From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for Rs 1.04 billion. What is the vision for this project?Boisar is a key micro-market within the MMR and its strategic location makes it a prime destination for future growth. Just 100 km from Mumbai, it offers uninterrupted connectivity to Mumbai, with major economic hubs like Ahmedabad and Surat within easy reach. The region is further witnessing significant infrastructure advancements, including the upcoming Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, which will further accelerate economic activity and drive real-estate demand. With this project, our vision is to create a thriving, well-connected community through plotted development that perfectly aligns with our long-term growth strategy. The company has an established presence in the MMR, NCR and Bengaluru. Are there plans to expand into other emerging cities or Tier-II markets?At Birla Estates, our commitment extends beyond luxury to embrace a vision of residences that not only epitomise opulence but also champion a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. We have chosen to operate in the top four key markets (MMR/NCR/Bengaluru/Pune) with a focus on the premium and luxury housing segments. We aim to be among the top developers in each of these micro-markets in the next few years.With over 20 million sq ft of ongoing residential projects, what are some of the key projects in this portfolio and their timelines for completion?Birla Estates has an extensive portfolio of ongoing residential projects spanning key metropolitan markets, including MMR, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Pune, confirming its commitment to premium and luxury developments.MMRWorli: Our flagship luxury project, Birla Niyaara, is an ultra-luxury residential offering in the heart of Mumbai’s Worli locality. Ideally situated between Mumbai's bustling commercial hubs at Nariman Point and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), this architectural marvel ensures residents enjoy unparalleled connectivity. With its strategic location near the upcoming Worli-Sewri connector and access to the upcoming trans-harbour link, travel convenience reaches new heights. The project is planned to be developed in multiple phases, with each phase spanning approximately five to seven years.Kalyan: Birla Vanya, is a remarkable residential project nestled in the serene and picturesque locale of Kalyan that offers a harmonious blend of nature and modern living. The project combines the convenience of urban amenities with the serenity of natural surroundings. The project is completed and deliveries are in progress.BENGALURUWhitefield: Birla Alokya is a luxurious project located in Whitefield in the eastern part of Bangalore. This project offers an exemplary lifestyle with the privilege to live in serene surroundings with unmatched facilities. The villament development type for this project amplifies our focus on the simplistic charm of old Bengaluru while providing customers with new-age amenities. The project is completed and handovers are in progress. RR Nagar: Birla Ojasvi is a landmark residential project offering modern living spaces with eco-friendly features. Sprawling across 10.23 acre in the vibrant locale of Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru, it offers 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments to experience high-rise living in the city. The project is expected to be completed by early 2031.Rajajinagar: Birla Tisya, a splendid high-rise residential venture, is strategically positioned across an expansive 4.7 acre in the heart of Bengaluru, in the prestigious locale of Rajajinagar. The project is slated for completion soon in alignment with our commitment to timely delivery.Devanahalli: Birla Trimaya comprises three distinct phases – The Hill, The Park and The Bay – and is a one-of-a-kind gated community spanning 51 acre in Devanahalli. The project, which is being jointly developed by Birla Estates and MSR Realty, will be delivered in a phased manner with the first phase starting delivery in FY29.Sarjapur: Birla Evara Sarjapur is a premium residential development offering a modern and luxurious lifestyle. Located in a strategic location, it features high-rise towers with 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK, and 4 BHK configurations. The project was launched this year and is expected to be completed in the next six to seven years.NCR Gurugram: Birla Navya is a township project of premium residences spread across 47+ acre and five individual pockets. Located in Sector 63A, Golf Course Extension, Avik (Phase 2) at Birla Navya presents exclusive 3 and 4 BHK low-rise premium floor residences with access to 30+ lifestyle amenities, offering the perfect blend of privacy, comfort and modern living. The project will be delivered in a phased manner as per RERA timelines. Gurugram: Birla Arika is an exclusive residential development that offers thoughtfully designed 4BHK homes in the heart of Gurugram. We have commenced handovers for the project.PUNESangamwadi: Birla Punya is a premium residential offering embracing the legacy of Pune's storied past with an exclusive development where heritage meets modernity. Nestled within 5 acre of pristine land, this sanctuary invites you to experience the essence of the city’s rich heritage with spacious 2, 3, and 4 BHK homes. The first phase of the project was launched this year and subsequent phases will be launched and delivered in a planned and sequential manner.With the increasing integration of technology in real estate, does Birla Estates have plans to diversify into data centres?At present, Birla Estates has no plans to diversify into the data centre segment. Our current strategic focus is firmly on scaling our residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across key urban and high-growth emerging markets. We are also actively entering the redevelopment space, which offers a compelling avenue to acquire marquee land parcels in built-out city centres.How is Birla Estates integrating sustainable practices, such as green certifications and eco-friendly designs, across its projects?At Birla Estates, sustainability is at the core of our development philosophy. We are committed to integrating green practices, eco-friendly designs and environmentally responsible construction techniques across all our projects. Green certifications and standards: We comply with globally recognised environmental standards and actively pursue green building certifications for our projects, including Platinum Pre-Certification from the US Green Building Council for Birla Niyaara. Additionally, we integrate advanced techniques to enhance indoor air quality, fostering a healthier and more comfortable living environment for our residents. Energy and water-efficiency: Our projects are designed to minimise energy consumption, optimise water use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We integrate rainwater harvesting, water recycling systems and energy-efficient lighting to promote resource conservation.Biodiversity conservation: Our biodiversity policy ensures that each development prioritises the preservation of native flora and fauna. We maintain a minimum of 80 per cent native species in green cover, avoid invasive species and safeguard endangered plants and wildlife.Sustainable materials and waste management: We emphasise the use of recycled and sustainable materials in construction. Additionally, we follow a strict waste segregation and recycling protocol to minimise landfill impact.Community engagement and green spaces: We actively engage with local communities and stakeholders to promote environmental awareness. Our projects feature green landscapes, open parks and urban forests to enhance biodiversity and overall well-being.Through these initiatives, Birla Estates remains committed to setting new benchmarks in sustainable luxury living, ensuring that our developments not only provide premium residences but also contribute positively to the environment. With growing environmental awareness, homebuyers are increasingly prioritising eco-friendly living, prompting developers to lead the transition toward sustainable construction. This shift reflects a broader trend where luxury is no longer just about grandeur but also sustainability, wellness and bringing in long-term value. What are Birla Estates’ funding strategies to support its ongoing and future real-estate projects? Are there plans for JVs or partnerships to drive growth? As part of the Aditya Birla Group, we benefit from strong financial backing, allowing us to focus on strategic execution and long-term value creation without dependency on external capital markets. Birla Estates adopts a balanced, multipronged funding strategy that includes internal accruals, strategic partnerships and JVs. During the year, we formed a JV with Mitsubishi Estate Co. to invest in Birla Evara in Bengaluru, marking a step forward in our efforts to form global partnerships. We also signed agreements with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, for an investment of approximately $ 50 million (Rs 420 crore) across two key projects: Birla Estates Manjri in Pune and Birla Estates Thane development. Birla Estates achieved sales of Rs 6.75 billion in Q3FY25, reflecting an annual growth, but the quarter also saw a sequential sales decline and a drop in profit. What is your strategy to address these challenges?The Indian real-estate market continues to demonstrate resilience and steady growth, supported by a stable macroeconomic environment and rising urbanisation involving lifestyle aspiration, with a preference for trusted legacy brands. In Q4FY25, the real-estate business performed exceptionally well with stellar sales at our three new projects and two new phases launched across the NCR, Bengaluru and Pune regions. We have achieved a booking value of Rs 80.87 billion, 2x growth from FY24. Our collections have increased from Rs 13.23 billion in FY24 to Rs 27.06 billion in FY25, a 2x growth. In parallel, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Green building practices, energy-efficient design, and smart infrastructure are increasingly influencing both buyer preferences and the regulatory framework. These are all parameters we have built in our business model and portfolio apart from being guided by strong return guardrails. For FY25, sales and collections more than doubled over the previous year. We remain committed to our goal of being among the top three developers in the respective micro-markets in the next few years. What factors contributed to Birla Arika’s success and how does this project align with your broader strategy for expansion in the NCR region, particularly in premium housing?The success of Birla Arika stems from a combination of great location, well-calibrated pricing, differentiated product and a sharp go-to-market strategy. Backed by deep customer insights, we’ve designed homes that blend luxury, functionality and sustainability. Birla Arika offers spacious layouts, excellent ventilation, premium finishes and world-class amenities amidst lush green landscapes – all tailored to today’s discerning homebuyer. Gurugram’s robust infrastructure and growing demand for premium housing made it a natural fit for us. This project perfectly aligns with our broader NCR strategy of delivering high-quality, future-ready residences in key micro-markets, reinforcing Birla Estates’ LifeDesigned® philosophy. The success of Birla Arika highlights the growing demand for premium residences in the NCR region. What are the company’s key growth priorities over the next five years?We are working on eight launches in the current FY2025-26 with a focus on premium and luxury housing. We also added projects having GDV (gross development value) of more than Rs 250 billion in FY25, taking the total GDV of the company close to Rs 700 billion. This number speaks about our strong business momentum and the trust our customers, partners and stakeholders have placed in us. Importantly, the Birla brand has been a key success factor in our journey. We are exploring the redevelopment space in a meaningful way; we believe this can unlock asset-light deals for us. We are also looking at expansion of our commercial real-estate portfolio, which opens a new annuity income stream and brings us closer to our vision of being a holistic real-estate platform. Given all these factors, I believe our real-estate business is well positioned for sustained and high-quality growth ahead. Fact FileYear of establishment: 2016Top management: KT Jithendran, MD & CEONumber of employees: 500-1000Areas of operations: Mumbai, Bengaluru, NCR, PuneOngoing projects: 20+ projects, including launched and to be launched; 5.07 Mn. Sq. ft. area sold in FY25Upcoming projects: 8-9 projects in pipeline for FY26