DLF, India’s largest listed real estate developer, is considering entering Mumbai’s super-premium and ultra-luxury residential segments following its maiden premium project in the city.
“We have done a lot of premium projects in Gurugram, along with luxury and super premium. We will get into luxury and super premium here, but right now our focus is on the current project,” said Aakash Ohri, joint managing director and chief business officer at DLF.
DLF is known for its luxury projects such as The Camellias and The Magnolias in Gurugram, and Regal Gardens and The Skycourt in New Gurugram, catering to the premium segment. In Mumbai, key players in the luxury and super-premium space currently include Hiranandani, Oberoi Realty, and K Raheja Corp.
DLF’s Re-entry
As part of its re-entry into Mumbai, DLF is set to launch its residential project, The Westpark, in the Andheri West area, in partnership with local developer Trident Realty. Apartments in the project are priced between `4 crore and `8 crore, with sizes ranging from 1,100 to 2,500 sq ft.
In 2005, DLF acquired 17 acres of prime mill land in Lower Parel for Rs 704 crore through a National Textile Corporation auction. The company later sold the land to Lodha Developers in 2012 for Rs 2,700 crore.
Mumbai’s Luxury Living Landscape
The company plans to launch the project in phases, starting with two towers in August this year. The first two phases will have a total gross development value (GDV) of Rs 5,000 crore and will comprise 416 units in total.
“We will adapt to the local market but will not change our way of operating,” Ohri said, adding that, like their luxury projects in Gurugram, the Mumbai development will feature a 50,000 sq ft clubhouse and a 33,000 sq ft crèche.
Ohri said that while balconies are not typically popular in Mumbai’s residential market, their project aims to set a new trend — making balconies the norm in the city.
Though residential sales declined by 28% in the June quarter, Ohri said DLF has not experienced any slowdown. In fact, he noted that their recent launch, Privana North in Gurugram, garnered `11,000 crore in bookings, with the entire project inventory sold out within a week.
“After Covid, home is a top priority for people and it’s an opportunity cost of money for them,” he said.