India is today facing a unique challenge of dealing with high inflation, while continuing on its high growth trajectory. Boosting of supply in all industries, including through incentivizing of infrastructure development, streamlining of regulatory process to reduce time and costs for business and tax incentives for low cost housing are all important areas which will help reduce inflation and also enable growth rates to be maintained.
New research from Jones Lang LaSalle reveals that positive business sentiment and solid corporate hiring are buoying leasing demand in the office markets of Asia Pacific. In 2010, aggregate net take-up across major Tier I markets was more than double the level of the previous year.
Bharti-Walmart, a 50:50 joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and US-based Walmart, has roped in real estate company, Ansal API, to set up its cash-and-carry store in Lucknow.The ‘Best Price Modern Wholesale’ store in Lucknow will be spread over 60,000 sq feet in Sushant Golf City, a high-tech residential township being developed by the Ansals.
Gone are the days when we were chained to our desk from 9 to 5. How we work is changing. The idea of a “Third Place,” a space that’s neither home nor office but where people want to spend a portion of their lives, was introduced as far back as 1989 in Ray Oldenburg’s book “The Great Good Place.” Today, thanks to the advent of wireless technology, the concept has evolved from being merely from a civic or entertainment space and now also applies to a flexible work space for mobile employees.
DLF Limited, India’s largest real estate company, recorded consolidated revenues of Rs 2,594 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, an increase of 21% from Rs 2,151 crore in the Q3FY10. EBIDTA stood at Rs 1,292 crore, an increase of 33% as compared to Rs 969 crore in the corresponding period last year. Net profit was at Rs 466 crore, as compared to Rs 468 crore in Q3FY0. The non-annualised EPS for the quarter was Rs 2.74
Mumbai witnessed the highest absorption in the year in 4Q10 which was recorded at 1,328,582 sq ft (123,429 sqm) indicating robust demand. Demand for Grade A office space was broad-based and not restricted to the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sectors, which typically dominate Mumbai’s tenant landscape. Domestic and multinational occupiers from the consulting, aviation, IT/ITES and other industries were active in acquiring front-office and back-office space in 4Q10.
The Hyderabad commercial office market posted a strong increase in demand in 2010 with the foray of new occupiers such as United Health Group, JP Morgan Chase and Facebook, and the expansion of existing tenants including TCS, Accenture, Google, Mindtree and Cognizant. Majority of the leasing transactions were recorded in the peripheral districts of Hitec City and Gachibowli. During the year, the city also witnessed strong pre-leasing activity. Demand of SEZ space in the city increased as compared to IT Parks in 2010.
The period ending 4Q10 witnessed low to moderate activity levels in the CBD and SBD of Delhi NCR. The CBD, with its low vacancy levels, continued to cater to small office queries, while the SBD with significantly more office stock, catered to the larger corporate office space demand.
Bangalore continued to witness increased market activity in 4Q10. Transaction volumes have improved significantly compared to that in the previous quarter. The improvement in transaction activity can be attributed to the stabilising macroeconomic situation, positive business environment outlook and the strengthening domestic market conditions.
Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (Credai), on Saturday, announced that it would be organising ‘Southcon 2011’ —South India’s first real estate development conference on February 4-5 at Hotel Lalit Ashok.