From bespoke living experiences to civic-conscious development, India’s high-end housing market is adapting to a new era of aspiration and design
Luxury Finds a New Meaning in Indian Real Estate
Luxury real estate in India is no longer defined by marble floors or skyline views. A new class of homeowners, that includes startup founders and next generation family office leaders, is reshaping the idea of luxury to focus on lifestyle, legacy, and ease of living. Whether in South Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, or Pune, today’s discerning buyer is looking for long term value and a sense of community rather than just opulence.
This evolution is visible in how developers are repositioning their offerings. The market is shifting from a “buy and hold” mindset to a “live and thrive” proposition. Custom layouts, wellness focused architecture, smart home technology, and integrated mobility are increasingly becoming part of the standard blueprint.
Luxury Housing Demand on the Rise
According to Knight Frank, residences priced above ₹1 crore accounted for nearly 50 percent of all units sold across India’s top eight cities in H1 2025. Mumbai recorded over 47,000 sales, with a strong tilt toward mid-premium and luxury segments. The National Capital Region led in premium share. At the same time, under-construction luxury homes in Mumbai saw prices rise by up to 44% year-on-year, the sharpest jump across major metros.
According to ANAROCK, homes priced above ₹1.5 crore accounted for 42 percent of new launches across India’s top seven cities in Q1 2025, underscoring a growing focus on high-value housing. This shift is being driven by both end-user aspiration and investor appetite.
Meanwhile, emerging lifestyle-oriented micro-markets like Alibaug, Goa, and Pune’s Kharadi point to a rising preference for real estate with experiential value - properties designed around wellness, mobility, and second-home potential.
The New Pillars of Premium Living
Today’s luxury buyer is more strategic and value-focused. According to the recent EY–Julius Baer Indian Family Office Playbook, capital preservation remains a key priority for around one in four family offices. However, there is increasing allocation toward asset classes like real estate and global equities, suggesting a growing appetite for long-term utility and liquidity.
Features like smart layouts, energy-efficient materials, and proximity to urban green zones are becoming non-negotiable. Developers are responding with modular architecture, digital concierge services, and wellness-enabled environments. These include private fitness areas, community gardens, spa facilities, and clean air systems. What was once an upgrade is now standard for premium living.
Case Study in Urban Luxury
Several developers are evolving their portfolios to meet new buyer expectations for livability, wellness, and design. Among the many developers participating in this evolution, Mumbai-based Hubtown Limited serves as one case study. With more than four decades of experience and a portfolio spanning over thirty million square feet, Hubtown has evolved from a builder into a placemaker with an emphasis on civic responsibility.
Projects like 25 South in Prabhadevi and 25 Downtown in Mahalaxmi or 25 West in Bandra are designed for multigenerational families and combine spectacular views with customizable plans and large floor plates. In suburbs such as Ghatkopar and Chembur, developments like Rising City and Seasons aim to deliver connectivity and community within self contained residential environments. The company is also building commercial developments at Ahmedabad and Mehsana that cater to the growing interest in commercial markets outside traditional metros.
Hubtown has also been active in social infrastructure. It executed one of Maharashtra’s first private slum rehabilitation projects under which more than ten thousand homes were delivered free of cost to eligible families. The company also developed the India’s first robotic public car park in Mumbai’s upmarket Breach Candy and helped upgrade public bus depots in Gujarat. This demonstrates how private real estate can intersect with public benefit.
Outlook: Purpose Is the New Premium
The future of India’s luxury real estate will be defined by developers who can combine adaptability, design integrity, and civic foresight. For a clientele that is both globally mobile and deeply rooted, real estate must be more than just real assets. It must deliver meaning, consistency, and long-term relevance.
Hubtown’s model, while one among many, illustrates how real estate players that understand changing buyer psychology and urban responsibility may be better positioned to navigate the next cycle of premium housing.
No VCCircle journalist was involved in the creation/production of this content.
