Real estate prices in Mumbai can come as a rude shock to many — with prices starting well above the Rs 1 crore mark in many areas. A furnished apartment within the city went viral this week for all the wrong reasons with hundreds marvelling at the cramped space and somewhat unique layout.
The clip was shared online by an Instagram user Jayantika and quickly trended across social media platforms.
Bathroom face-to-face with cooking area
The house tour began in the living area, where a sofa faces the far-too-close opposite wall with little space for other furniture (or people) to stand. A corridor linking the living room and entrance to the rest of the house branches off into a slightly larger bedroom and an elongated (and comparatively massive) kitchen.
“You have a kitchen like this. And jahan pe apka chulha ayega uske this samne there is a sandaas [The toilet is just opposite to the cooking area],” she explains.
The real estate frenzy across Mumbai can be attributed to several factors — including chronic land scarcity, booming demand from high-income professionals, and speculative investments. Prime locations also benefit from proximity to Bollywood hubs, beaches, and business locales. All of these end up innflating values despite cramped layouts and poor amenities in many parts of the city. Developers have also been known to prioritise density over luxury, churning out “matchbox” units that focus on profit margins.
Netizens horrified: ‘It looks like a train coach!’
The video has left many on the internet horrified — both by its eye-watering price point and the bizarre architectural choices made by the builders. Some on the internet compared the design to a railway coach while others were left bewildered by the massive size of the face-to-face kitchen and bathroom and the tiny living room.
“The only spacious thing is the bathroom,” lamented one X user.
“Looks like a train coach. How can even someone design a bathroom in front of a kitchen?” read one baffled comment.
“The bathroom looks as big as the hall,” wrote a third.
“Matchboxes can hold more sticks,” fumed a fourth.
“People will still buy the flat for the price. This gives the builder the complacency to build such a flat,” wrote another user.
Others turned to Grok for better understanding of Mumbai real estate prices — with the chatbot providing a rather grim assessment of the homes Rs 1.5 crore could buy in the city.
“You can find similar small 1BHK flats (around 400-500 sq ft) for Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore in areas like Vakola (451 sq ft at ₹1.25 Cr), Bhandup West (410 sq ft at ₹1.10 Cr), or Borivali West (400 sq ft at ₹1.15 Cr). Check sites like MagicBricks for current listings. Prices vary by location and amenities,” came the response from the AI bot.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is based on a viral social media discussion and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The financial figures and strategies mentioned are personal to the user and have not been independently verified. This story does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any specific investment strategy. Readers are advised to consult a SEBI-registered investment advisor before making financial decisions.