From
a real estate perspective, there are changes in Thane’s skyline which are
apparent: it is now bigger, better and beautiful. Where will Thane’s real
estate reach, as 2016 moves into high gear?
From
stand-alone, plain vanilla structures to lifestyle-plus homes in exclusive
complexes that offer amenities on par with international trends – Thane has
evolved in the last couple of decades. Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
(MMR), it is among the fastest growing urban conglomerations, if not the one
clocking the fastest growth. As towering structure soar into the sky, Thane’s
homes offer decks where residents can commune with nature: when it comes to
leveraging the positives of nature and environment, Thane’s developers have
been ‘on target, every time’.
As
projects continue to draw residents from across Mumbai and the suburbs, Thane’s
real estate needs to chart out its future. True, it has grown from a
multi-dimensional residential location which had the promise of becoming a
self-sufficient city. It has been true to its potential, and then some more,
and going into the future, will we see it fulfilling the potential of becoming
a truly Global City?
There
is one aspect of being ‘blessed by nature’ in form of an ideal environment -
consider the Ulhas River and the Yeoor Hills and the awesome views they offer –
and then, look at the sort of real estate product which is required to match
these.
Being in close proximity to
nature requires ushering in a new level of residential realty, one which can
provide all this, and then, ‘convenient living’ for residents. In that sense,
when we look at Thane’s skyline and consider the projects and what they offer,
one might say the city has more than fulfilled the potential it showed in the
late 1990s. The question is, what potential does Thane have for the 2020s and
2030s?
As a Global City in the making,
Thane has one advantage: the existing Mumbai airport and the new (Navi Mumbai)
airport which is coming up are both situated in neighbouring cities, so the
negatives will not accrue to the city – but, thanks to excellent connectivity,
the advantages will. It does make for an accurate assumption that Thane’s
future will probably be written on linkages that enhance connectivity and in
effect, bring in ‘speed’ to linkages with neighbouring cities. Flyovers which
will provide expressways with quicker access, Metro and Mono Rail linkages
which will supplement the existing suburban railway network to make Thane well
networked – all things better will happen once these speedier linkages become a
reality.
So, what sort of homes will be
required, for the home seekers who will come on the ‘fast track’? For one, it
will not be ‘affordable living’ alone. From a time when real estate in Thane
was seen, from a developer’s perspective as having ‘triple potential’ –
affordability, accessibility and ambience – now it seems all set to morph to
luxury, life-style and leisure.
The
new wave of residential real estate in thane spells ‘luxury’ with a capital
‘L’, and projects that offer all the amenities that one expected in high-end
projects in Mumbai are being not just matched, but bettered. Thane residential
realty has gone one-up on whatever Mumbai could offer in terms of amenities and
facilities, it has already encompassed larger sized apartments which
essentially, are ‘palaces in the sky’.
Let
us look back, at the period gone by - in terms of ‘affordability’ Thane’s
residential real estate has delivered to its potential – it offers homes
to suit all. In terms of accessibility, it is probably the most centrally
located residential conglomeration, easily accessible from South Mumbai,
Western Suburbs, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi and Panvel – Thane is also the nodal
point for neighbouring cities like Nasik, Pune or Surat. Coming to ‘ambience’,
it has all aspects of urban living while not compromising on space, quality of
life and culture. And all this is backed by vision of Local Authorities --
Thane has more than stood up to the expectations of developers and also the
common man – and, it has a bright future as well. Developers look forward to
working to the city’s potential and planning projects that will meet the
expectations of home seekers in 2020 and 2030. Thane has excellent development
in certain pockets and locations - Pokharan and Ghodbunder Road are examples.
And, there is a vast land bank yet to be developed, which offers immense scope
for future development. The need is to plan Thane’s skyline in a manner that is
‘future perfect’.
Present-day,
we see that Thane’s skyline is undergoing a paradigm shift – from a time when
projects offered homes that were ‘value for money’, now it is a race to provide
the best. Thane projects are being considered as the ‘next home’ by home
seekers from south Mumbai as also NRIs returning to India, and the residential
realty offerings are keeping pace with what a Global city should offer.
Residential projects in
Thane now offer ‘global themes’ which is touted as being a logical sequence in
the evolution of Thane’s residential real estate. From the time when
Hiranandani Meadows offered global design and architecture which made Thane go
‘wow!’ to developments like Neelkanth Project in Pokharan II which offered a
swimming pool in its club house which looked like an extension of the Upvan
Lake or the Neelkanth Villa project which offered the type of homes that hadn’t
been seen before, each phase has spelt, ‘evolution’. Present day, Thane
projects offer themes that are global in nature – which most real estate
experts say is ‘logical’. Home seekers in 2016 want something beyond four walls
and a ceiling with a floor – they want a theme, and in the high-end segment,
this is something that Thane’s developers are only too happy to provide.
In 2016, Thane’s themed projects incorporate an interesting interplay
of high and mid-rise towers that weave in the elements of nature. In these new
global themed projects, towers are planned so that they have cool air funnelled
to homes, east - west orientation to maximize light and energy, verdant
landscaped gardens, sun shading to keep the heat out, azure blue swimming pools
and lots more. These projects offer ‘luxe’ apartments with globally themed
amenities such as fully air-conditioned homes, agglomerated marble, club houses,
and so on. The global aspect is best underscored by themed landscape that
underscores the elements.
Theme based projects are becoming
a new trend in Thane, and that is helping the city to create an identity on a
global platform. As an example, consider the project Rumah Bali, which is
conceptualized on Balinese theme which is targeted at the fastest growing
number of discerning home buyers, who seek best of international class concept
and construction.
Thane projects have taken to
global themes, given that home seekers want something new and different from
what is been provided by Thane’s developers presently.
Thane
has performed to its potential, but what of its future? One looks forward to
the skyline of 2020 an 2030 – and, considering that it has fulfilled potential
so far, it will definitely continue to do so.
