Luxury and super-luxury residences at DLF Golf Links, DLF 5 in Gurgaon, including The Camellias, The Magnolia, and The Aralias, have seen a price increase of approximately 125 percent between 2021 and 2024.
Luxury real estate was once only desirable for opulent living spaces, but it has now become a popular investment vehicle for affluent Indians looking to make significant capital gains.
According to real estate experts, the rising demand for luxury living in the National Capital Region, particularly in Gurgaon, has led to significant growth in the market capitalization.
They stated that luxury and super-luxury residences at DLF Golf Links, DLF 5 in Gurgaon, such as The Camellias, The Magnolia, and The Aralias, experienced a 125 percent price increase between 2021 and 2024.
Demand for high-end luxury properties has increased significantly over the past decade due to homebuyers’ growing desire to invest in a place to live and a high-quality asset with good returns.
Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director and Chief Business Officer at DLF, stated the rise in wealth creation has expanded the luxury real estate market, driven by economic resilience among the affluent segments, who see real estate as not only an appreciating asset but also one with tangible and intrinsic value.
“Moreover, the interest of the Indian diaspora in investing back into the country, fueled by emotional ties, favorable currency exchange rates, and simplified investment processes, has further bolstered the demand for luxury properties,” Ohri stated.
Where do HNIs buy?
In January 2024, Smiti Agarwal, wife of Hemant Agarwal, CMD of retail giant V-Bazaar, paid Rs 95 crore for a 10,813 square-foot unit at DLF The Camellias in Gurgaon.
Similarly, in October 2023, an 11,000-square-foot apartment at The Camellias sold for Rs 114 crore. The Camellias on upscale Golf Course Road has become a popular residential development for corporate executives and start-up entrepreneurs. According to sources, the founders of at least a dozen startups have purchased luxury residencies at The Camellias.
Deep Kalra, the founder of MakeMyTrip, Sameer Manchanda of Den Networks, Aman Sharma of Boat, and entrepreneur Ashish Gurnani have all purchased super-luxury flats at DLF The Camellias.
Vasudha Rohatgi, wife of former Indian Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, paid Rs 160 crore for an 18,900-square-foot bungalow in Tony Golf Links in February 2023.
Bhanu Chopra, the founder of RateGain, paid Rs 127.5 crore for a bungalow in Golf Links that month.
According to Shashank Vashishtha, Executive Director of Exp Realty India, the market has seen significant capital appreciation due to the growing demand for luxury living in the NCR. Golf Course Road, DLF 5, and Golf Links are the top choices for HNIs and NRIs seeking luxury and ultra-luxury residencies.”
Capital Appreciation
Real estate brokers reported that super luxury residencies at DLF Golf Links, such as DLF The Aralias, have increased in price from Rs 12.5 crore in 2021 to Rs 27 crore as of JANUARY 2024. Prices in DLF The Magnilias have risen from Rs 16 crore in 2021 to Rs 35.5 crore in 2024. Similarly, prices for apartments in DLF The Camellias have skyrocketed from Rs 33-35 crore in 2021 to Rs 75 crore in 2024.
They claim that the story has been similar to other ultra-luxury properties in capital appreciation, making luxury real estate an attractive investment option for HNIs. TARC Tripundra, located opposite Pushpanjali Farms in New Delhi, has seen a 70% increase in the last 18 months, with current rates reaching 26,000 per square foot.
Siddharth S Sharma, GM of Sales at Elitepro Infra, a real estate consultancy, stated that prices in the luxury segment have skyrocketed in Gurgaon’s prime locations such as Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension, and Southern Peripheral Road. DLF sold out a luxury housing project in 72 hours, demonstrating the high demand for such residencies.
“Properties in other micro markets, such as M3M’s Trump Towers, have seen capital appreciation from an initial 10,500 PSF at launch to 30,500 PSF today. Another example is DLF’s The Crest, whose value has risen from 13,000 PSF to between 38,000 and 40,000 PSF today. These figures demonstrate that investing in luxury real estate is still viable,” he said.
Why do HNIs and NRIs invest in luxury real estate?
Sankey Prasad, Chairman, MD, India, and CMD Middle East Project Leaders at Collier’s, stated that while the US dollar’s strength against the Indian rupee attracts NRIs, capital appreciation drives HNIs to invest in the luxury residential real estate sector.
“Approximately 44 percent of high-net-worth individuals are interested in investing in luxury real estate for capital appreciation. This is significant because it encourages them to accumulate assets for future generations and use their luxury properties to generate revenue. Wealthy homebuyers are unconcerned about the 40% increase in luxury home prices over the last two ears because they believe the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will lower interest rates in 2024, making it more affordable for them to purchase such properties.”