30 Sep 2024

Bengaluru Urban District is struggling with a significant backlog of land dispute cases in revenue courts, totalling 16,355 unresolved cases, many of which have been pending for over three years. Administrative challenges hinder prompt resolutions, with 10,324 cases concentrated at the Assistant Commissioner level. The Revenue Department has implemented regular hearings to rush the process and mandated that pending appeals be distributed among parallel teams for resolution within six months. Despite efforts, the situation remains critical across various courts, including the Deputy and Assistant Commissioner courts, with thousands of cases still awaiting final decisions.Read more

30 Sep 2024

Prestige Group, a leading real estate developer, has introduced its new luxury project, 'Prestige Pine Forest', in Whitefield, Bangalore. With sales potential estimated at INR 1,100 crore, the project offers spacious 3 and 4 bedroom apartments designed for comfort, privacy, and luxury. Located near IT parks and top schools, it provides excellent connectivity for professionals and families. Prestige Pine Forest features green spaces and premium amenities, setting a new standard for upscale living in Bangalore.Read more

27 Sep 2024

Schloss Bangalore Ltd plans to raise INR 5,000 crore through an initial public offering (IPO), which would be the largest in India's hospitality sector to date. The IPO will include a fresh issue of equity shares worth INR 3,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of INR 2,000 crore by its promoter, Project Ballet Bangalore Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd. Backed by Brookfield Asset Management, the company has filed the necessary documents with SEBI. Funds raised will be used to pay off loans and support general corporate purposes, reflecting strong growth in the hospitality market.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The Karnataka Government is tackling the complex task of acquiring 85,000 acres for satellite townships around Bengaluru. The Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) needs 10,000 acres for five townships, while the Bangalore Metropolitan Area Development Authority (BMRDA) requires 75,000 acres for its five townships. Balancing development with farmers' interests, as many depend on their land for their livelihoods, is crucial. Challenges include high land costs, scarcity, and potential governance changes. The government is working to build consensus through raitha adalats and innovative compensation models. Despite these efforts, the future of the townships remains uncertain and needs careful management.Read more

26 Sep 2024

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has implemented a development fee for existing residential and commercial buildings in the Shivarama Karanth Layout, calculated based on the difference between the 2018 and 2024 residential plot values. One-third of this difference will be levied as a fee, affecting 5,171 buildings regularized by the Justice Chandrashekhar Committee. Fees vary by village, with Kempapura at 1,149 per square foot as the highest and Kempanahalli at 43 the lowest. Development fees per square meter also differ across the 17 villages, while the distribution of plots remains delayed due to ongoing court cases.Read more

25 Sep 2024

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is mandating the switch to the e-khata system for all properties within its jurisdiction, impacting over 2 lakh properties. This new digital system replaces the traditional paper khata to enhance transparency and prevent issues such as double registrations, illegal transactions, and fraud. Existing khata holders need an e-khata only if they sell, transfer, or gift their property. Each property will be assigned a unique ID through the Kaveri-2 software. Applications for e-khata can be made online via the Karnataka Seva Sindhu portal, with processing taking 3-5 days. This update aims to streamline and secure property transactions.Read more

25 Sep 2024

Chevron Corporation has partnered with RMZ Corporation to establish the Chevron ENGINE, an engineering and innovation centre in Bengaluru, leasing around 0.3 million square feet of commercial space. This state-of-the-art facility aims to harness India's skilled workforce and address global energy challenges, contributing to economic growth. RMZ plans to expand its office portfolio to 50 million square feet across six cities. Both companies underscore India's appeal as a destination for multinational corporations, with a focus on advanced, technology-driven workspaces that promote local talent and support the future of the energy sector.Read more

24 Sep 2024

The Karnataka state government is actively searching for a suitable location to build a second international airport in Bengaluru. The decision is driven by the city's growing development needs, increasing passenger traffic, and cargo pressure. After extensive evaluation, the final site appears to be near Nelamangala, situated along National Highway 75. The government had examined several locations, and based on the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) technical standards, the site between Nelamangala and Kunigal seems to be the chosen location. The existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been experiencing a surge in air traffic, prompting the development of a second international airport.Read more

24 Sep 2024

Demand for large office spaces is rising significantly, accounting for about half of all commercial real estate deals in eight major cities in the first half of the year. According to Knight Frank India, deals for spaces over 100,000 square feet grew by 54% from last year, reaching 15.69 million sq. ft. Bengaluru led this trend, with office leasing making up 53% of total transactions, a 32% increase from the previous year. This surge is driven by multinational corporations establishing Global Capability Centres. Hyderabad and Mumbai follow, with significant mid-size leasing growth, highlighting a strong demand for flexible workspaces across major Indian cities.Read more

23 Sep 2024

The Bengaluru civic body has extended its one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for the property tax defaulters until 30 November, following its initial expiration in July and a prior extension to September. This decision, based on a 5 September cabinet meeting, grants taxpayers extra time to clear dues. The scheme, introduced in February, offers defaulters a 100% interest rebate and a 50% penalty reduction. Over 2.6 lakh properties owe INR 474 crores in taxes, with INR 273 crores already collected from 1.3 lakh properties. The BBMP attached 49,487 properties and sealed 4,586 non-residential ones as of 1 September.Read more

23 Sep 2024

In August, Jumboking launched its first burger shop in Bengaluru's HSR Layout, achieving sales figures comparable to its Delhi and Mumbai outlets. Founder Dheeraj Gupta views Bengaluru as a key market due to its status as India's burger capital and its vibrant youth demographic. The South Indian market, including Bengaluru and Hyderabad, is projected to contribute 20% to Jumboking's market share. The company plans to open 150 to 200 stores in Bengaluru over the next decade and expand with 24 new stores in Delhi and Mumbai and 12 in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. With a first-quarter revenue of INR 35 crore, Jumboking aims for INR 40 crore by the third quarter.Read more

20 Sep 2024

Table Space has acquired 500,000 sq ft of office space at Kalyani Camellia in Whitefield, Bengaluru, for approximately INR 500 crore, marking its second owned asset in the city. Founded in 2017, the company specializes in custom and managed office solutions, operating over 60 centers in seven Indian cities with more than 9.5 million sq ft of workspace. Post-COVID, demand for flexible workspaces has surged as companies adopt hybrid models. This acquisition follows Table Space's earlier purchase of Panchshil Towers in Pune and underscores Bengaluru's importance, contributing 46% of the company's revenue. The expansion solidifies Table Space's leadership in India's flexible workspace market.Read more

20 Sep 2024

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has extended the deadline for revised guidelines on paying guest (PG) accommodations to September 21, offering relief to PG owners. The guidelines, which require 70 square feet per person and 90-day CCTV footage retention, face opposition from the PG Owners' Welfare Development Association, which seeks more lenient regulations. BBMP officials are considering the association's concerns, and a meeting is planned to finalize the guidelines and the future of PG facilities in the city.Read more

19 Sep 2024

Sumadhura Group has leased 1.8 lakh sq ft of warehousing space to NX Logistics India (Nippon Express) at its Sumadhura Logistics Park in Bengaluru. The nine-year lease agreement includes ready-to-move-in warehousing facilities. Madhusudhan G, Chairman and Managing Director, highlighted the rising demand for Grade A warehouses across various sectors, emphasising that large-scale industries like FMCG are driving this need. He noted that the FMCG sector is expected to grow into a USD 10 billion industry by 2030, underscoring the importance of high-quality warehousing solutions in supporting this expansion.Read more

19 Sep 2024

Beginning 13th September, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has mandated a shift to e-khata for all properties, replacing the paper-based system. This transition, impacting over 2 lakh properties, enhances transparency in property transactions and helps prevent fraud such as double registrations and illegal dealings. The e-khata, integrated with the Kaveri-2 software, assigns a unique ID to each property, enabling buyers to verify legality and ownership. While properties with existing khatas remain valid, new transactions require e-khata registration. This move strengthens accountability and will soon cover Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) properties.Read more

19 Sep 2024

hBits has launched its second Grade A commercial asset in Vaswani Centropolis, Bengaluru, worth INR 28.8 crore. The property, measuring 12,776 square feet and leased for six years, has an entrance yield of 8.75% and an expected internal rate of return (IRR) of 15.12%. This is the company's fourth asset launch this year, bringing its total portfolio to 15 properties with an AUM of INR 400 crore. hBits recently applied for a small and medium REIT licence from SEBI, with the goal of providing more investment alternatives to smaller investors.Read more

18 Sep 2024

BHIVE Workspace has leased 77,000 square feet of grade-A office space from Address Maker on CMH Road, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, for INR 8.5 crore annually. This new space will accommodate over 1,500 seats and feature various amenities like boardrooms, recreational zones, and dedicated parking. In August 2024, BHIVE also leased 42,000 square feet in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, following a 62,000 square feet expansion in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex. Aiming for INR 348 crore in revenue for FY25, BHIVE plans to add 3 million square feet by FY26, solidifying its position as a leader in flexible workspaces across India.Read more

13 Sep 2024

Incuspaze has expanded its footprint in Bengaluru by leasing 325,000 square feet of office space at QUBE Software Park, Outer Ring Road, catering to over 5,000 seats. This follows a recent lease of 156,000 square feet in Whitefield, as the company targets one million square feet of space in the city within a year. With Bengaluru's IT sector driving demand for scalable workspaces, Incuspaze plans to add two million square feet across key South Indian cities. Established in 2016, the company now operates 4 million square feet across 44 locations in 18 cities.Read more

12 Sep 2024

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the expansion of a new online building plan approval system across Bengaluru, simplifying the process for sites up to 4,000 square feet. The 'Nambike Nakshe' scheme, initially piloted in two zones, allows provisional approvals by architects or engineers, with final approval online. Shivakumar outlined plans for the repairing of damaged roads and praised BBMP efforts in flood prevention and addressed contractor protests over payments, emphasising that the government will assist within legal limits while discouraging pressure tactics. Awareness campaigns for cleanliness are also being implemented.Read more

11 Sep 2024

IBM has renewed its lease for 830,000 square feet in Bengaluru's Embassy Golf Links Business Park, marking a significant office leasing transaction in India this year. The ten-year lease, costing INR 143 crore annually, involves a monthly rate of INR 140 per square foot, with planned escalations of 12% and 15% after five and eight years, respectively. Despite the rise of remote work, demand for office space remains strong, with India's leasing market up 19% in the first half of 2024. IBM's continued expansion underscores the importance of physical office environments amid evolving work trends.Read more