Kolkata is fundamentally a Tier II city, and its real estate market is not as volatile as those of the primary cities. Because of this, Kolkata’s residential property sector was not as seriously impacted by the nationwide slump in the real estate market as cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune or Hyderabad.
Recently an acquaintance – a fund manager by profession – relocated to India to set-up a domestic PE fund here. He had invested in a Mumbai residential property strategically located close to the primary business district and an international school for his kid.
Equity capital inflows touched USD 8.9 billion between January and September, registering a 46% Y-o-Y growth. The strong momentum in deal volume continued, with about 200 deals reported during this period, compared to 151 deals in the same period last year. The average deal size also increased to nearly USD 45 million in the first nine months of 2024 from about USD 36 million in 2023. Mid-sized deals, ranging between USD 10-50 million, represented 56% of the total investment inflows during this period.
The surge in demand for luxury housing has been primarily attributable to a growing preference among affluent buyers for enhanced amenities and more spacious living areas that complement their multifaceted lifestyles. Moreover, the increasing aspirational class has significantly contributed to the increased demand for luxury properties. Furthermore, the rise in NRI and astute domestic investors in the Indian real estate market has considerably fueled the heightened demand for luxury residences.
Emaar India the Indian business entity of brand Emaar, famous for developing Burj Khalifa, is now entering the Mumbai market with an offering in Alibag. The company will be introducing a coveted villa – only destination for the who’s who of Mumbai- the financial capital of India. It will soon be launching its first ultra-luxury villa project, The Casa Venero in Alibag, Maharashtra. The company has set up their sales lounge in the Oberoi.
World Villas brings Scottish-themed architecture to Navi Mumbai, surrounded by natural forest trails and a scenic riverfront. The development boasts exclusive amenities, including the prestigious Club 10 Gymkhana which is inspired by renowned institutions like Bombay Gymkhana and MCA. This exclusive 50-foot tall gymkhana spans 2,00,000 square feet, spread over an expanse of 10 acres. It also features the grand ‘Hall of Fame’ arrival lobby which is 4000 square feet. This exclusive membership club features state-of-the-art facilities, including an IPL-size cricket ground, complemented by a private forest area with walking trails and tree houses. Inspired by the iconic Lord’s and the Oval, the IPL-size cricket ground at World Villas is also home to the expansive Veranda restaurant, a training academy, and a sports shop.
Between April and June 2024, residential supply witnessed the highest growth rate in the last 24 months, driven by the increasing availability of under-construction properties, shared the recently published PropIndex Report (April-June 2024) by Magicbricks, India’s leading real estate platform. According to the report, the supply of under-construction properties has increased by 11.7% QoQ, while prices have risen by 15.2% QoQ between April-June 2024. This surge has resulted in prices of under-construction properties surpassing those of ready-to-move properties in several cities such as Gurugram, Mumbai, Noida and Thane.
Of the eight major cities, Pune witnessed the steepest drop in unsold inventory levels. The 10% YoY decline in unsold units, highlights strong housing demand across the city. The reduction in unsold units coincides with a major 13% annual rise in average housing prices. This price growth was driven by substantial launches in the high-end and luxury segments. Key localities like Camp and Baner witnessed significant YoY price increases, ranging between 20-23%.
The residential sector is currently undergoing a bullish phase, characterised by a convergence of factors that foster an extremely favourable ecosystem. As we progress into 2024, we anticipate that both sales and new property launches will sustain the sector’s buoyancy. Despite the potential challenges posed by escalating land costs and limited funding options for early-stage projects, the robust underlying market fundamentals are expected to propel residential activity well above the average trend witnessed in the previous five years.
Continuing its upward trajectory, India’s top eight primary residential markets witnessed a strong demand during January-March (Q1 2024) this year with sales rising by 68 per cent in value terms to nearly Rs 1.11 lakh crore, according to a report by PropTiger.com.