Bangalore a global fashion hub?

FASHION: Karnataka ready with 50 acres to bag the prestigious project.
A melting pot of styles and influences from countries across the globe; a dazzling boutique for international visitors to enjoy the latest trends in fashion from hair-bands, shoes andlates bags to apparel and jewellery; immense business opportunities for manufacturers, sellers and designers; an excellent platform for students to get hands-on experience in the fashion industry. Visualise all this under one roof and what may come to your mind is the international fashion hub in Hong Kong or that in Paris. Well, hold on. As we ready for another season of fashion, here is some news for the brand conscious and the fashion savvy to cheer. If the government of Karnataka has its way, the days are not far when Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, will join the line of these cities with the ‘world boutique’ tag.
In its continued endeavour to sell ‘Brand Bangalore’ to the international community, the government of Karnataka is learnt to be vying for the international fashion hub status, for which Delhi is also in the race.
Since quite some time, the Centre is keen on setting up an international fashion hub in the country. Delhi has shown interest in the project. However, due to the lack of suitable land, the project has not yet taken off. Meanwhile, the government of Karnataka, which has got suitable land in its possession, is trying to grab this opportunity, sources in the state government told.
Considering a proposal to push for the international fashion hub status to Bangalore, the government of Karnataka has conceded to make an initial allotment of 50 acres of land for the project, as against the requirement of 100 acres. The land is situated at the state-developed Doddaballapur apparel park in the outskirts of Bangalore. Due to its proximity to the new international airport and NH-2, the land is ideally located for the project, said a government official.
The detailed project report is under preparation. Once the report is ready, the state will take it forward to the Centre and will try to sell the idea ahead of any other state, the official said.
The fashion hub is envisaged to involve an investment of Rs 500 crore, to begin with. Grants and investments will be sought from the Centre, respective state governments and other stakeholders. The idea is to seek representation from all states of the country to showcase their specialty products. World-class restaurants, hotels, convention halls and many other facilities will feature in the fashion hub. It will be a one-stop solution for brands, suppliers, manufacturers, designers and models from all corners of the world.
Bangalore is fast emerging as an important sourcing hub for international top brands in apparel and accessories. There are more than 2,000 textile and garment units in Bangalore. The city is also the silk capital of India accounting for about 50 per cent of country’s silk output. Bangalore has also achieved fame for its gold and diamond jewellery. Being an IT/BT hub, and a medical tourist destination, the city attracts people from different countries. All these factors, along with the pleasant climate strongly favour Bangalore’s development into a fashion hub, feel designers and style experts.
About 30 companies have bought land in the Doddaballapur apparel park and a few of them, including Everblue Apparel Ltd, Bombay Rayon, Himatsingka Seide, and Amtek industries, have already moved in. The park is spread across 187 acres and the government is planning to go ahead with the second phase of expansion. However, there are several infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before any expansion takes place, say industry experts.

The Luxury Quotient

Luxury homes continue to dazzle in the wake of robust demand and keen investor
interest. check out some of the top offerings in the country
EVEN in the midst of low sentiments haunting the real estate sector, there is one segment that is totally unfazed by it all. Luxury homes continue to dazzle in the face of robust demand and keen investor interest in the segment. Royal offerings doled out one after the other by real estate
developers show that at least one buyer category has remained as loyal as before — the luxe home buyer. SundayET commissioned a survey to global real estate consultancy Cushman and Wakefield (C&W) to find out some top-of-the-line luxury offerings coming up in the five major cities of
Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.
And here’s what they found. While the new luxury apartments in Delhi-NCR were valued at over Rs 10 crore, in Mumbai it easily crossed the 20 crore mark for a 4 BHK. It also found that among the new constructions around the National Capital Region (NCR), properties in Gurgaon commanded a premium, while sea-facing locations in the financial hub attracted the richie rich. Lavelle Road in Central Bangalore was much sought after as a luxury buy. And while Spanish villas in Hyderabad made an opulent statement, it were the spacious independent houses in Chennai that were the new luxury abode. In the survey, they included both projects which have been announced recently or the ones which though announced earlier, were only getting ready now.
Delhi NCR, in itself has at least seven extremely high-end projects. Top corporate honchos, expatriates and high networth individuals (HNIs) dominate DLF’s Magnolias located in DLF Phase V, Gurgaon. The apartments, which will be ready in 1-2 years can go up to a whopping Rs 10 crore with the average size of an apartment at roughly 5,500-10,000 sq ft. Attractive rental potential and substantial increase in capital values since 2005, the locational advantage of the golf course and improved connectivity via the operational Delhi–Jaipur 8-lane super expressway are some of the USPs of this project. Says Rajeev Talwar, executive group director, “Luxury apartments are taken up by actual users so demand will always remain.... Anyone who is buying such an apartment does so keeping a variety of factors in mind. Moreover, these are bought by those who have a surplus.”
Another project in Gurgaon, Ambience Group’s upscale Caitriona project, located in Ambi City NH-8 Gurgaon, will be coming up in 2-3 years and is priced at a royal 8 crore plus tag. Boasting of sevenstar living, it is located amidst the 150-acre Ambience Island premium integrated township.
Caitriona offers limited condominiums for a select few. A great golf course view, super premium international designing and complete furnishing for a readyto-live-in condominium, Caitriona flaunts snob value all the way.
Vipin Agrawal, executive director of Omaxe, feels that the current market scenario will have little effect on this segment. “Luxury homes are always in demand. Top CEOs and businessmen are the main occupants here. Hence, whatever be the market dynamics, there will always be an active demand for such projects.” The realtor has a luxury project, The Forest, adjoining the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, which sold for Rs 6,500/sq ft.
Spectacular views of the sea in the financial capital of Mumbai was seen as the sign of exclusivity and beauty. Lodha group’s Lodha Solitaire project offers just that on Napean Sea Road in South Mumbai, wherein each apartment offers a tranquil view. High-end amenities such as a mini theatre and an infinity-edge swimming pool further add to the glam quotient. Another project by the same developer, the 48-storey Lodha Bellissimo project features private pools, gardens, private staircases at a starting price of 8 crore for a 3BHK apartment!
However, it is the villas in Bangalore and Hyderabad that come through as a plush buy. Lavelle Road in Bangalore was found to be a much sought after address. Villas in Purva Grande located on Lavelle Road, Central Bangalore are commanding a premium owing to their strategic location. With prices starting at Rs 10 crore, the villas are replete with all leisurely comforts, including terrace pools and gardens. Occupants in another project on Lavelle Road — Mantri Altius by Mantri Developers were chosen personally by the realtor based on factors such as similar interests and non-competing businesses. The 17-floor super premium apartment occupies a built-up area of 85,000 sq ft in a prime locality in the city. Each apartment boasts of a 360-degree view of the city and security arrangements include biometric sensors, sirens and proximity cards. No wonder that the 5,000-6,000 sq ft apartments are in the range of Rs 10 crore upwards.
It’s a touch of Spain in Hyderabad that makes for some royal living. Spanish luxury villas Casa Estebana, developed by Koncept Ambience, are located in Kompally which is witnessing significant residential development primarily in the villa category. With prices starting at Rs 6.5 crore and
going up to Rs 17 crore, unique facilities such as a personal grooming centre, specialty restaurant, manicured landscaping with tree-lined streets and amphitheatre make it exclusive enough. An artificial lake with marine life and natural habitat for birds connect you with nature.
Chennai is no different. And as if taking the nature theme forward, Vijayshanthi Builders’ Raintree project in Alwarpet area in Central Chennai priced upwards of Rs 3 crore, features well landscaped surroundings with large water bodies. A skating rink, multi-purpose hall, water bodies and a
covered car park are some of the other elaborate amenities on offer here.
Besides luxury apartments, independent houses in Boat Club, Venus Colony, Poes Garden, Kotturpuram are preferred luxury residential areas.
Capital values range between Rs 15,000 per sq ft and Rs 25,000 per sq ft, with sizes above 4000-6000 sq ft. Tucked away from heavy traffic, these areas offer serene living. Spacious gardens, barbecue corners, entertainment areas in the garden and patios are additional features making these
houses much sought after. Majestic and palatial — these luxury residences are a dream buy. Exquisite facilities and charming decor basics makes them absolutely priceless.