati river. Facing the Palace is a tank with beautiful canopies and fountains.

The Dilkusha Kothi set amidst lush green lawns, was built in the Gothic style. The Kothi and its adjoining magnificent garden were created by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan; the Kothi is almost an exact replica of an English Country house called Seaton Delavel built in 1721.
During the 1857 war of Independence, the Kothi attracted the wrath of revolutionaries. It is currently being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India, and is a popular picnic spot.