DSR Infrastructure Elegance

Shelter for all

Believing in a professional work culture, Lok Housing has been a trendsetter in many respects, feels Lalit Gandhi

SUCHITA PATIL

Operational since 1982, Lok Housing has been in the real estate industry for the past two-and-ahalf decades and has built over 18,000 homes from residential complexes, townships, simple flats to premium and luxury homes. Lalit Gandhi, Chairman and Managing Director, Lok Housing, says, "Lok Housing was started with the principle that any act of the company must serve the masses. Hence the name 'Lok Housing', providing shelter for all."

From giving a corporate outlook to real estate, and venturing into mass housing, the group has introduced the concept of using land development rights as a mode of securitisation for raising finance. "Construction was a family business. We introduced the trend of a professional working organisation," says Gandhi.

The group developed 10-12 singular projects from 1982-86 and then moved into townships. The group has three township projects, Lok Puram, Lok Upvan, Lok Vruksha in Thane, Lok Gram, Lok Ahura, Lok Vatika, Lok Udyan, Lok Surabhi and Lok Ulhas, under construction in Kalyan along with Lok Nagari in Ambarnath. They have projects at Mulund, Khar, Virar, Kalyan, Thane, Andheri, and Ambarnath.

Lalit Gandhi opines, "The demand for affordable housing is tremendous. With the current speed of construction, it is impossible to cater to the demand. There is a need of a professional organisation with proper development of utility schemes like SRA, reconstruction of dilapidated buildings to ensure development in an organised manner. "In addition, efficient use of technology is the need of the hour. We have been using pre-fabricated technology for construction. Use of advanced technologies brings speed, accuracy and quality in construction," he continues.

In order to cater to the growing housing need Gandhi feels, "The development of the city must be planned sectorally. The city should be divided into 300-400 sectors by a corporate Joint Venture company City Planning and Monitoring Company (CPMC) to seek expertise from the government; as well private sector experts to have a holistic approach towards solving housing problems which will progress under Sector by Sector Development Scheme (SSDS). The government should play the role of facilitator. It should see that proper rules and regulation are maintained, development plans are ready in time so that construction activity is speeded up."

Over the years, the buyer has become very selective and wants to enjoy every kind of luxury. Mr Gandhi feels, "Apart from the four walls, the outside ambience also matters. There should be a proper balance between exterior and interior amenities. We give stress on open layouts, green spaces, community halls, auditorium, play area, gardens along with eco-friendly techniques such as waste management, storm water management, use of solar water heater and water harvesting."

The group has also been into social activities. Lok Foundations, registered under Charitable Trust Act has started three schools, which are taken care by the Group, and has donated a hospital that is running through a trust.

Lalit Gandhi is also Chairman of Remaking of Mumbai Federation (ROMF), which works for redevelopment of dilapidated buildings, with open spaces, residential complexes, commercial hubs and retail centers. This will help Mumbai become a world- class city and will be built on extra FSI and costs will be cross- subsidised on profits earned from extra FSI. Gandhi is a visionary and believes in transforming vision into reality.

( Via - Times of India )

One of the emerging lifestyle destinations Kanjurmarg

With the arrival of new malls and residential housing complexes, Kanjurmarg is gaining a lot of attention. From a quaint suburb to a lifestyle destination, Kanjurmarg has become one of the emerging residential destinations.

Located on the Central Railway, Kanjurmarg is the access point for IIT Mumbai, KV IIT Powai, NITIE, Hiranandani Gardens, and other landmarks in Powai. A small suburb on the Thane creek, Kanjurmarg has seen all-round growth with increasing standards of living, better opportunities, favourable residential options and more. The station was built in 1968 andnamed after the Kanjur village.

Realising the hidden potential of the area, leading developers are launching their high-profile projects in Kanjurmarg, giving emphasis on lifestyle amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, ample greenery, landscaped gardens, shopping arcades and much more. Stylish exteriors with ultra-modern interior amenities have become attractions. Modular kitchens, Italian flooring, jacuzzis, gyms have become a part of every project. This entire new way of living is attracting a different profile of buyers in Kanjurmarg.

The Lodha Group has currently launched their lifestyle project Lodha Aurum in Kanjurmarg. R. Karthik, Senior VP- Marketing, Lodha Group, says, “Lodha Aurum, a luxury residential project by Lodha Group combines a distinctive design with immaculate planning. It is well-equipped with a world-class gym, sky lounge for parties, a spa, a business centre, meeting room and wi-fi enabled garden enclosures, spacious air-conditioned interiors and the finest fittings and finishes, high-speed elevators, home automation systems, swipe card access to lobbies and elevators, a stylish lobby on each floor with 24-hour security.

Located in the heart of Mumbai, Kanjurmarg is one of the most sought after ‘business districts’. Kanjurmarg houses the best retail outlets, schools and hospitals, not to forget the presence of iThink Techno Campus as well as a retail plaza.”

Gopal Sharma, GM, marketing, Gundecha Builders, says, “We have developed a few projects in Kanjurmarg like Gundecha Heights and Gundecha Altura. Kanjurmarg is a calm and quaint suburb with close vicinity to LBS Road that provides ease of commuting. The area has seen a lot of development due to many industries shifting their base here. New commercial projects are coming up here. Kanjurmarg has a cosmopolitan crowd with buyers from different segments buying property here. Our projects are located close to the station with facilities such as quality interiors, swimming pool, advanced security systems like video door phones and much more.”

Proximity to elite Powai is another advantage for Kanjurmarg. Swanky shopping arcades, trendy eating joints and other entertainment options are merely a short walk away. Outlets like Galleria, Haiko, D-Mart, Go Karting, Hakone Mini-Golf, Hakone Gaming at Hiranandani Gardens, Huma Mall in Kanjurmarg (west) along with Magnet Mall and Neptune Mall are located nearby. Public places such as Ambedkar Garden, Nirvana Park, Hiranandani Park, Naval Civilian Housing Colony garden are also in the area.

Along with entertainment, the suburb is well-connected and self-sufficient in terms of facilities such as schools, colleges and others. Schools and colleges located in Kanjurmarg and near Powai are accessible from here. Indian Education Society's Marathi Medium School, St. Francis Xavier High School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya, IIT Powai, IIT Campus School, IIT Powai, St. Xavier's High School and Junior College, Powai English High School, Hiranandani Foundation School, Powai, Bombay Scottish School, Matoshree Kasturben Thakkar Vidyalaya, Dnyandeep Vidya Mandir are some of the prime educational institutes in this location.

The Indian Institute of Technology, SJMSOM, IIT Campus Junior College, St. Xavier's High School and Junior College, Kanjurmarg (west), DAV Bhandup are the colleges here.

Priya Ghatkar, a resident of Kanjurmarg east says, “The best thing about Kanjurmarg is the peace and calmness it provides. The markets are close by, not overcrowded, and pollution is less. Even the airport is close by. Now the area has changed. Buildings have replaced chawls, corporate parks have lined up near the station. The area has good educational facilities along with shopping areas, parks, and hospitals in close vicinity.”

Property consultant Ashok Kumar, MD, Cresa Partners, says, “Kanjurmarg is located on the Central line and enjoys good connectivity to both Harbour as well as Western lines. With a number of malls coming up here, the infrastructure has also seen a rapid change. Closer access to city limits as well daily utility areas in and around Kanjurmarg ensures good value projects within a good price range. Besides the emrging retail and commercial spaces, the connectivity to LBS Road and Vikhroli is also improving.”

With the construction of Vikhroli-Jogeshwari Link Road and Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, there is a spurt in construction activity in these areas. Infrastructure and connectivity will get even better with the completion of Phase 1 of the Mumbai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), which connects Versova and Andheri on the western side to Ghatkopar on the eastern. In addition, the plans of six-laning the central railway tracks from Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus to Thane are also expected to ease the train commute on the eastern suburbs.

Kanjurmarg’s strategic central location, graced with excellent infrastructure and connectivity, is attracting prospective buyers, making it one of the most sought after locations.

( Via - Times of India )

PROPERTY EXPO in Bangalore

Everybody is cursing recession as it resulted into slowdown in market. But, have you ever realized that there is always some positive aspect behind every off-putting phase. Recession has changed the point of views of consumers, lenders and developers as well. Consumers became more cautious during spending their saved money. On the other hand developers shifted their focus towards low cost housing.

Recession has made tremendous changes in real estate, various real estate giants showed interest in housing for middle class people rather than building a huge complex. Investors may seem to be winners with recession giving them an opportunity to pick. A ripple effect of this scenario is the increased demand for quality housing.

Learning from this, Times Property - a Times of India initiative, is organizing "Home Affairs" on 24th & 25th October 2009 at The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore to focus on providing better accessibility of homes to citizens of Bangalore. The objective of this mega scale exhibition is to showcase Bangalore as a preferred destination for better real estate opportunities. Through this event, we endeavor to create a platform for all constituents of housing sector to come under one roof and exhibit their products during the two day event.

And when it comes to a range of housing options, the city's realty scene has a wide choice on offer. From flats to villas and gated properties, there's something for every home-seeker. Home Affairs, the mega property exhibition, presented by Times Property, offers just the opportunity for home buyers to make that all-important decision. Because the expo will have builders and housing finance institutions coming together under one roof, at the same time, to display their products and services. Reason enough for future home owners to home in on Home Affairs.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Overview of the cityscape

• Showcase of residential products in city

• Range of housing options on show

• Opportunity to compare all residential options at the same time

• Insight into the top-of line amenities and features these homes offer

• Face-to-face interaction with builders and developers

• On-the-spot information pertaining to documents and procedures from financial institutions

• Banks and financial institutions offering their housing loan products

• Information regarding loan eligibility, home loan options, EMI etc

• Opportunity to make an informed decision

( via - Times of India )

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