1 BHKs return to Mumbai's realty landscape

Rising property prices have triggered a renewed demand for smaller, more affordable 1BHK homes @Mumbai, with several developers now bundling these compact homes with larger configurations in their projects in an obvious bid to woo back buyers and reboot sales, writes Rajesh Kulkarni.

There was a time when 1BHk’s were the preferred accommodation in Mumbai, like in most Indian metros. It was a time when life was much simpler, families smaller, homes a lot cheaper and the city could easily accommodate its inhabitants. As a result most of the projects that used to dot Mumbai until 2006, featured 1BHK’s that were a guaranteed sale, with a sprinkling of bigger 2 and 3BHKs.

Three decades later, these quaint and compact 1BHks flats are making a strong comeback in amchi Mumbai, albeit for a different set of reasons altogether. A burgeoning population, crumbling infrastructure and a sharp increase in property prices across the city has ensured that bigger flats are now out of reach for a majority of buyers looking for reasonably priced accommodation in a decent location within the city.

Pushed into a corner due to sluggish sales, a direct result of the exorbitant property price tags, and a tight liquidity situation, leading developers looking for a way out are now rushing to build smaller, more affordable 1BHKs in anticipation of triggering a renewed interest among potential buyers.

The state government’s focus in recent years on encouraging affordable homes by providing developers with a range of incentives to build them has also played the role of a catalyst in the strong return made by 1BHK flats amongst a majority of new residential projects.

It’s a strategy that seems to be working with several developers acknowledging an uptick in sales and inquiries for these fast-sellers. Others like the K. Hemani Group have gone a step further and are betting big on the demand for such homes. The group has recently announced the pre-launch of their latest residential project – Uptown – off Akurli road, Kandivali (East).

Set against a green backdrop the first phase of Uptown will house 4 towers of 23 storeys each, offering a massive 700 apartments – all 1BHKs (630 sqft). The list of external amenities here include: a landscaped al fresco terrace lounge, steam room, meditation zone, clubhouse with gymnasium, volleyball, basketball and indoor games among a clutch of lifestyle amenities that promise to enliven life.

Flats here have been provided with an air-conditioner and attached bath in the master bedroom, a common washroom, vitrified flooring (living & bedroom), vitrified flooring & granite platform (kitchen), imported sanitary ware fittings and a secured entrance lobby. Added security measures in place at this project include round-the-clock CCTV surveillance to ensure safety of its residents.


The Mohan Group has also announced the unveiling of its latest residential project – Mohan Palms – at Badlapur, Navi Mumbai. The Palms is spread across 20-acres of land and features more than a 1,000 1 & 2 BHK apartments and a shopping arcade.

This unique beach-themed complex which has been designed by a leading group of architects also includes a full array of modern amenities like a clubhouse, aerobics hall, swimming pool, indoor games, squash court, Jacuzzi, stream & sauna bath and a community hall. The project is also located in close proximity to several hospitals, recreational centers, markets and educational institutions.


Darvesh Horizon, the Darvesh Group’s upcoming residential project at Dahisar, on the outskirts of the city has received the highest Platinum certification by the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council). Located near Kashimira flyover, the Horizon features approx 425 homes in the configuration 1, 2 & 3BHK apartments sized from 700-1,600 sqft and priced from INR67 lakhs to INR1.35cr.

Scheduled for completion around December 2016, the project offers a host of features designed to make life comfortable, memorable and secure for its residents. External features offered here include: kids play area, party lawn, herbal garden, acupressure pathway, water body, swimming pool, indoor games (table tennis, billiards, card room, carrom), ample parking, security cabins and solar panels.

In keeping with its Green status, Horizon also includes several eco-friendly features like a sewerage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, vermiculture bins, a ramp for senior citizens and garbage chutes in every wing.

Apartments here come furnished with vitrified flooring (80cm x 80cm), designer bathroom tiles, POP wall punning, anodized aluminium windows, premium sanitary ware, modular kitchen with water purifiers, intercom/door phones and CCTV at entry & exit points of the complex.


Nirmal Lifestyle, an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company that has built over a crore square feet of residential and commercial spaces has also announced the launch of its One Spirit luxury 1-2-3 BHK apartments at Mulund, a central Mumbai suburb.

Positioned as a project offering sports-lifestyle apartments for those seeking an active lifestyle, this project is equipped with some of the finest sporting facilities like US Open-certified tennis courts, Jacuzzi and massage zone, outdoor and indoor games, state-of-the-art gymnasium, banquet/party lawns, business centre, clubhouse, podium garden, skating rink and swimming pools.

On the interior front, apartments here are equipped with imported marble flooring (living/dining/passage), digital vitrified tiles (kitchen), anti-skid ceramic tiles (guest bathroom), polished granite (kitchen platform),heavy duty wooden laminated doors, branded SS sink (kitchen) and  heavy duty anodized aluminium windows.


Puraniks City at Thane, a township project by Puranik Builders Pvt Ltd, is spread across a 35-acre spread and offers buyers a choice between 1BHK (454-460sqft carpet area), 2BHK (631-649sqft carpet area) and 3BHK (761 sq.ft carpet area) apartments with unhindered views, open spaces and plenty of fresh air.

With Phase 1 and 2 already complete, this township project  includes a swimming pool with clubhouse, meditation kiosk, reflexology path, kids play area, senior citizens area and a amphitheatre with a grand stage.


As an added incentive for buyers, some developers are also offering a goody bag of freebies to those buying a flat at their project. The Cosmos Group which has five different residential projects @Thane, offering a choice between 1,2 and 3BHk apartments is wooing buyers with the chance to own a fully-furnished home  at Cosmos Horizon (3BHK), Cosmos Orchid (1 & 2BHK), Cosmos Jewels (1,2 &3BHK), and Cosmos Classique (2BHK).


With developers finding it increasingly difficult to find buyers for bigger apartments primarily because of the prohibitive costs involved, the idea to return to the more dependable 1BHk configuration offers a practical solution to their liquidity woes.

According to experts, with input costs showing a marked increase over the last few quarters and buyers shying away from the market, builders have had no option other than reducing the size and pricing of their products to keep them within buying reach of their customers.

However they add that with rising land and raw material costs accounting for a major part of the final pricing, buyers will have to be ready to move to fringe areas like Mira Road, Thane, Dahisar and select pockets of Navi Mumbai to realise their dream of owning a 1BHK home in Maximum city.       
(all prices mentioned herein are purely indicative)