Tag: Gurugram

Categories
Leaders

Berkshire Hathaway VC buys ₹85-cr apartment in Gurugram

Ajit Jain, Vice-Chairman of insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway, has acquired a super-luxury apartment worth around ₹85 crore in Gurugram, in one of the country’s most exclusive residential developments, DLF Camellias.

The apartment, spread across roughly 7,400 square feet, is part of a gated community known for its high-end amenities, privacy and strong security. Sources indicated that Jain was recently in India to complete the transaction. The purchase places him among a growing list of global Indian business leaders and ultra-high-net-worth individuals investing in premium homes in the National Capital Region.

The deal highlights the continued boom in India’s luxury housing segment, particularly in Gurugram, which has emerged as a preferred destination for high-value real estate investments. Industry observers say the city has seen a sharp rise in sales of homes priced above ₹10 crore over the past year, driven by strong demand from top executives, entrepreneurs and non-resident Indians.

Real estate experts note that many wealthy buyers now prefer luxury condominiums in integrated townships over independent houses. Such projects offer managed services, lifestyle facilities, and the convenience of a secure lock-and-leave format for owners who live abroad but visit India periodically.

Non-resident Indians account for a significant share of purchases in projects like The Camellias, with buyers largely coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Middle East. Apart from lifestyle considerations, these properties are increasingly seen as long-term investments and a base in India amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Jain is regarded as one of the most influential Indian-origin executives in global finance and a key aide to legendary investor Warren Buffett. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and Harvard Business School, he joined Berkshire Hathaway in 1986 and built its reinsurance operations into a major profit centre.

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Categories
Beyond

Gurugram tops Mumbai with ₹24,000 cr ultra-luxury home sales

Gurugram has overtaken Mumbai to become India’s largest market for ultra-luxury homes, signalling a major shift in the country’s high-end property landscape. Homes priced at ₹10 crore and above saw record sales in the NCR city in 2025, both in terms of value and the number of units sold.

According to a recent industry report, Gurugram registered sales of around 1,494 ultra-luxury homes worth more than ₹24,000 crore during the year. This pushed it ahead of Mumbai, which has traditionally dominated the premium housing segment. The sharp rise highlights growing demand for spacious, high-end homes among wealthy buyers, including top executives, entrepreneurs and non-resident Indians.

Real estate experts say the trend is being driven by several factors. Gurugram offers larger apartments and villas, modern gated communities, and newer projects with luxury amenities. Compared to Mumbai, buyers also get more space at a relatively lower price per square foot. Improved infrastructure, proximity to Delhi, and the presence of major corporate offices have further boosted the city’s appeal.

Developers have responded with branded residences, penthouses and high-rise luxury projects, many of which were sold even before completion. Strong interest from NRI investors and high-income professionals has helped maintain steady demand despite high property prices.

Mumbai, while moving to second place, continues to see strong traction in its premium micro-markets such as South Mumbai and parts of the western suburbs. However, limited land availability and higher costs have made large luxury developments more challenging compared to Gurugram.

The report notes that the overall ultra-luxury housing segment in India is expanding rapidly, reflecting rising wealth and a post-pandemic preference for bigger, more exclusive homes.

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Categories
Corporate

Swiggy’s Instamart opens first mini-offline store in Gurugram

Swiggy’s quick-commerce platform, Instamart, is trying something new. For the first time, it has opened a small offline store in Gurugram, giving customers a chance to browse and pick products in person rather than just ordering through the app. The store is located at M3M 65th Avenue and is about 400 square feet, much smaller than Instamart’s usual dark stores that stock thousands of items.

The offline store carries a limited selection of 100–200 products, focusing on items that people often like to check physically before buying, fresh fruits and vegetables, daily essentials, new product launches, private-label items, and select D2C brands. Customers can see the quality, compare products, and get a feel for them before deciding to purchase.

Unlike traditional retail stores, this outlet is seller-operated under the Instamart brand. This means sellers directly receive the sales proceeds, instead of money going through the app’s usual transaction process. It also helps Swiggy test the concept without heavy operational investment.

The move comes at a time when India’s quick commerce sector is evolving. Companies like Instamart have grown popular for ultra-fast deliveries, but now they are exploring ways to build stronger connections with customers. By opening an offline store, Instamart aims to combine the convenience of online shopping with the trust and experience of physical retail.

For now, this is just a pilot store, and there’s no plan to open many more immediately. Swiggy will see how customers respond before deciding the next steps. If successful, more experience stores could appear, offering a unique way to shop while still enjoying the speed and convenience of quick commerce.