Weekend Homes: Your Home, Away From Home

For the longest time, weekend homes were thought to be the exclusive preserve of the rich and famous, only to be looked upon with awe by the aam janta. But not anymore. Higher disposable incomes, coupled with the many stresses of life in a metro have ensured that weekend homes are fast gaining in both popularity and acceptance.

A fact borne out by the ever increasing number of weekend home projects launched pan-India in recent years by a host of reputed builders.

From the traditional favourites like Lonavala, Mahableshwar and Matheran to upcoming destinations like Shahpur, Alibaug, Igatpuri and Karjat, weekend homes also popularly referred to as ‘second homes’, are now more the norm than the exception among buyers looking for that quick weekend getaway where they can unwind and refocus on their work schedule in the week ahead.

A fact readily agreed to by Avinash Deshmukh, a Mumbai-based senior banking professional with an MNC bank who recently purchased a weekend abode at an upcoming bungalow scheme at Lonavala. “For me it was a long cherished dream that came true,” he acknowledges. “I was on the lookout for a quick getaway, within driving distance from Mumbai, where I could spend some quality time with myself and my family.

“It also made huge sense to me from an investment point of view,” he adds. “It’s a beautiful bungalow in a gated community, which I got for a good price. I may even move there, once I retire from my professional life in the next eight to ten years, alternately I always have the option of selling it and making a good profit.”

Senior corporate executives like Deshmukh form part of the ideal buyer profile for developers with weekend home projects, who are also targeting HNI’s, businessmen, celebrities, professionals, top corporate honchos and other salaried individuals with high disposable incomes.

The escalation in demand for such projects in recent years has spurred leading developers to launch an array of projects that cater to every whim and fancy of potential buyers and investors alike.

Some of the key projects catering to this segment include Kalpataru’s Amoda Reserve – Phase 1, at Kune village, Lonavala. Situated only about 15 minutes away from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway exit at Khandala, Amoda Reserve offers a choice between exquisite 3, 4 and 5BHK luxury villas, ranging from 2638 sq.ft. to 7300 sq.ft, spread across 60 acres of lush green land with the Sahyadri mountains forming the perfect backdrop.
Designed by the world renowned Singapore-based architect eco id, 37 acres of the project is reserved exclusively for the natural and designed landscape (by Buregga Farnell, Singapore). The project also features several modern amenities including a fitness center/gym, park, swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi and a yoga center.

Key landmarks close to this project include: Della Resorts, Della Adventure, Signature crest hotel, Summer Hills and the scenic Kune waterfalls. While Phase 1 of this project is slated for completion by 2017, the complete project is expected to be ready by 2020-2021.

For those looking to buy a weekend home at a project fast nearing completion, Puranik’s Sayama, slated for completion in December 2015, is a potential option. The project offers elegant 3 and 4BHK row villas, measuring 1776- 2485 sq.ft. at Sahyadri Nagar, Jalvaayu Marg (Lonavala).

Priced from approx INR Rs 1.70 Cr (indicative) onwards, each villa comes with easy access to an array of premium amenities that include a tennis court, basketball court, yoga & meditation center and plush lawns on a blanket of green among many others.

For those who prefer to have a home by the sea, The Serenes at Alibaug (Raigadh), makes perfect sense. A project by Mahindra Lifespaces, The Serenes is your chance to breathe a whiff of the fresh sea air, even hunt for shells in the moist sand or perhaps listen closely to the calls of sea birds from the comforts of your living room.

Accessible via an hour’s commute by boat from the Gateway of India, or a two-hour commute by road, this project is spread across 12 pristine acres. On offer are 46 handsome units of 3BHK and 4BHK courtyard and patio villas, surrounded by nature in all its glory just 0.7 km from the famous Alibaug beach.

The list of facilities on offer here include: clubhouse, golf course, gym, meditation center, swimming pool, kids play area, restaurant and a landscaped garden/park. Under development currently, this project is scheduled for completion in 2017.

One of the rare weekend home projects which also serves as the first home for a slew of buyers including a growing list of Bollywood personalities is Raheja Universal’s Raheja Exotica – Phase 3, at Madh Island, Malad West. The first obvious advantage of a buying a home at Exotica is it has the ambience of a star resort at a beachside location (think Goa), inspite of being bang in the middle of Mumbai. Perfect for those averse to moving out of the city, Exotica is an isle de calma (isle of calm), courtesy the many pristine beaches and resorts that dot this area, to many of its permanent residents and those who drive down from the city for the weekend.

Easily accessible via a short 10-minute boat ride from Versova jetty or a 20-minute drive from Malad link road, the ongoing Phase 3 of this project offers a choice between studio, 1/2/3 & 4BHK apartments, measuring 555-2750 sq.ft., priced at INR 60 lakhs onwards.

Buyers can look forward to a slew of modern amenities here that will include: a café, clubhouse, gym, outdoor theatre, party hall, garden, swimming pool, tennis court and an efficient maintenance and security personnel.

On the interiors front, the developers have provided vitrified flooring (in all rooms), powder-coated/PVDF aluminium sliding windows, flush doors with SS fittings, granite kitchen counter with stainless steel sink, water purifier, boilers in all bathrooms and stand alone video door phones, in addition to a host other resident-friendly features. The project which is currently under development is slated for completion in 2018.

And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the demand for weekend homes is sure to zoom thanks to the increasing number of people like Avinash Deshmukh, embarking on a serious search for their dream getaway, away from the prying eyes of the world.