BBCL Vajra Mogappair (W)

Living the high life in a luxury home is a common occurrence. Especially in a thriving metropolis like Chennai, having a luxury home is a dream anyone.  While this may not be a far away dream for the successful entrepreneur or business professional, most luxury apartments are located far away from the city. Seclusion is an attribute of these locations but when you live away from the city you are also far from schools, central business offices and the list goes on.

Keeping this in mind, BBCL Vajra has a little bit of both one would look for in a luxury home that address all factors. Looking at options alone, Vajra is a luxury project with a location that puts in close proximity to 28 schools, 17 healthcare centers, 35 restaurants, 10 shopping malls, and even fitness institutes and parks. Mogappair, in recent times, has emerged as a strategic location for a variety of businesses. Not surprising when you realise it’s just 5km away from Anna Nagar and is the fastest growing micro-market in the city. Vajra is constructed in just the right balance and is away from traffic. And off-course the area is less populace. Living in a city area has never been better.

Why choose BBCL Vajra?

BBCL is a trusted Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury real-estate developer having over 2 million sq. ft of residential spaces in various locations of Chennai. Vajra is a project that focuses on a spacious environment for your family or loved ones that defines luxury, leisure and a green living in the heart of the city. Vajra is meant for happy living surrounded with comforts. We focus on space, recreation, a green atmosphere and mainly luxury made just for you. There is nothing more special than living in your own personal space with every square foot of luxury.

It’s a matter of taste

Vajra is envisioned and designed for families that look for space and luxurious living. The concept of luxury living has grown vastly over the last few years with ‘style’ being a critical factor. Indulgence has become a necessity and something that you deserve. Stepping into Vajra begins a journey of indulgence in space. The Grand Lobby is huge and welcoming. A stylish Foyer on every floor is a precursor to entering one of four ultra-modern apartments brimming with luxury and affluent with space.

The Vajra Factor

So here’s what you get with an apartment at BBCL Vajra. You get the luxury. You get the space. And what comes with that? You get the satisfaction of finally being where you want to be. You get to reap the benefits of your hard work and dedication. The benefits being, an affluent and comfortable lifestyle. And it doesn’t stop there. You also get a thriving neighbourhood surrounded by the best of institutions and establishments that cater to both your work, family and social life. In short, you get what you rightly deserve.

All that’s left for you to do is visit the site and get a taste of the BBCL Vajra experience for yourself. You can reach us @ +91-44 30 20 57 57 as well. After all, when it comes to your happiness, it’s you who comes first.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

BBCL - Stanburry Manapakkam

An enhanced lifestyle in a luxury villa located in the green urban areas of Manapakkam. Not a far away dream! It comes to you in the form of BBCL Stanburry – a new range of luxury boutique villas that represents a whole new style of living for you and for your family.

A home at Stanburry is synonymous with luxury that’s truly unique. It has independent boutique villas secluded in the privacy of Manapakkam’s greenery, yet proximal to the arterial main road and loaded with amenities that are in a class of their own. Stanburry is an exemplar of contemporary community living for the modern urban family. BBCL Stanburry row villas are designed to give you the space you need for yourself and your beautiful joint family. Well designed and spacious contemporary life in a modern urban style surrounded by other happy Stanburry luxury villa owners.

BBCL Stanburry turns life luxurious with its royal boutique villas. Stanburry is all about more space for a peaceful and luxury-laden living. Since everyone in the family needs their own privacy and space to grow, you can set yourself out into the gardens, the spacious terrace or balconies.

Living luxury and living it GREEN

When it comes to green living we understand its importance. BBCL Stanburry is pre-certified Gold by the Indian Green Building Council which means that green living at BBCL Stanburry is an eco-friendly project in its entirety. The entire project has been designed to be eco-friendly and enable green choices. This is made possible through energy-efficient practices and technologies using as many natural, renewable resources as possible such as optimal use of natural light.

Something that’s good to know: Lux is the measure of the intensity of light as perceived by the human eye. Technically, a well-lit area is one that employs 108 lux or more of natural light.

BBCL Stanburry uses scientific sun path analysis to optimise the use of natural light. Every villa is designed to ensure that more than 75% of the area is naturally lit outside the well-lit range of 108 lux. This translates to reduced usage of electricity during the day. Better light, better ventilation, better health.

The Amenities:

There are shared amenities as a part of the villa experience that will let you experience a complete different lifestyle packed with pleasure, refreshment and excitement such as a party hall, a fitness centre, Infinity pool with spacious changing rooms and off-course a kid`s park for your small happy ones.

About the location: Manapakkam is an urban area is well connected by roads. It is 5.3 kilometres from Guindy and 5.2 km from Porur. This Census town is a home to a lot of IT companies. Stanburry is surrounded with 3 medical institutions, 5 educational institutions and 2 financial institutions, all just a few kilometres away.

All that’s left for you to do is visit the site and get a taste of the BBCL Stanburry experience for yourself. You can reach us @ +91-44 66 20 57 57 as wel. After all, when it comes to your happiness, it’s you who comes first.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Home - Where you come first

A home is somewhere you retire to after a hard day’s work. It could’ve been a day of answering tonnes of emails or addressing meetings; whatever it is, you already know how taxing it can get for you. The one truth is that no matter how much work needs to be completed there is always that time when you finally start telling yourself, “I need to go home.”

There may also be occasions when you’re out on a holiday or getting together with friends or associates. There will be laughter and merriment. Sharing stories and recollecting memories, seeing friends that you’ve thought that you’d never see again. While all of these joys are good to experience, they are also short-lived. And you start telling yourself, “Let’s go home.”

That’s where we come in.

As a developer BBCL is dedicated to providing its customers with projects that translate to much more than just concrete, tiling, landscaping or any of the other tangible factors that go into building. Homes are meant to give you a sense of belonging, where you will never feel out of space. BBCL Ashraya, a premium project constructed by BBCL, fundamentally connects all the dots to solve the puzzle of having the work-life balance that is a seeming luxury in today’s day and age. It gives you the options of being well connected to work, shopping and entertainment.

BBCL Ashraya is situated in Thoraipakkam,  close to the budding IT parks and industrial locations, so you can be in office and back at home in no time, not spending those precious hours behind the wheel of a car and instead in the midst of your family . In the midst of life. The centralized location of Thoraipakkam on the OMR stretch puts BBCL Ashraya almost equidistant between distinguished schools, healthcare institutions, health and wellness establishments and picturesque parks.

It’s not only BBCL Ashraya’s location that makes it an ideal home. To further augment the quality of life of its residents, this project is laden with a multitude of amenities carefully chosen along with premium specifications that are available in every home. A well-equipped playground, clubhouse, swimming pool and landscaped gardens add to the plethora of activities that you could practice on a daily basis to keep your social and family life as thriving as you want it to be.

Finally, like all good homes BBCL Ashraya is built to last. What’s the point of having all that joy if it’s not long-lasting. Over the years of building quality projects we’ve developed a sustainable building science helped us design this masterpiece. We make sure we use quality components starting from the structure to give your home rigid strength with RCC-framed seismic resistance and anti-termite treatment to make your woodwork as long as your happiness is going to be.

A lot of meticulous thought is put into the construction of a home at BBCL Ashraya. The paint tones are chosen to give your home an well-balanced ambience. Even the floors and tiles are chosen based where they are fitted. Bathroom and balcony tiles are picked to the environment in which they are used. With a granite top, glazed ceramic tiles, stainless steel sink, RO system and utility lines these factors puts you one step closer to a fully-equipped kitchen.

All that’s left for you to do is visit the site and get a taste of the BBCL Ashraya experience for yourself. You can reach us @ +91-44 66 20 56 56 as wel. After all, when it comes to your happiness, it’s you who comes first.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Over the past couple of months we’ve had the opportunity of discovering so many facets of Chennai that we’ve been led to believe there is so much more to this city than meets the eye. We’ve taken unconventional paths and have gone some well tread roads, all the while keeping alive the spirit of adventure and urban exploration.

In line with our quest for urban discoveries, we thought of pursuing scientific sights-to-see in our city whilst concurrently exploring the wonders of the animal world- something we’ve not done before.

Was it a tall order, especially considering that we would be beginning and ending our journey in the mortar roundabouts of the city?

The answer, well, it should surprise you just as much as it did us.

For the science buff in you

When you live in a sardine-can packed city such as Chennai, its best to plan your journeys well in advance. This is why when we thought of visiting the B.M. Birla Planetarium situated at Periyar Science and Technology Centre campus at Kotturpuram, our first thought was “How far are we really willing to go this time?’’

As it turned out, not that far, really!

Located at a distance of 40 minutes from BBCL’s AURACITY at Vengambakkam, near Tambaram, the Birla planetarium is accessible within a short distance of 18 kms via the Nagapattinam-Chennai Highway /Tiruchi Chennai Highway.

What’s more, as we’d promised ourselves a short breezy visit of discovering a thing or two of our furry friends we thought of visiting the Arignar Anna Zoological Park or the Vandalur Zoo too. Another surprise awaited us, as the zoo turned out to be even closer than the planetarium.

Situated at a distance of a mere 17 minutes from BBCL’s AURACITY at Vengambakkam, the zoo is reachable within a short distance of 8 kms via the Grand Southern Trunk Rd (GST Rd), the Nagapattinam-Chennai Highway, the NH45 or the Tiruchi Chennai Highway.

Where do you go?

With a deliberate attempt at rousing ourselves from the comfort zone of our home at BBCL AURACITY, a 52 acre township that’s power packed with all the features anyone could possibly dream of, we willed ourselves to ready for the trip ahead. A tad difficult, as the township project is a self-sufficient, lush living space in itself.

It’s a first!

BBCL AURACITY is a mixed township project comprising of Plug & Play Plots - a first in Chennai that presents once-in-a-lifetime opportunity wherein one can buy perfectly laid out plots, ranging from 467 sq.ft. to 2400 sq.ft., with pre-installed water mains, sewerage and drains, electricity and telephone connections, with the option of building a home exactly the way one dreamt of.

That’s not all, BBCL’s AURACITY township also comprises of villas (in the next phase) set amidst wide open spaces and verdant greenery. The apartments here are aesthetically designed and perfectly suited for all budgets and families.

Beautiful, inclusive and secure BBCL’s Auracity is right in the middle of the growth corridor of Chennai. Situated on the Vandalur-Kelambakkam highway, it is a 10 minute drive from Tambaram, Medavakkam; a 20 minute drive from the airport and within 6 kms of the upcoming 8, 00,000 sq ft Gold Souk mall. This is everything you want from city living, without any hassles.
Something we city wanderers really and truly appreciate!

So, starting our journey from Auracity, off we went on our urban discovery voyage to the Birla Planetarium.

Science, Space and Astronomy- for you & me

A landmark location in Chennai, the Birla Planetarium has been a popular place to see for locals and tourists alike. Inaugurated by R. Venkataraman, the President of India in the year 1988, the planetarium is named after Mr. B. M. Birla. As is already known, Mr. B. M. Birla was a renowned businessman and philanthropist.

Today, the planetarium serves as a wonderful opportunity for providing children and adults interesting and knowledgeable sessions on astronomy that are conducted via audio-visual programs and virtual tours on a specially perforated hemispherical aluminium inner dome screen.

A visit to the centre is by and large an extremely fulfilling experience as there are very many assorted subjects and exhibits that pander to a wide ranging audience. The eight galleries there are based on different themes namely, Electronics and Communication, Life Science, Transport, Energy, Innovation, Materials Science, International Dolls & Children and Physical Science with over 500 exhibits that are sure to keep engrossed budding scientists, amateur astronomers and proficient stargazers alike.

Referred to as an indoor universe, the fully computerised planetarium has displays such as the Cycle of Stars, Solar System, Man on the Moon and Sky and Seasons. The awe-inspiring cosmic shows, running daily in different time slots and in various languages depict the blinking stars, comets shooting meteoroids, stellar cycle, deep sky, eclipses, the rotating solar system and our Worlds and Beyond among other interesting spectacles.

Moreover, since the seats are in a near-about supine position, it turns out to be a real visual treat and an up close and personal encounter with the images seen on the dome. The other key attraction is the Science Park and the Science on Wheels, do ensure to take a look!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Continuing our saga of visiting offbeat places and taking the lesser travelled roads we’ve stumbled across some places that are different yet familiar and some which have surprised us with their unspoken unnoticed heritage. This time round, we crossed over the state’s lines and got ourselves on the road to a place that promised to give us a dose of wilderness and religious sanctity, all rolled into one.

What’s more, it’s a nice trip for a day traveller, a biker, and trekker or for those looking for a mini holiday.

From Navarathina at Ambattur to our destination- in under 2 hours

Starting from BBCL’s Navarathina at Ambattur we headed off to to Nagalapuram, which is in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. The distance is roughly about 1 hour 40 minutes if you hit traffic. If you don’t, it’s just one and a half hour away or rather just 67 kms via the Tirupathi road. To get to Tirupathi road you may need to get onto NH 5. Do be aware that this route has tolls.

BBCL’s project - Navarathina at Ambattur is located close to the Ambattur lake and the Chennai Bypass road. A premium project, it boasts of 144 premium apartments that are well knit into 4 blocks. The location advantages include being closer to India Land IT and Ambit IT Park, as well as having the Ramachandra Hospital in close vicinity.

Moreover the Dunlop Factory is just 1.6 kms away, Mogappair is 4.5 kms away and Anna Nagar is just 9.0 kms from Navarathina.

Must say, the location is advantageous as is the project itself.

Get the wind in your hair

Before we talk about the untouched beauty that is Nagalapuram, do remember that it is advisable to hire the services of a local villager from the Kadivedu village who will serve as a guide. Insist that your guide escort you to the waterfalls and drop you off near the waterfalls.

Besides, it is also thought that there have been some instances of travellers as well as of some missing holiday-makers who’ve lost their way in the forests here- so tread with caution.

Needless to say, before you enter the forest it’s best to register at the Nagalapuram town police station first and seek permissions from the forest authorities if need be. Women travellers are not advised to go unescorted as this trek has become a popular jaunt for all and sundry.

Next on, its best to remember that once you’ve ‘Nagalapuram’ you will need to ask around for the Nagalapuram waterfalls or Saddhi Koodu Madugu. Nagalapuram is the name of the town and the trek is actually a short distance away from the town. It would help to understand the route better if you look up Arai Village, Arai, and Andhra Pradesh on the internet beforehand.

After travelling for about 30 Kms from Nagalapuram you will come to Arai village, which is the location for the starting point of the tre

Crystal clear waterfalls beckon

The trekking starts from the Kone Dam, which is roughly 6 kms from the waterfalls and needless to say the Nagalapuram waterfalls trek is scenic, set with the back-waters coming from the Kone reservoir. Together with the green foliage and the Eastern Ghat mountains in the backdrop, the trek is considered to be well worth a once in a lifetime visit.

For the expert trekkers there are some good high points that will be encountered during the trek, for novices there are a few easy trails along with some uphill ones, but all in all it’s worth a go. The trek is roughly about 12 kms long and depending on the speed, expertise and the weather conditions, one can reach the waterfall in less than 3 hours. Do remember that there are some trails that are tricky besides which the topography is not entirely simple and straightforward.

Once you have reached the first waterfall, you will find yourself in the midst of nature’s splendour and glory. The water is clear and refreshing; however, it is deep, approx. 40 feet deep. Carry proper swimming floats and tubes and don’t venture too far into the pool.

There is a second pool too, but it is thought that most trekkers and revellers prefer to frolic in the first one and keep the second pool as an optional visit. There is another trail at the second pool, nonetheless, it is best to completely avoid this trail altogether and head back down.

Religious sanctity

The town of Nagalapuram is famous for the Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple too and quite a few tourists find themselves seeking blessings here, especially in the month of March, during the 3 day Surya Puja festival. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is regarded to have been constructed in the memory of his mother Nagala Devi, by Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar Empire. The town is named after her.

The holy place of Tirupati is roughly 60- 70 kms from the Nagalapuram village.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Each year International Women's Day is celebrated across the world with a central theme addressing and capturing the current trends and the undercurrent of changes taking place for women across the world. While there are a host of plaguing issues that are particularly endemic to women, our thought veered towards reflecting a different (and more positive) standpoint, that of female emancipation at an individual grass root level and what we are doing about it, as a corporate and as responsible individuals of the world.

Celebrating Women's indomitable spirit- Not one day, but every single day!

Women's Day means different things to different people and while some eulogize it in theory, we prefer to practise it in reality, on a day-to-day basis. This, we believe is the best and most veritable way of acknowledging the inherent strength and power of a woman. Women are not assigned subservient roles in our organisation and neither are they mere spectators in our success story, rather, women lead the way in every department and at every level in our organisational structure, even in respect of our third party affiliates.

“Empowered Women who reach tough or unconventional positions make CHOICES not sacrifices” – Kiran Bedi

The architects, the steely strength, the moral compass of our society- The 21st century woman

From time immemorial women have been regarded as the ultimate symbol of strength, purity and the divine sacred feminine, however the role was limited to the home and hearth. Today, however, all that has changed and while women have, and always will be considered as the ultimate symbols of divinity and strength, they have proved their mettle in every facet, every step of the way, every single time! Not only have unconventional roles been challenged and gently cast aside but also set trailblazing examples that generations will follow. Today, women have taken charge as effective leaders who manage careers with equal parts of heart, hard work and grit.

As an organisation, we believe that by way of our impetus of introducing more women channel partners in our workforce and third party affiliations we are effectively taking more concrete and accelerated steps towards infusing our establishment with greater efficacy, multi-tasking potentialities, compassion and opening up of novel visions that women naturally bring to the table.

Today, it is thought that women constitute near about 5% of CEOs positions in Fortune 500 companies and that there are nearly over 17% of women constituting corporate board members of Fortune 500 companies.
Percentages which we think are set to go only one way- Up, up and up.

Our Salute

As we salute the torchbearers and the front running women across the world, we raise a quiet salute to all the steely women who continue to lead the light today, tomorrow and always. May your tribe increase!

Wishing you all a Happy International Women’s Day!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The Union Budget is just around the corner and just as every year, this year too everybody is holding their breath and waiting for announcements that spell good news for industries and individuals across the length and breadth of India.

What everyone is waiting for

The budget holds something in store for everyone and it is true that it affects each and every strata of the society, be it individual households on a micro level or a multitude of businesses on a larger macro level.

Changes in interest rates and tax structures among other things keenly matter to the common man as it not only affects his basic necessities of life of food, clothing and housing but also his savings and the way he lives his day-to-day life thereafter.

Expectations Galore

For industries and especially so for the realty industry, it’s needless to say that the budget and the repercussions of the decisions made in it are monumental and these proposals definitely go on to influence the future of the real estate scenario as also the way the common man buys properties.

That said, for realty players too the budget is a terse happening that indicates a turn of events that may or may not set the course for a brighter and more lucrative future for the industry by and large.

While each individual has a different expectation on the sops expected in the budget, there are some broad, mutual sentiments that hinge on the hope that the budget will usher in a wave of change in the following aspects of the realty industry. Let’s take a look at some of them-

Interest Deductions

While there has been talk going on about this in the industry circles for quite some time now, there is hope that the budget this time will make allowances for individuals to claim deduction in entirety of the home loan interest payments made. In other words, say an individual is claiming deduction on the home loan interest for a single house; he is able to do so only up to 2 lakhs under 80C.

In the case of an individual whose interest payment exceeds 2 lakhs, there is no allowance for him/her to claim the rest of the excess amount. Home loan interest usually exceeds this stipulated amount in most cities, as houses today don’t come cheap.

Raising the limit will most likely motivate people to purchase houses, claim deductions and will also encourage the home loan/ banking sector in return.

What’s more, providing some sops for those opting for home insurance policies will persuade people to secure their homes as well as claim deductions on the premium paid on it too.

Bridging the gap

At present, if an individual has booked an under construction property (this is called the pre-construction phase) he is not liable for tax benefits, however he can claim benefits only when the said property/ project gets completed within 3 years from the date of commencement of construction.

As is already known, interest deductions can be claimed up to 2 lakhs besides which he/she is also eligible for actual interest repayment deductions (whichever is lower). In this case, the individual is liable to claim deductions within a stipulated five year period after he has got possession of the house.

There is hope among realty players that the budget may increase the time frame period leading to deductions starting from the year the loan period starts (disbursement).

Safeguard the interest of home buyers

Considering the above factors, it is well understood that as of now timely possessions by the builder leads to the smooth cycle of repayments and deductions etc. However, there are instances when projects do get delayed due to genuine reasons, nonetheless the hapless tax-payer remains the brunt bearer in all of this. He not only continues to pay rent and not get possession of his house but also pays a higher interest as a result of the delay (hold-ups exceeding 3 years).

Succour in this case would be in the form of an extension of the 3 year period and allowing for the individual to claim deductions from the time the loan is disbursed.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Just as every year, this year too the red carpet has been rolled out and everybody, starting from the participating builders to the potential customers, have begun their countdown for the opening dates of the much-anticipated CREDAI Chennai Fairpro 2016 exhibition.
 

It’s better than ever

Now, as the Fairpro 2016 dates come closer, participants and customers are waiting with bated breath for final d-day when participants get to unveil all that they have to offer and eager customers, well, aside from getting varied housing solutions under one roof, there’s a lot more goodies awaiting them here!

CREDAI Chennai - The apex body of the real estate sector

As is known, CREDAI is the apex body of the organized Real Estate Sector with developers across the State representing Pan State Associations or Real Estate and Housing Developers.

The objective of CREDAI is to promote Housing and Real Estate Developments in an organized, systematic and cohesive manner and to provide a liaison with government bodies to effectively represent the views and needs of the Industry. Twenty State/City Associations spread over 20 States of India are members of CREDAI at the National level with over 6000 Member Developer which encompasses over 60% of the Real Estate Development activity in the country.

For a potential home buyer this means that the participating builders are not only members of the association but are highly established names that represent quality construction and time-tested trustworthiness in the real estate sector.

Fairpro 2016, Chennai’s most trusted property fair- A longstanding benefit for all

There’s a reason why home buyers look forward to the Fairpro exhibition and it’s not merely because of the convenience factor. It is a well-known fact that home buying can be a very traumatic experience if the developer turns out to be rogue or worse, has a bad reputation in the market attributed to a variety of reasons. For the home buyer the thought of buying a dream home can turn into a nightmare that never ends.

Addressing that very need, an exhibition of this magnitude, organised by a legitimate national apex body of the real estate sector, is deemed to the safest and secure platform, for one and all. What’s more, among the biggest advantages of the Fairpro exhibition, one can safely say that the member builders and housing developers are associated with CREDAI on the basis of their veracity, goodwill and untarnished repute- which is what any discerning home buyer wants.

This is why a customer can ‘Buy with trust, live with confidence’.

Chennai’s most trusted property fair- What to look forward to this year

There are over 80 builders that are participating at this exhibition and there are over 600 + properties, including ready-to-occupy-homes

that will be on display. Besides, there are added incentives such as on the spot instant loan approvals, lowest interest rates and a whole lot of other goodies when a buyer books a home on the spot.

Video from Credai Chennai Fairpro 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuUXcxar0pI

Why we participate?

As an organisation, our life force is approachability and as a team, we are well aware of the significance of home buying, which is over 3 decades of our existence, we have catered to every query and requirement of our clients with the same enthusiasm as we did when we started off in 1986.

Our participation in Fairpro 2016 presents us with the valued prospect of exhibiting and creating awareness about BBCL’s forthcoming projects besides which we are able to establish a precious two-way connect with our customers and ourselves. It’s something we eagerly look forward to!

See you there.

Venue            : Chennai trade Centre.
Our Stall No   : D1
Date               :19th – 21st  February 2016.
Time              :9.30 a.m. till 8.30 p.m.

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About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Patriotism as a word conjures up many images in the mind and heart. While to some it reminds of the Swadeshi Movement and the fervent spirit of every Indian in that era, to most others patriotism is a silent flame that burns in the heart and is expressed not by overt actions and loud displays but by a silent show of respect and an undying determination to stand up for the cause, when needed. For the modern man and woman of today, the definition of patriotism has evolved and is reflective of the life and times of the 21st century.

As we are on the threshold of celebrating the 67h year of the independent Republic of India, we take a moment to reflect on the things that have changed over the course of the years.

Celebrating Republic Day
January 26, 1950- This is the day when the Indian constitution came into force replacing the Government of India Act (1935). Not an ordinary day by any means, the republic day marks the nation’s shift towards independence in every sense besides underlying the immense power vested in the hands of the Indian citizens—that of electing their own government.

Amidst much fanfare, a grand parade is held in New Delhi in order to celebrate the spirit of the day. Awards, medals of bravery, aerial displays by the armed forces, song and dance by school children, military parades and sounds of patriotic songs fill the air as do the tricolours of the Indian national flag.

As the case may be, the spirit of love towards the motherland and its countrymen reverberates across the length and breadth of India as well as the Indian diaspora spread across the world.

So, as we contemplate on the golden promises of tomorrow, we take a look at some of the milestones in India that have gone on to shape and represent today all that we collectively are.

Milestones that have built the nation
The world’s largest democracy has to its credit many significant high points that have built and furthered the rich Indian heritage that has been inherited from over thousands of years. Development in every sphere, be it in the field of space exploration, infrastructure, science, fine arts education, medicine, lifestyle and urbanisation, dance, music and astronomy have seen breakthroughs and ground breaking advances.

Today, in the era of globalisation, the nation continues to contribute in myriad areas such as IT, life sciences and industrial growth among many other spheres.

The growth of the service sector
Among the major contributors to the growing GDP of the country, India’s pride is its formidable service sector growth that has been built on the strength of primarily the growth of tele services and the IT/ ITES industry. Foreign institutions and investors have actively recognised and looked towards India for a skilled, technical and intellectual workforce. No surprise then that the country’s services sector is considered to be the second fastest growing sector today. While it continues to account for an enviable GDP growth there are hopes for it to continue to show a stellar growth in the future too.

Education for all
Post independence, there has been a considerable rise in the number of schools whilst education for everyone from 6-14 years was made a fundamental right. Today, India’s education system is considered equivalent to the global standard and many alumnus of prestigious Indian institutes are spearheading international conglomerates across the world.

Many initiatives along with the introduction of the mid-day meals programme have been aimed towards ensuring that every child in India gets a schooling education. Today, surveys suggest that there are 13 lakh schools in India, with over 23 crore children studying in them.

Unbound infrastructural growth
The infrastructure of the country then and now has been transformational and all encompassing. A far cry from the muddy, dusty roads of yore one can find now a road network that connects the remotest of hinterlands to the most populated of urban cities. In fact, it is thought that India has the second largest road network in the world with many state highways and a noteworthy road system.

Spurring the growth of industries, the increased road connectivity has been a major boost for the economy of the country. The electricity and energy sector too have seen tremendous progress and today India is regarded as the third largest producer of electricity in Asia. Responsible for lighting up the lives of many a home across the length and breadth of the nation, there is much more advancement to expect from this sector too.

Synopsis
As we move towards the future at a lightning pace, India will continue to cement its position as a leading contributor of technological advancements in every facet whilst establishing its presence as a nation that is fully capable of fulfilling the ambitions and aspirations of millions of its countrymen.

Our warm and heartfelt salute to our motherland, now and always!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Space is a constraint in today’s day and age. Huge living rooms and sprawling bedrooms are a thing of the past. The order of the day is compact homes that can ideally support a family of four and is fully functional for supporting their every need.

While there are many options in terms of DIY (do-it-yourself) petite furniture that makes small spaces appear larger, the task of actually implementing them seems a bit risky as there is never a guarantee about how it’ll finally look in your personal space, when it all comes together. Efficiency- that’s another matter altogether.

Here we wont attempt to enumerate furniture hacks for making your space seem larger, rather we’ll enlist a few tricks that you can employ to ‘create’ the visual illusion of a larger space.

Pull up your chin and look up!

Painting your ceilings in light shades makes the room appear bigger. If you don’t have the time to paint just wallpaper it and see the difference. Lighter colours on the ceiling make the room look taller. This trick employs the visual illusion to get the eye to look upwards thereby making the room feel larger than it actually is.

Ask the Mirror

A common technique mirrors have been used time and again to make rooms appear larger and more airy. They can be purchased right off the shelf and hung on a wall pronto. But then anyone can do that.

Placing the mirror strategically is the trick here and this may require you to take a good look at the window locations and the fall of light in the room. So, placing a mirror right near a window makes it appear like there’s another window whilst also reflecting light into the room. You don’t need an oversized full-length mirror; just maybe a few purposefully placed ones should do the trick.

Whites that work

Most interior designers dream of white walls and white furniture to go with it. Probably because white gives the feeling of pristine purity and it does reflect quite a bit of light. While you may not need to go white all the way you can definitely think of getting your walls and ceilings painted white.

It does wonders for a crammed up room, making it appear spacious and airy moreover if you’ve got those mirrors placed right, you’re probably going to inviting a whole lot of light indoors.

Light, linen fabrics for furnishing

Dark coloured single piece furniture is a good idea if paired with light coloured surroundings. However, furnishings that are woolly or too heavy may make the whole appearance look too intense. Cool cottons and linens in lighter tones make perfect sense as they give the feeling of space and lightness.

Furthermore, opting for throws or rugs with tiny prints in light shades work just as well. Think sheer drapes.

Go the extra mile

Sofas, armchairs and tables with raised legs go a long way in creating the illusion of space. Skip the heavy pieces of furniture. The rule here is that if it’s too heavy to move around you probably don’t need it in this room in the first place. Raised legged furniture without skirting and preferably made of clear materials is a good bet.

Stripes or Monochromatic- Take your pick

Monochromatic blacks and whites are one of the best ways to your small room appear bigger. Plus they also save the additional headache of colour co ordinations. The whites and blacks make the space look more serene and make it look more organised. 

That said there are many shades of whites to choose from. In fact, you can opt for egg white, off-whites and shades of greys to blacks.

Walls/ floor rugs in striped black and white shades makes the room length look endless.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Hark back to the olden days when our forefathers purchased their home sometime close to their retirement age. Our parents, a slightly more forward thinking generation, would typically end up purchasing one sometime in their late 40’s. Cut to the present day working populace, well, there’s just one axiom that best describes them ‘I want it now, now, now’.

Homes- The fast food way

Home buyers nowadays are no longer an uncomplaining, patient lot of people that will wait for aeons before purchasing their first home. Quite the reverse in fact! Today, the young home buyer is aggressive about realising his first home dreams faster and to that end is more than happy to go about arranging for 80-85 per cent of the required capital via home loans. This breed of populace, usually a working professional in the 20’s – 30’s age group, want their homes quick, built-to-last, luxurious and fully functional so as to serve their every whim and fancy. Not to be left behind, banks are addressing these specific needs with equal efficacy and speed.

This is how the juggernaut rolls on

The young home buyer segment has been justifiably identified by banks and much is being done to lure them. In fact, as a testament to this growing breed of young guns, financial institutions and housing finance companies have come up with targeted home loans with attractive interest rates and longer tenure terms that are able to accurately cater to this segment of people.

Something we are going to learn about in detail, read on below-

Live it up in super style

The change in aspiration, especially in the case of young home buyers has resulted in the emergence of luxury homes replete with all the frills and smart home features. Luxury homes today are being seen as a status symbol that denote the high-flying status of the working person’s professional prowess.

Catering to this niche segment of pro’s, in a fairly recent move, banks are contemplating an extended tenure of up to 30 years for a home loan that is worth a cool Rs.1 crore and above.

A lower EMI for those with a higher disposable income

The result of a longer tenure, especially one that extends over a 30-year period is quite simply a boon for the Gen Z of today. Reason being that a longer tenure means a smaller EMI to pay each month and a higher disposable income that can be utilised by the borrower to utilise as he wishes.

In other words, let us say a borrower has applied for a home loan for a luxury home, under the 30-year extended tenure; he will be paying just Rs.899 for 1 lakh with 10.15% interest rate. Normally the borrower would have paid Rs.975, had his tenure been 15 years. This amount may not seem much if it is calculated only on per lakh basis but do so against the entire loan amount and it is a substantial sum saved.

A cool cash stockpile coupled with a lavish lifestyle that can be enjoyed in the prime of the borrowers’ life; the 30-year tenure will definitely find many takers among the professionals of this generation.

Reduced Lending rates

The recent repo rate cuts announced by the Reserve Bank of India this year resulted in good cheer among potential home buyers who were waiting for the right opportunity to purchase their new home.

A lower repo rate simply translates into a lower EMI that is a result of a lower rate of interest on the home loan. It also means a reduction in the overall tenure with a consequent decrease in the interest amount that borrowers pay on the loan.

To that end, leading financial institutions such as State Bank of India and HDFC have already lead the way by considering the early launch of these 30-year repayment period home loans.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Sure, we all know plants exhale oxygen and that they are the leafy friends that can breathe life in a dull dreary room. However, did you know that plants are also the harbinger of love, joy and prosperity! Don’t believe us? Read on below and you’ll discover the many ways of infusing the ‘good luck’ factor in your life by bringing home a green pal.

Lucky Plants that do a world of good

Ancient belief’s have always expounded the many benefits of keeping potted plants in the home and in lawns and terraces around the house, especially so in the case of medicinal and aromatic plants. But what is interesting to note is that many scriptures also prescribed the ritual of planting some plants that were considered to bring good fortunes and healing to the members of the house.

Nowadays, most urban residents prefer growing herbs and flowering plants that not only look beautiful but also serve the dual purpose of providing fresh kitchen produce on call. While it’s definitely a nice hobby to pursue, why not try growing something that brings you love, luck and a little moolah too?

Below we enlist a few shrubs and plants that can be easily grown indoors and while you enjoy the good fortune you’ll also benefit from for the pure beauty that they bring along with them!

Come on, let’s grow!

Basil

This one will probably not come as a surprise to anyone, isn’t it? Known for centuries as one of the most potent, healing, medicinal plants that grew on the face of earth, the holy basil has always found a place in most Indian courtyards and homes. But did you know that it is also the harbinger of good fortune and beauty? What’s more, it is thought that it’s not just the holy basil that is considered as the bearer of good luck, even the other varieties of basil work just as fine.

Why bring it home?

It is thought that the humble basil plant brings about wealth, love and luck and passion besides introducing beauty to your home. Furthermore, consuming your very own home-grown basil is said to stir up your zeal aside from removing feelings of depressions. It is widely renowned for its antibacterial, antidepressant and antiseptic properties too.

Lemon

Don’t the mere smell of lemons refresh the senses? If there’s a jug of lemonade or nimbu pani being made somewhere, well, that’s even more refreshing isn’t it? Bright yellow and energising, lemons rev up the food and the very environ too! But did you know that a lemon tree grown in the house also symbolises cleansing?

Why bring it home?

A lemon tree signifies purity and friendship. Growing it in your house only ensures that you get an abundance of both. Not a bad thing to have especially if it comes along with some good ol’ lemon cake!

What’s more, one a more mystical level, it is thought that dabbing on a little bit of watered down lemon oil during full moon nights will create harmony with the energies of it.

Bamboo

Who hasn’t been gifted a ‘bamboo in a bowl’ yet? Well, no one really. A popular gift, one can find scores of intertwined bamboos in colourful glass bowls lining the shelves of most variety stores. But did you know that bamboo is also considered as a magnet for attracting happiness and prosperity?

Why bring it home?

Bamboo grown in the house is said to offer safety to the resident members of the house. Not only that, it is also thought that the bamboo brings home luck, augments the intellectual faculties and increases psychological flexibility whilst acting as a sort of jinx breaker.

Moreover, it is also believed that the bamboo makes wishes come true whilst acting as a stimulant for divine growth. It doesn’t end there; the bamboo even inculcates and nurtures the love of art and encourages imaginative talents. It brings about good health and acts as an antidepressant, especially when it healthily grows upwards.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

A stitch in time saves nine. This adage is especially true in the case of elder and senior citizen’s safety at home. Simple, minor modifications made in the house can go a long way in preventing major/ minor accidents and falls. In fact, even with a few miniscule changes in as little as a few thousand rupees, one can make sure that the house is made completely ‘Senior-friendly’.  
 

How to make the house Senior Safe?

There are some small safety features that can be implemented right away. They require no alterations to the existing layout of the house and neither do they require drastic changes such as remodelling the furniture or replacement of tiles. Just a few easy home modifications and the house is threat-free.

In the Kitchen

Non-slip mats placed in strategic areas of the house, especially in the wetness prone areas in the kitchen or near the sink can be a simple yet effective measure against slippages due to water or other slippery substances such as oil spills.

Install smoke/ fire detectors that sound an alarm instantly. Newer alarms have security features such as automatic relay of emergency fire alarm notifications sent directly to the fire brigade.

Always keep a lightweight fire extinguisher accessible in the kitchen.

Nowadays there are anti-skid, fire resistant tiles that are readily available in the market. Alternately even anti-slip surface coatings work just as effectively. Similar to a paint or a finish these anti-slip surface coatings can be simply and easily applied to the floor. Once dry, the coating becomes an effective deterrent to falls and slips.

Consider installing the kitchen with automatic shut-off white goods such as automatic shut-off stoves, electrical tea-kettles and toasters. They come with adjustable timers so they are equally easy to use as they are effective.
 

Get the wirings, circuits, sockets and outlets of the kitchen and the house periodically checked by a qualified electrician.

In the Bathroom

If there is one area in the house that is most susceptible for accidental falls, is the bathroom. However, if you install due precautionary safety measures in this location you are ensuring a largely secure house as it is estimated that nearly 80 percent of senior falls usually occur in the bathroom.

Do ensure to install more than sufficient lighting in the bathroom, especially in the passageways leading to the bathroom.

Ensure that no furniture or objects are kept in the pathway from the bed to the bathroom. Additionally, it should be properly lit with night lamps if need be.

Rails and grab handles are a must in bathrooms for the elderly.

Anti-skid tiles and non-slip mats should be placed inside the bathroom as well as outside. Additionally, a mat placed near the bathroom sink, near the shower areas and near the toilet will be a good idea.

Good quality, anti-skid shower chairs or bath benches should be duly installed.

Rails and grab bars installed near the toilet area help in assisting the elderly to sit and stand.

Let there be light

Improper lighting or showy/ fancy light fixtures that have no real use should be avoided. Do remember that insufficient lighting can be disastrous for the elderly especially as the eyesight starts to go.

Opt for fully-functional white lights that can be with or without timers and auto dimmers, so as to save electricity whilst providing appropriate lighting solutions when needed.

Night lights must be installed in hard to see areas of the house such as the hallways, attics, corridors and stairwells.

Think like a senior for a moment and imagine what other areas of the house appear dark or shadowy. Places such as large storage cupboards, near the bed or other furniture, dining sets in the dining room area can be sometimes hard to see. It is essential to install light fixtures, even small miniature lights, in these areas.

The best way of figuring out if the lighting is enough is by simply watching the elderly navigate the house. This way you can note down any additional lighting fixtures that may be required.

Aside from these measures, do remember to ensure rugs and carpets are properly secured to the floor. Moreover, cords and wires should not be left hanging or suspended such that it can cause entanglements and lead to a fall.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Schools have reopened, passports have been re-issued in a record number of days, working professionals have begun their daily grind at offices and the semblance of normalcy has somewhat set in for most Chennaites. However, in some areas of Chennai, the floods have left behind a long trail of stagnant water that is now breeding mosquitoes and causing much alarm especially as it concerns the safety of children and elders. While most parts of Chennai have been sun-dried there are still some others that are facing niggling issues especially with regard to water logging and supply of clean drinking water.

Though it can be said that the weather of Chennai is by and large ‘warm or sunny’ in a large part of the year, it is also an undeniable fact that inclement climatic conditions and violent rain spells like the recent one throw life out of gear and expose the unpreparedness of mankind for coping with these kind of situations.

How then do you ensure the wellbeing of your loved ones irrespective of prevailing weather conditions along with ensuring the optimum health of your house and personal belongings?
 

Forewarned is forearmed

This is one adage that holds true in the unpredictable climatic conditions prevalent in the world. Do remember that there really are no sure fire methods for being prepared in the event of unforeseen circumstances especially in the case of natural disasters. Nevertheless there are a few tangible measures that we can be geared up for- just in case of unanticipated inclemency.

Before we suggest some measures on the above mentioned topic, we’d like to bring your attention to the following-
 

Forewarned for Natural Disaster’s
 

We suggest preparing and keeping handy a ‘contingency kit’ that contains the below mentioned items-
 

• Water Bottles filled with clean, potable drinking water.
• Dry food packets that wont decompose and which require no refrigeration/ heating
• First Aid medicines and supplies with special attention given to paediatric and emergency supplies
• Soap, Antiseptic Liquid and sterilised gauze/ cotton
• Potassium Permanganate and Alum
• Batteries and Flashlights
• Money
• Umbrella, a few clothes and small foldable mats
• A neat, plastic sealed folder with important documents pertaining to insurance, medical records, copies of property and personal ids, bank account numbers etc. 

Additional to these, there are a few precautions that you should take pertaining to your health, personal belongings and the house in general-

Health
 

• Children: At the highest risk for catching air/ water borne infections, children are the unfortunate sufferers of natural disasters. Ensure that vaccinations are up to date and that any preventive vaccines are duly administered on time.
   
• Adults and Elders: In the case of adults and elders it is vital to get periodical preventive health checks and maintain records in the ‘contingency kit’ especially if a family member needs special medical care. Seek medical attention immediately particularly when persistent colds and chills are affecting you from time to time.
   
• Children and adults should consume only filtered water besides ensuring that boiled water is kept in a water tight thermos.
   
• Consult your family physician and enquire if you can begin with Vitamin C tablets on a daily basis, in particular before the onset of a changing season.
  
  Home

• Mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters and it is pertinent that you ensure safety by cleaning and maintaining areas of the house where water may percolate and fester.
   
• Regularly clean the house with antiseptic or antibacterial liquids.
   
• Fortunately Chennai’s weather is usually sunny and so microbes and germicides are usually eradicated naturally. However, do ensure that you regularly get a good amount of sun for yourself and for the children in particular.

Ensuring care of your motor vehicles

The aftermath of the flood has resulted in many instances wherein people’s vehicles have been irreparably damaged and insurance claims have been rejected because of inadequate servicing before the flood. In some cases, claimants have lost or misplaced their insurance documents and inevitably have been at the mercy of the insurance agent’s whims and fancies.

Avoid this kind of a dilemma by securely keeping the vehicles papers in a sealed, safe place. Originals and photocopies should be carried along in the vehicle and the home.
 

• Check the tyres periodically and keep optimum air pressures at all times.
   
• Service the vehicles regularly specially before the onset of the monsoon season. The battery should be checked and replaced if it has run its life.
   
• If the vehicle is kept idle for long periods of time, ensure that you run it so that the battery stays charged.
   
• Ensure the vehicle’s engine oil and brake oil levels are up to the mark and replaced if need be.
   
• The brake system should be professionally assessed and renewed from time to time.

                                                               Our best wishes for the New Year ahead!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

It’s that joyous time of the year when people from across India and the world are preparing to celebrate the mark of the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. In other words, the festival of Pongal or Makar Sankranti is just around the corner and everyone from the north of India to the south is waiting for it.

What Pongal means in South India

An important harvest festival that has been revered since the olden days, Pongal, as it is known in South India, is as much a joyous occasion today as it was then. Celebrated at the start of the Tamil month, Thai, this festival holds special significance for those whose livelihood is dependent on agriculture.

The special preparation offered to the Sun God - pongal is an especially special occasion, as this is when the family gathers around and when the pongal begins to boil over everyone shouts out "pongalo pongal". Actually meaning ‘boiling over’ in Tamil, Pongal connotes wealth, success and abundance. A time of much rejoicing, people dress up in new clothes and visit their friends and relatives bearing gifts and good wishes.

Men sing and women, apart from cleaning the house and making elaborate culinary preparations, also engross themselves in etching out elaborate kolams at the entrances of their houses besides which the houses will be decorated with mango leaves and the first harvest of the season, usually sheaves of paddy.

The festival celebration continues for four days with each day having its own meaning. Pongal begins with 'Bhogi' and ends with 'Kaanum'. 'Surya Pongal' is the second day and usually most houses cook new rice as a mark to the new crops of the season. The third day is 'Maattu Pongal' day and this is the day when animals, especially the cows and bulls are worshipped. Marked by bull (Jallikattu in Madurai) and bird fights, the third and fourth day of Pongal is usually reserved for this activity.

'Kaanum Pongal', the last and fourth day of the festival is usually reserved as a day for families and relatives to meet and wish each other a ‘Happy Pongal’ and good tidings for the year through.

Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Uttarayana

Soaring kites dotting the sky in Gujarat, dancing the bhangra in Punjab or the fervent distribution of ‘til gul’ laddoos in Maharashtra, the festival of pongal is celebrated in different states of India under different names.

In Gujarat the festival is referred to as 'Uttarayana', while in Punjab it is known as 'Lohri' or Maghi, in Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh the festival is referred to as 'Makar Sankranti'. However, the enthusiasm and energy is the same throughout.

How Chennai celebrates Pongal

The four days of celebration of Pongal are bereft without the kolams and consumption of ‘Pongal’- the sweet dish that is made out of newly harvested rice, jaggery and milk. After observing the religious rituals most Chennaites enjoy the short vacation by either going out to meet relatives or by visiting some nearby holiday destination.

Of the most popular places to visit, we found a few that are easily reachable and which can be enjoyed over a day or two days jaunt. Take a look-

Kanchipuram

The Silk City, City of 1000 temples or the Golden City of Temples, call it what you may, Kanchipuram holds a special place in most peoples hearts owing to its proximity to Chennai city as well as the tradition that is seeped in the city. From the world famous silk sarees to the intricate, architecturally awe-inspiring temples, Kanchipuram is an ideal destination that has something for everyone. What’s more, Kanchipuram is also renowned as being one of the seven sacred cities of India next only to Varanasi.

Well connected by buses or regular trains, Kanchipuram is a mere 72 kms from Chennai.

Pulicat

What draws most Chennaites to Pulicat or Pazhaverkadu is probably the quaintness of this small town. However, that’s not all. Pulicat is located at a distance of 60-65 kms from Chennai and offers all the trappings of a beautiful seashore, lake, bird sanctuary and ethereal natural beauty, all rolled into one.

Ardent bird watchers and those on the quest of the pink flamingos, painted storks, great egrets, pelicans, cormorants, darters and sometimes the purple swamphen are not disappointed as one can find these bird species visiting the Pulicat lake bird sanctuary during the December to January period.

The Pulicat Lake is regarded as India’s second largest saltwater lake and includes the drive-through bird sanctuary within it.

Welcome and Celebrate the Pongal Festival with a heart filled with happiness and gratitude.

Wishing you all a Happy Lohri, Pongal and Makar Sankranti!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

On our journeys as an intrepid traveller we’ve endeavoured to take the road less travelled and discover the many offbeat places that speak of legends, folklore, adventure even spirituality that would otherwise have been lost in the glare of the concrete jungle of Chennai. We did chance upon some really unbelievable places that are worth a dekko time and time again. 

Wanderlust with a purpose
Tucked away amidst glossy skyscrapers, grey malls and the snaky flyovers of Chennai there are still very many hidden gems that are available to those who know where to look.

This time too, we thought of rounding a turn and taking a sneak peek at a museum that has much knowledge to share, for children and adults alike. So we picked to begin our journey from BBCL’s Vajra at Mogappair West. 

BBCL’s Vajra at Mogappair West allows for indulgent living in the heart of Chennai besides offering all the benefits of one of the fastest growing micro-markets of the city. Located just 5 kms from Anna Nagar, BBCL’s Vajra offers the perfect blend of the hustle bustle of the CBD, seclusion that’s away from congestion and traffic besides the rare opportunity of wandering into a must-visit place that is not packed from floor to ceiling with tourists and sightseers. What more could anyone ask for? 

Chug along to the Railway Museum
Starting from BBCL’s Vajra at Mogappair West, one can head to the Regional Rail Museum or the Railway Museum as it is simply called. Located on the New Avadi Road, Konnur, the railway museum is extremely easy to access via the NH205 and one can reach the place in a matter of a mere 20 minutes’ time. In fact, it is just 7.0 kms away from BBCl’s Vajra.

On track with a lesson in rail history

An apt visit for travel and especially locomotive buffs, the museum is thrown open to visitors on all days of the week excepting Mondays. Visitors must enter the museum via a train coach from where you can purchase the entry tickets.
A popular place for those who’d enjoy a lesson in the history of the South Indian rail history, the museum showcases steam locomotives or iron horses as they were called, dating back to the British era. Established in 2002, the Railway museum is a great place to visit with children, more so for older adults who may have travelled in these trains long ago. Besides, children do find it an enlightening experience as there are helpful historical data placards that elucidate on the engines and artefacts displayed there.

There are over forty locomotive models, some of which are thought to have been built by the North British Locomotive Company, dating back to over a century. What’s interesting is that apart from the rail carriages, bogies, tracks and assorted types of trains and engines there are also some old registry’s, rare photographs of the railways, representational models of different trains including that of fairy queen steam engine besides some other relics from the days of past. The ledgers/ registries are a must see especially for those who cannot imagine their life without a computer/ gadget. 

Displays
One can get thoroughly engrossed in the live displays of the vintage coaches from the Nilgiri Mountain Railway besides which there is a rescue train, hand operated crane, Hospital van and Meter gauge steam locomotives apart from many other engines such as Diesel, Fowler steam ploughing, The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Narrow gauge coaches, gauge coaches and the recent electric engines. 

There are live models of train’s signals (the old antiquated ones can be seen in a separate room) besides which there are track crossings, automatic signals and the three tier running model of trains in Chennai. 

If that’s not enough, children can embark on a kiddie toy train that will give them a ride around the campus too. Chargeable separately, the toy train ride costs are minimal as are the entry charges.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

This Christmas, where are you going to shop? Amidst a throng of festive revellers in a crowded yet lively mall or in the peaceful confines of your home sipping a steaming cup of coffee as you click along. Or are you planning to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that as well? Well, not such an easy decision to make, isn’t it?

This shopping conundrum is being faced by many a shopper today and there really is no defining which one is most popular. We’ve put the spotlight on exactly this dilemma and have rounded up some pros and cons of shopping in a mall/ retail store versus e-shopping (online shopping). Showcasing the merits of both, we’ve attempted to present both sides of the coin so that you, as a consumer, can go about making an informed shopping decision this festive season.

THE CASE FOR BRICK AND MORTAR STORES

As far as most people’s childhood memory goes, shopping inevitably meant shuttling about in a few stores and returning home with a bagful of goodies (and the goodies were expected to last for the next 12 months, of course!). Impulse shopping, endless queues outside the dressing room and grabbing sales or deals were unheard of at the time.

However, location of the stores at the time was just as important as it is today. The closer the retail store’s proximity to the home or office the more the reason to shop from there, sometimes even when the costs were a bit higher as compared to other places.

In the case of shopping on online ecommerce portals no such thing really applies as shopping can really be done on the go and accessibility/ location is not really a constraint at all.

HO HO HO…SANTA IS HERE. WHERE ARE YOU?

Possibly, the best thing about shopping at a mall is the festive spirit that simply envelops you and puts in a jolly good mood, irrespective of whether you celebrate the festival or not.

In fact, presently with Christmas and New Year being just around the corner, malls across the world have begun celebrations with Xmas trees and snowflakes adorning most store facades. Santa make their appearances as do the naughty elves. For children, malls during Christmas season are a fun and celebratory place that possibly cannot hold a candle to online portals.

Of course, online shoppers too partake in the revelry as well as most ecommerce websites dish out mouth-watering deals and discounts that are simply too good to resist. What’s more, the ecommerce websites take on a festive look too and it’s hard to simply ignore the festivity in the online space.

SALES, SHOPPERS AND THE JOY OF GIFTING

No denying the fact that online sales have become hugely popular with estimations that this space is growing at the rate of 10 times the rate of offline retail stores/ malls. Shopping on ecommerce sites does prove to be immensely economical as there are no obvious overhead costs to pay for with the final price tag.

Some sites like amazon.in, snapdeal.com, flipkart.com among others introduce special discounts targeting Christmas shoppers. Moreover additional benefits are given out for those availing combo deals. Lifestyle products, electronics, books, health care, food items and exotic gifts are clubbed together thereby presenting a huge saving to the online shopper.

Even Christmas decorations such as purchasing X-mas sweets, trees, wreaths and Christmas cribs are easily available online, albeit a tad costlier compared to offline purchasing.

GIFT CARDS

Gift Cards purchased via offline stores present a good gifting option especially for corporates. The ease of buying a gift that allows for personal convenience and preferences is a cherished souvenir that is always remembered.

Of course, one can always purchase the gift cards that are available online too, however the thought of presenting a tangible gift card, especially when you’re gifting a loved one, is definitely much better compared to the online ones available.

SENDING A CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO A LOVED ONE ABROAD

There really are no two ways about it, hands down online shopping presents the best possible option when you’re thinking of sending gifts to someone living abroad. Not only do the gifts reach on time, so that when you do send something for Christmas it really does reach during Christmas, but also the fact that there is a good deal of cost saving involved.

Moreover, if you’re purchasing from a shopping portal located abroad, you will also be ensuring that the intended gift takes care of the local sensibilities and preferences. So your gift won’t be totally off the mark keeping in mind this factor.

Online or offline, choose wisely and choose well, and while you’re at it, have some fun too. Our best wishes for Christmas the New Year ahead!

There’s much more to Christmas than candlelight and X-mas cheer

It’s the spirit of sweet friendship that brightens all year through…
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness
It’s hope reborn again, for peace for understanding and for goodwill to men!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The IT corridor

The OMR (Old Mahabalipuram road) or the IT corridor, considered to be one of the most prolific highways that has changed the face of areas falling within its ambit is set to develop even further. In fact, one can expect tremendous advancement along this stretch of road in terms of augmented transportation systems, recreational facilities and a financial district no less!

Looking Forward

Set to scale newer heights, the OMR highway with its adjacent areas such as Tambaram, Thoraipakkam, Velachery and Perungudi are expected to see a massive influx of commercial establishments of which strikingly the proposed 187 acre financial city is the highlight. It is thought that the financial city will have within its premises top multinational banks, investment banks and insurance companies.

Furthermore, reports also suggest that there is more development expected along the OMR road with the proposed 1500 acre Japanese township in Thiruporur.

Recreation and Sports

The government is expected to pump in considerable funds in order to augment the OMR and to that end it is thought the governing authority TIDCO- Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation has plans to develop a 25 acre media and entertainment park located on the OMR road.

What’s more, there are ambitious plans for setting up a cycling corridor besides which a 1,500 ­acre sports centre is also on the anvil. The sprawling sports centre will extend along the stretch of the OMR and go up to ECR (East Coast Road). Surely, the highway will be buzzing with vibrant activity with many national and international sporting events that would take place there in the future.

The expansion however is not limited to merely recreation and commercial activity; in fact it is also proposed that many rail over bridges and road widening projects will be undertaken besides which there are plans to set up a multi-level car parking facility at Siruseri- a locality along the OMR road. It is proposed that the multi-level car parking, spread over five acres of land belonging to the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC) will comprise of 20 floors with a capacity to accommodate 2000 cars and bus parking area to park 50 buses at a time. Besides, there are plans afoot of having an amphitheatre, a food court, children’s play area and a commercial complex within the premises. It is also likely that the parking lot will be fully automated, i.e. completely robot controlled.

Its IT all the way @ Thoraipakkam

The Bahwan CyberTek IT Park which is host to Zafin Labs, Beroe Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. among other companies, the Ceedeeyes Tech Park which houses TCS, the ETL Infrastructure - Chennai One which has eminent firms such as Wipro, GDES, Sutherland, HCL, Polaris and Ford besides hosting other notable corporations, the ASV Suntech Park that is home to Deloitte, Renault, Samsung, Cognizant (CTS) and Cisco among other distinguished corporations are all located at Thoraipakkam.

What’s more, there are furthermore 15 to 20 IT parks that are planned in the near future.

Residences to look up to

Many residential projects located in Thoraipakkam have served to address the massive demand for affordable properties here. Notably, BBCL’s Ashraya- A 2 & 3 BHK project is ideal as it comprises of many interesting recreational amenities such as a meditation center, a multi-purpose party hall and a swimming pool.

Besides, BBCL’s Ashraya has an unbeatable superior location access that can take you to the AKDR Golf Village in minutes whilst being a mere 3.5 kms

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Chennai has always been renowned for its industrial base, which, with each passing decade has only expanded and created a stronger foothold in the economy of the country. Backed by a strong automobile and automotive parts manufacturing sector, Chennai has always been a significant partner to India’s growth especially considering its thriving commercial enterprises comprising of manufacturing, electronics hardware and IT industries. As of date, Chennai is considered as the 2nd Financial Capital and the fourth-largest economy of India.

Steady, investor-friendly governance policies have made Chennai a prolific hotspot of commercial activity especially with regard to IT industries. Today, there are many major MNC’s such as Cisco Systems, HCL technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Cognizant Technology Solutions among other large corporations. Much of this boom can be attributed to the emergence of the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram road) and the GST (Grand Southern Trunk road), with the OMR/ Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway popularly touted as the IT corridor.

The IT corridor

One of the best advantages of the IT corridor and probably one of the main reasons for its astounding success is its unparalleled connectivity to the airport as well as to other parts of Chennai. What’s more, as it is a massive stretch of road comprising of six-lanes with service lanes and beautiful landscaping there are negligible traffic woes and road related problems, thereby presenting a seamless drive right up to the IT parks.

If you’re located at BBCl’s Nakhsatra at Perungudi, you can reach Tidel Park- a massive IT park located on the OMR stretch, in less than 10 minutes. It is located at a mere 3 kms distance from BBCl’s Nakshatra, via the OMR road - almost a hop, skip and jump away from the project. As is common knowledge, Tidel Park employs more than 12,000 software professionals who work in the behemoth companies located within the park.

This location advantage does make Nakshatra a premium project that affords working professionals with a commuting convenience besides also presenting every necessity such as schools and colleges, retails markets, shopping plazas and healthcare facilities accessible at short distances from the project.

A star studded highway to success

The OMR highway has been a spectacular boon for Chennai residents for a multitude of reasons, mainly as it has augured exceptionally well for those who invested in areas such as Tambaram, Thoraipakkam, Velachery, Perungudi, ECR and areas nearby to the Siruseri Sipcot IT Park.

Its worth noting at this point that the projections for the Indian IT industry are hovering close to a growth percentile of over 12% p.a. Keeping this in mind it can further be safely assumed that the areas coming within the ambit of the IT corridor will see double digit property price increments in the near future.

Perungudi to Siruseri IT Park

Reaching Siruseri IT Park is a breeze, especially if you’re located at BBCl’s Nakhsatra at Perungudi. You can reach the IT Park via the OMR highway and be there within 25-30 minutes. While this IT Park is renowned for being the largest IT Parks in Asia besides being home to some of the big-wig names in the IT industry such as Financial Software and Solutions, Hexaware Technologies among other corporations, the most notable feature being that of the TCS building - touted as the biggest buildings in Asia, with a capacity to accommodate nearly 30, 000 employees.

The IT Park is completely self sufficient with provisions for a dedicated power sub-station, telephone exchange besides having a committed data connectivity line. What’s more, there are academic and research institutions such as the Mohamed Sathak A.J. College of Engineering, Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Chennai Mathematical Institute and the ITM Business School within the premises of the IT Park.

OMR’s exhaustive road and flyover network

The OMR highway has been at the forefront of providing convenient, seamless access to the regular 30,000 strong vehicular traffic that traverses daily. Moreover, the transport system is also very well-established with connectivity to nearly every part of Chennai. Along the stretch of this highway one can find a bypass road beginning from Siruseri (Padur) that goes up to Thaiyur (beyond the Kelambakkam Junction), besides which there is a superb network of 5 flyovers at major junctions starting from Tidel Park going up to Siruseri.

An existent railway link connects Taramani to Cuddalore via Tiruporur, Mamallapuram, Pondy, besides which the railways have plans to lay a 26.65 km Avadi-Sriperumbudur line and a 179 km Perungudi-Cuddalore railway line that goes via Mahabalipuram.

That’s not all; the government has plans to introduce along the OMR a BRTS- Bus Rapid Transport System, connecting the IT corridor with the adjacent residential areas.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

You got the cosy balcony overlooking the verdant hills just as you always wanted it. However, the balcony still looks vacant and seems devoid of that magical charm which you had initially envisioned. Attempts at bringing it to life with colourful potted ferns and flowering plants seem to have passed with the changing season, besides there always seems to be the issue of privacy from nosy neighbours.

So how then do you infuse your precious balcony space with some much needed vibrancy, privacy and make it last too? Read on, there are a few simple trending tricks that can be implemented right there, in your small/ medium sized veranda.

A place for everything and everything in its place

Most times it seems like everything is jostling for space in the tiny little verandah, but that’s just the way patio’s go. After all, what good is a patio without a patio table and chairs, a recliner, a hammock, some oversized cushions, a bar and a select bookstand at hand. Isn’t that what terraces are for? The truth however is that space is always a constraint, no matter the size of the veranda. True, there are a few ‘essentials’ that can actually be avoided altogether, but it seems a tad lengthy process.

In this series, we aim to suggest making small/ medium sized verandas a melting pot reflection of your personality, a party area, a vegetable/ ornamental garden and a comfy outdoor area of the house- all rolled into one.

Lets get started with a Mini garden-

Having your very own garden is a pleasure that has no parallel. What’s more, if you’re a home-grown veggie junkie you can even get to grow your own food and enjoy it while it’s still fresh. However, given space constraints it may not be possible to maintain a conventional, horizontal garden. Vertical wall gardens come to the rescue in this scenario.

Aside from acting as screens that give you privacy while lending an air of coolness around them, a vertical garden also comes with the added benefit of providing shelter from sunlight and a barrier against dust and flying particles. Simple, handmade posts that are secured to the ground and have a provision for a trellis sort of arrangement work perfectly. Alternately one can also purchase a readymade framework from the market.

Its best recommended to grow plants that thrive well even in arid conditions, so even if there are long absences of no watering it will still survive. Plant varieties such as different types of succulents, herbs, Jade plants, Aloe, peace lily etc. are good options to grow in a vertical garden.

Upcycled containers or pots purchased from stores can be attached or suspended from the framework and viola! Your vertical garden is good to go. What’s more, you can enjoy the greenery and privacy without worrying about watering cycles too (provided you plant the afore mentioned hardy varieties).

Smells like Barbecue

You might need to flip a coin before deciding whether you actually want a fire pit or a barbeque area. Some careful thought about the perils of either will need to be considered especially if you have pets, children or if building permissions are going to be a constraint.

If you host many parties and get together, a barbecue set is a good idea. Alternately if you think that the weather in your city tends to be chilly and you will make more efficient use of a fire pit, install that first. You can even think of making your fire pit double up, if the space and design permits.

Small balconies/ verandah’s can also comfortably accommodate barbecue stations, especially the portable varieties. If you’re planning to get one custom built, ensure that it is placed at a distance from fixed furniture and billowing drapes. Besides, you will also need to make certain that you take some precautions such as keeping it out of children’s way and maintaining a safe distance from clothes, furniture and other flammable materials like paper.

Flying embers are a cause of worry, so do maintain safety standards while using the barbecue set. Keep a look out for portable barbecue stations with wheels and safety screens. It’s a must to have a fire extinguisher at hand.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

It’s customary now for most residential properties, luxury or otherwise to come equipped with a host of fully loaded amenities that make personal living experiences convenient and super comfy whilst simultaneously weaving in work and business expediency.

Features such as business bays, fitness centers or concierge desks are now considered as given conveniences that are a must for the exacting demands of residents. In fact it’s not unusual for residential properties to resemble more on the lines of luxury resorts rather than simple lackluster residences.

The sky is the limit and there really is no dearth of shortage of bespoke residences that fulfill every desire. So what then should you expect if you’re a home buyer looking for a property that will comply with your needs for today and appreciate suitably (or phenomenally) in the future as well?

In this series, we’ll individually take a look at some of the niche amenities that are being offered to the conscientious customers of today whilst presenting an opportunity for realty investors to identify early opportunities in this segment.

Multimedia rooms

Yes, dedicated zones for entertainment and multimedia are no longer things of the past, they are the standing reality of today. As the world moves at lighting speeds with respect to technology, gaming and virtual reality zones are fast becoming a must have feature in residential complexes.

To that end, many developers are imbibing these dedicated zones in their blueprint plans. So while one can expect private Jacuzzi’s and spas conveniently located a few floors below their residences, its not going to be surprising to find private entertainment and multimedia zones located right next to them.

Usually most residential configurations already come pre-designed with multimedia zones within the house itself with special provisions for enabling it with ‘smart’ features. However, lately consumer needs have started gravitating towards incorporating the multimedia zone as a shared community space rather than a private feature solely accessible to the home’s inhabitants.

Many reasons can be attributed to this shift, mainly the fact that many large sized simulators are impractical within the house besides it is more convenient to allocate the multimedia/ entertainment zone outside the house and free up the space within for something else. Perhaps a private pool or a work station, as the individual requirements may go.

Those residential properties already having these sorts of zones allocate enough space so as to accommodate dedicated gaming zones, snug bowling alleys, virtual reality golf courses, cricket pitches and table tennis or lawn tennis simulators among other outdoor sports. What’s more, there will be high end gaming consoles and the latest play stations so that kids and adults alike can partake in their daily doses of some gaming action.

These sort of entertainment zones are not intended purely as leisurely, recreational activities rather an opportunity at family bonding and professional networking intermeshed at one great, fun place, within the residential complex. Moreover as these zones are located within the complex itself, residents are saved from traffic jams and traveling woes- something anyone and everyone appreciates!

Did we mention about the mini theaters/ screening rooms with super plush and comfortable seating options? Those too are very much an integral part of the entertainment zone. So residents can pretty much enjoy a session at the spa, work out at the hi-tech health club and saunter over to the entertainment zones and end the evening either playing some virtual tennis or catch their favorite movie, whatever catches their fancy first.

Who’s buying?

Residential projects in the western countries have fast caught on with these futuristic concepts and it is thought that this will be a rage in the coming years everywhere else in the world too.  In fact, there are quite a few national developers who’ve even begun planning these niche features in their pipeline projects.

However, there is a considerable outlay for the developer and consequently the customer too; hence it is best advised for any new buyer to consider these aspects beforehand. Do remember that the more hi tech and unique the features the better the capital appreciation and salability, especially among NRI investors.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

While the year 2014 saw a whole lot of innovations in terms of colours, designs and evermore emerging trends in fabrics and flooring options, the year 2015 was also bedecked with many improvisations on various aspects of interior and exterior designing. One could especially find a conscious shift towards incorporating the three R’s- reduce, reuse and recycle as well as sustainability in the use of materials and furnishing options.

Ranging from pre-fabricated buildings and energy efficient lightings, furnishing to paint, everything to do with home exterior and interior décor has moved towards ‘responsible designing’ and will perhaps continue to do so even in the year 2016.

Let us take a look at the ways in which developers and interior designers are going that extra mile in order to ensure a happier living space as well as a happier earth.

Rethinking Interiors

The science of interior designing is as much a detailed study as any other science, moreover when you combine it with sustainable methodologies and aesthetic sensibilities there are a large number of possibilities that can be implemented right within the precincts of the house.

The kitchen is one such place that can accommodate not only sustainable ideas but even multitasking utilities that are suited for the modern family’s needs. In other words a flexible working space where one can cook, eat, work and entertain all at once. What’s more, it even incorporates the principles of sustainable living appropriately.

Among the first things to do to get started with a sustainable home is to first get hold of a supplier who keeps a ready stock of eco-friendly products.

The sustainable kitchen

This kitchen will typically incorporate good use of eco-friendly wood besides water and energy efficient fixtures and fittings. Typically the paint or the wood used should also contain lesser levels of formaldehyde or VOC’s, so read the labels carefully before purchasing.

Provisions for a built in composting unit that conveniently converts all the waste into a good form of manure along with energy efficient appliances that reduce the consumption of water and electricity- these are some of the things that a sustainable kitchen should incorporate.

Do remember that the cradle to grave concept is a measure which is used to gauge the collective impact of the material on the environment starting from its birth to its very disposal, i.e its life cycle. This concept also factors in the resources and energy that is utilised to produce the material/ product along with the energy used when the product is put in use.

Living room

While many trends have been seen in living room décor, there are a few simple things that can be implemented in order to increase the longevity of the material and increase its life span for a long time to come. Salvaged wood to design counter tops, recycled furnishings made of organic fabrics, reused art pieces, rubber wood flooring and clever use of dimmers and motion detectors that work to reduce energy costs- these are just some of the tricks that can be employed for sustainable living room decor.

Sofas, fabrics and floors

Fabrics that are made by using reclaimed polyester and nylon sourced from clothing and industrial wastes have been effectively used for interior décor. Besides, there are many interesting floor decor options in the form of rugs fashioned from recycled plastic PET bottles or vintage fabrics that have been refurbished to make a chic floor piece.

In fact one can even find interesting sustainable flooring options that use raw materials procured from renewable sources such as cork and linoleum or slate stone floorings that are made in an eco-friendly way with minimal use of chemicals.

Leather sofas that always relied on usage of heavy metals like chrome for tanning purposes have made way for natural vegetable oils, dyes and waxes for tanning, thereby reducing the VOC release and carbon footprint.

Additionally, technology has been cleverly used so as to introduce variation, bring in the freshness factor and reduce the need for repeated renovations. Think changing digital walls and heat sensitive paint that changes colours and patterns!

Exterior facades

Sustainable innovations have not been limited simply to internal décor rather it has become the buzz word for exteriors too. The scope is not limited only to the recycling of materials but also on providing comprehensive solutions that reduce energy costs over time. Think solar panels, energy efficient architectural designs and eco-friendly concrete mixes.

Go the green concrete way

For quite some time now fly ash has been added to a portion of the cement mix. It has been found that using a good amount of fly ash in the cement does contribute to reduced emissions that would otherwise have been required in the manufacture of traditional concrete mix. Another recent sustainable additive has been that of blast furnace slag, a waste product of iron industries that has been easier to source besides presenting a durable option when added to cement.

Recycled landscaping designs

In this case, the sky is the limit. You can make your landscaping as creative as your imagination permits. Old scraps and bits of cloth, colourful broken glass bottles and salvaged metal mixed in with concrete or even a passive solar landscape design that works to your benefit weather-wise, there really are a whole lot of options to explore.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Civil/ Construction Project Manager

The person in charge of the project in terms of budgets, delivery, construction guidelines and hands-on management on a daily basis with regard to resource utilisation and consultation with technical consultants among other job duties rests with the Project Manager. Just as a Project Manager in other industries is expected to plan and execute the project within timelines and budgets, the construction project manager too engages in the implementation from ground up level whilst ensuring the supply of construction material on a day to day basis.

He/ she is required to give timely updates on the progress of the project to the management. The project engineers, safety officers, site engineers, supervisors, foremen and contractors would typically report to the Construction Project Manager. In fact, they are the primary liaison between the workforce (labour force) and the management and are the key people who decide on the slab wise construction timelines.

Another significant duty of the Project Manager, especially in India, is that of registering and defining the daily wage labour work force requirements at the labour office. An important cornerstone of any construction project, the labour work force is an important resource under the Construction Project Manager and he/she is required to adhere to the specific set of guidelines for their employment.

As the scope of work is considerable, the company typically allocates dedicated Construction Project Managers depending on the size of the project. What’s more, the manager is also responsible for adhering to safety guidelines (especially that of the labour workers), retaining and keeping up the morale of the engineering team as well as the ground level workforce.

The ideal candidate would be a qualified Civil Engineer and it can be said that this role is extremely important, especially during the construction progress.

For aspiring Civil Project Managers, the scope of growth is vast, as it involves liaison with top management, mid level management as well as ground level workforce. Though physically demanding, the role requires optimum organisational skills and a practical know-how of the field. There are a plethora of opportunities to rise up the ranks quickly coupled with attractive compensations for the deserving one.

Sales and Marketing

To be successful in this department you’ll need to begin by understanding that these roles require high levels of perseverance, tenacity and a great deal of understanding of construction terminology and legal parlances.

To be a successful sales person in this industry one does require to be persistent with a quick knack of closing deals, whilst also understanding that there is no product or object to sell rather an emotional, tangible asset that people aspire to own.

The sales person would typically possess inside out knowledge about the constructed/ under construction project and an understanding of the carpet area/ saleable area/ UDS area of the property, efficient liaison with the finance/ accounts team with on-the-fingertip know how of the prevalent housing loan rates from different financial institutions besides being familiar with legal documentations and paperwork involved. He/she will take the customers through the property registration process besides keep abreast with rival realty firms in the market.

It is widely believed that highly experienced candidates from other industries are considered freshers when they foray in the real estate industry for the first time. This is probably attributed to the fact that the realty industry is challenging and requires a thorough understanding of the functioning of the industry. Nonetheless, once you’ve made the cut, attractive incentives and even more lucrative rewards await!

While some small to medium companies often intermingle sales and marketing roles, the case may be different in larger companies. Typically, the marketing incumbent is expected to create brand awareness, work within tight deadlines and generate interest among customers so as to result in good leads and conversions for the sales team.

For the marketing pro it is very important to understand which advertising/ PR/ promotional platform will be best suited for the realty organisation. Having good contacts with advertising/ media houses is definitely something that works in favour of the marketing pro. Likewise, the candidate should have a flair for interpersonal skills with a creative mindset.

For aspiring marketing professionals breakthrough promotional marketing communications and clever advertising that have lead to stellar returns for the realty organisation are key assets. It goes without saying that for deserving candidates the prospects for an outstanding career graph and the exhilarating joy of creating a brand lie ahead!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The structure of a real estate company functions just like any other organisation. Each department is interdependent on the other co-existing divisions within the company, with each employee contributing his/ her bit based on their individual vocations. However, from a broader perspective, there is one significant difference that sets apart the real estate industry from that of other industries.

The ‘Differentiating’ factor

Real estate companies rely quite heavily on ‘humans’ rather than on automation and computerization. In other words, people are the driving force, the life force on which structures and consequently reputations are built. Furthermore, even the built structures are created/ intended for ‘people’. This is perhaps why no computer or automation can replace the importance of the ‘human’ factor in this industry.

Careers that touch the sky

The real estate industry presents as much scope of growth as can be possibly imagined and there really are no limitations for success here. In fact, there are real life examples of people who’ve achieved stellar heights of success that previously were thought of as unattainable. Remarkable, especially if you consider that they began their careers from the bottom rung of the ladder.

Consider real estate as a ‘real’ career option

In this feature, we will attempt to explain and explore the various avenues, section wise, that are available to an aspiring candidate who is planning to become a part of the real estate industry. For those who are already a part of this industry, this will serve to remind you that a career in real estate is one that has its own set of unique challenges,  yet is a highly gratifying and lucrative line of work to be in.

Engineering Department

Civil Engineers

The Civil Engineering department is probably one of the most significant functions of the real estate industry, everywhere in the world. Starting from conception to implementation to final execution, the overall responsibility of delivery, adherence of guidelines and safety protocols rests collectively on the Civil Engineer’s shoulders.

A civil engineer chief role is the design of the project; however it’s not limited to only that. An able civil engineer will in all likelihood have a hands-on supervisory role during the construction phase and after completion, due maintenance with regular upkeep. This is why it is thought that a civil engineer actually possesses a great deal of project management, cost accounting, human resource and administrative skills. Besides, he/she must also be proficient with the doctrines of mathematics, physics, soil types, architectural design and construction with or without the use of computer programs aside from having a sound knowledge of various construction materials and their uses.

Very often, the promoter of the real estate company requires the assistance of civil engineers in order to present the viability and civil technicalities of the project. In these situations, presentation skills are required. Besides, the team of engineers are also actively involved in blueprint design, planning and evaluation of architects.

That said, civil engineers co-ordinate and form a vital link among various other departments within the organisation too. Ranging from project managers, supervisors, safety officers, sub-engineers, surveyors, foremen, architects, construction managers, technicians, contractors, suppliers and site engineers, the civil engineer’s role is multi-faceted and intriguing.

Many aspiring civil engineers prefer to focus on specialisations in order to bring to the table a niche and highly expert attribute. The importance of getting an internship while still an undergraduate cannot be stressed enough. Do remember that an intern does have more edge than a complete fresher. As the civil engineering aspirant may decide, one thing is for certain, the role is extremely important besides it does have lots of scope for innovation and new ideas.

An extremely lucrative line of work with possibilities for a talented engineer to reach the upper echelons and earn for themselves handsome pay packets, Civil Engineering holds a golden promise in the future.

Synopsis

While ensuring that you constantly upgrade yourself with newer skills and technologies, candidates stand in good stead when they have ensured that their online professional presence is distinctly prominent. To that end, freshers and experienced engineering professionals must ensure that their LinkedIn profile is unique and reflective of their current professional experiences, qualifications, achievements, unique skills and subject matter expertise.

Watch out for our next article in the similar vein wherein we’ve explored the many interesting facets of a Civil Project Managers role as well as career opportunities for Real Estate Marketing and Sales professionals.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

In this series, we are talking about the early life and circumstances of great men in the construction industry whilst also presenting their spirit and the immeasurable success that they’ve achieved in the real estate sector.

We’ve spoken at length about Dr Ravi Pillai, a man who came from very humble beginnings yet who rose to great heights in the real estate industry whilst setting a precedent for others to follow.

For those who already belong to the real estate industry, these features may probably serve to remind that this is a fantastic career, one with its own set of unique challenges and rewards. In fact, these real life examples are a case in point that success and recognitions are built on the solid foundations of an individual’s zeal and perseverance, not pedigree or luck.

For those who are aspiring to enter this industry, be assured there are no limits to creative and monetary fulfilments. The real estate industry is one that has limitless opportunities for growth in every vertical, be it architecture or engineering, sales or marketing.

As you will read on, you’ll discover that each of these remarkable people showed gumption, hard work, a doggedness of outperforming themselves and the sagacity to recognise good opportunities that ultimately led them to achieve the pinnacles of success in the real estate industry.

In this feature we talk about the life and times of Sir Ka-shing Li, a real estate, banking, construction, plastics, cement production, hotels and steel production (among countless other business interests) tycoon.

Life and Times of Sir Ka-shing Li

Mr Li was born in 1928 in Chiu Chow, Guangdong province, south-eastern China. Li Ka-shing and his family had to flee from his home country during the war and move to Hong Kong. Soon thereafter his father died of tuberculosis.

As fate would have it, even before he turned 15 years of age he had to quit school in order to shoulder the responsibility of earning bread and supporting his family.  So, he left school and went to work in a plastics trading factory. Gruelling for nearly 16 hours a day, it is said that Li would send almost 90% of his pay to his mother. Nonetheless, he borrowed some funds from friends, relatives and business contacts and in the year 1950, at the age of 22 started his own venture ‘Cheung Kong Industries’ with an investment of approx. $50,000.

His factory- Cheung Kong Industries began manufacturing plastic flowers and subsequently grew in name and fame. His foresight spotted an opportunity as he predicted that the plastics industry would see unprecedented expansion in the future. A prophecy which indeed turn out to be true. But that was not all; in 1979 he spotted an opportunity again, this time with property development.  A real estate baron he did become, that too long before Hong Kong was renowned.

Sir Ka-shing Li believes that it was his willingness to keep abreast of the latest industry trends and his voracious reading habit that taught him invaluable business lessons and ethics. A teacher’s son, Li Ka-shing learnt early on the value of generosity and philanthropy as well as the immense significance of books and continuous self learning.

It is said that even though he didn’t have the opportunity to complete his university education he possessed the gift of learning things for himself autonomously. Mr Li had in fact no prior accounting experience and yet teaching and learning from books, Mr Li himself went about completing the accounting books in the company’s initial first year.

Name & Fame that changed the Game

Today, Sir Ka-shing Li’s Cheung Kong Group business empire spans 55 countries and has a staff of over 260,000 worldwide. The group’s business interests are diversified and include construction, real estate, electric power, hotels, domestic transportation, airports, ports and shipping, retail, investments in apps and the Internet, banking, telecommunications, retail, plastics, cellular phones, satellite TV and steel and cement production among other notable verticals.

He has been ranked as the richest East Asian person in the world as well as the 11th richest person in the world with estimates of his net worth being in excess of $31.9 billion (source: Bloomberg Billionaires Index, April 16,2014). The Times in the UK jointly with Ernst & Young UK have named Mr Li as the Entrepreneur of the Millennium.

Sir Ka-shing Li is not only an active business tycoon but also an equally keen philanthropist. He likes to invest in new innovations and developments that interest him personally, a fact proven by the reality of Mr Li being one of the early investors in Facebook.

Serving as the perfect example of someone who learnt lessons on resilience, humbleness and modesty very early on in life, Mr Li was seen wearing a £30 electric wristwatch in the 90s. The fact that he is regarded as one of the richest persons in Asia, to us Sir Ka-shing Li epitomises the adage ‘it doesn’t matter where you’re from; it matters only where you want to go’.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

‘Global Warming’ are not two mere words in the dictionary anymore and neither are they hushed words spoken only among environmentalists and conservationalists. These two words have become the standing harsh reality facing the world today and if the signs are anything to go by, there are many calamities that all of humanity may possibly be ill-prepared for.

In the case of the recent floods in Chennai many theories and conjectures are being drawn. Some others have called this a consequence of El Niño while most others prefer to pin it on inadequate desilting in the city’s creeks and drainages. As the case may be, one thing is for certain, climate change is happening all around the globe and there have been one too many instances for anyone to ignore.

What is Global warming- Simplified

In simple lay man terms, global warming means the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. An average increase of temperature that can and does cause changes in the global climate. Why does the temperature increase? Greenhouse gases contribute to an increased temperature in the earth’s atmosphere. As more and more greenhouse gases get released in the atmosphere, there is a sort of confinement of the gases thereby resulting in increased overall temperatures of the earth. Similar to a catch 22 situation!

Effects of Global Warming- Climate Change

To say that the effects of greenhouse gas effects are devastating and catastrophic is merely not enough. Severe repercussions such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, elimination of fresh water bodies, melting glaciers because of increased temperatures, rising levels of sea water and thereby the threat of displacement of coastal communities, are all the expected consequences of climate change.

Another aspect that indirectly gets affected as a consequence of global warming is food security. One has to only visualise the kind of negative impact that these kind of disturbances cause to food production and agriculture. To put it in perspective, there are many cities and villages in India that are agrarian based, of which it is estimated that over 68% of it is susceptible to drought. Here we are not even taking into account the already persistent areas that are drought prone.

In effect, global warming and climate change are indeed worrisome factors that need to be given proper, timely and targeted responses not by one man/ woman alone, neither by a single town or a city, rather by the entire country, and by example, the rest of the world as well!

What we can do today. Wait! What we should have done yesterday

There are huge, massive steps that will need to be implemented on a global level if at all we are to see any tangible reversal effects of global warming. Besides, even after taking these steps there’s really no saying that the effects are going to be reversed. But really! Those are steps that are on a national and international level. What can one ordinary citizen do about a gargantuan task such as this? Nothing.

Not true!
 

Below we enumerate some of the practical, effortless things that can be done on a day to day basis, at home or at work. What’s more, they’ll even contribute to a healthier you in the process.

Cycle, walk or carpool

Cycling and walking will get you to eliminate those precious calories while eliminating (or at least reducing) your carbon dioxide emissions too. If you find cycling in formal workwear too tedious, try carpooling.

You will most likely find many co workers who live in nearby areas and it’s possible that there already exists a carpool in your area. Even when you carpool just for a few days of the week you will actually be reducing your emissions by almost half. Do remember that one of the biggest culprits of emissions are fume spewing vehicles.

R, R and R

Yes, we mean reduce, recycle and reuse. In fact, there are very many little things that you might find within your work space or in your house that can be given a second lease of life by recycling and reusing. Most importantly, while shopping it is pertinent that you insist on jute bags or reusing the bags that may be lying around at home. It’s just as simple as that.

Do remember that the ordinary looking disposable plastic bag waste releases harmful CO2 and methane gases in the atmosphere. Besides, they are the biggest culprits that pollute the water we drink, the air we breathe and the soil our food comes from.

Another thing that’s worth remembering is that of purchasing products that come with minimal packaging. Unnecessary plastic wrappings are simply a big waste.

If it’s a birthday or an anniversary, go plant a tree

Trees have the capacity to absorb nearly 22 kgs of CO2 in a single year, over its entire life it can absorb over a ton of CO2. Cooling shade, luscious fruits and flowers aside, trees are our green saviours and disaster averting sentinels. So the next time there’s a celebration, do the earth a favour and go plant a sapling.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Some have termed the recent flood in Chennai as the highest rainfall received in 115 years while most others refer to it as the most catastrophic rain of Chennai to date. Call it as you may, one thing is for certain, Chennai has got a whole lot to deal with now.

Naturally, as it happens after any calamity, many questions begin to come to the surface. Points are raised with many deliberations such as what could have been done better and whether this could have been averted in any way? Could there have been a more sound response mechanism or a more resilient disaster management machinery in place? Was the flooding only a natural consequence considering that it did rain for a good many days on end and so on and so forth? On the other hand, especially if you reflect on it from a philosophical angle, is of the helplessness of mankind as also the fallacies of human before nature. The questions are endless and the answers, well, they lead to a more complex maze of related questions all over again.

What now?

Going forward, is there something tangible and solid that we can do so as to prevent such calamities from happening again? Or better still, can we all unite together as one and find a way of walking hand-in-hand with nature and urban expansion so that when we do come face to face with a catastrophe, we can stand collectively - alert and prepared for the impact.

The aftermath- Check these thoroughly

Images of havoc and water flooded streets are probably something that will remain etched on the minds of the people of Chennai forever. In wake of the aftermath of the flood as the city limps back to life and people slowly find their feet once again, there are a few things that we can collectively implement in order to ensure the health and safety of our own selves and of everyone around us.

Drinking water

In the aftermath of the flood it is best advised to take absolute precaution in drinking water. In fact, it is best to assume that water may not be absolutely safe for consumption. It is possible that during the flood drinking water has come in contact with external contaminations such as micro-organisms, sewage, industrial waste and effluent water, perhaps even some chemicals. This sort of water can cause serious illness and it is best advised to exercise caution before using it for personal consumption.

It is suggested that you use water that is filtered through a reliable water purification system or in case of using tap water the water must be thoroughly brought to a boil and be allowed to boil for a few minutes.

Another thing to bear in mind is that if you have been caught up in the flood and have possibly come in direct contact with the floodwater, do get a health check immediately and rule out any possibility of any illnesses and bacterial infections, especially so if you suffered an open wound or cut during the time of flood.

Safety with Children

For those with children, it is best to ensure that the children have been thoroughly washed and bathed with antiseptic soap especially so after they have touched objects that may have been caught in the flood. Seek medical advice immediately in case of fever, diarrhoea, or pains of any sort.

Flood contaminated clothes, toys, household objects, bedsheets and things that can be washed and sanitised must be done so with hot water and detergent before use.

Do remember that if your house is insured then you must get in touch with the insurance agency/ officials before you can go about salvaging and cleaning the house. Remember to take photographs of the house beforehand.

Food

It goes without saying that flood water contaminated food must be discarded immediately and with all due precautions. Fruits, vegetables or food that may have been stored in plastic containers, tins and cans, paper or cloth run the risk of flood water contamination. Similarly, if you have home grown vegetables/ herbs/ fruits, do ensure that you discard the produce, especially if there is a remote chance that it may have been flood contaminated.

Thoroughly clean, sanitise and disinfect the kitchen surfaces, fridge, storage shelves and cupboards and all the kitchenware such as cutting boards, plates, cups, pans and crockery. Wooden utensils and cutlery, especially cutting boards must be discarded if contaminated by floodwater.

Electrical Goods and Equipment

In the case of Electrical Goods and Equipment after a flood crisis, it pays to step back first and assess the situation. If your work place, shop or house has been caught in the floodwater, it is best advised to run an external check first-

Never step into a flood-damaged place until and unless the governing authorities have advised to do so. Even after, it is best that a qualified official from the power/ electricity department has removed the electrical meter from its socket. Under no circumstances must you venture in flood affected areas alone. Do remember that in some rare occasions, there may be loose, disconnected wires that are exposed to water.

Electrical equipment in the house is usually rendered useless after it has been flood hit. The best thing to do in this circumstance is to contact the insurance agency/ officials before you can even enter the house. Follow their advice and remember to take photographs of the house beforehand.

Seek the help of a qualified, trustworthy electrician who will thoroughly assess the house, especially the circuits, grounding and bonding of the house and the society where you reside.

Envisage A Plastic Free Chennai

Lastly, this one is a vision for a future that is plastic bag and plastic bottle free. As anyone can vouch for, the floods brought to the surface refuse, especially that of tons of plastic bags and containers that seemed to have clogged and suffocated the very lifeline of Chennai. Let’s all come together and envisage a plastic free Chennai! It’s not that hard, not if we truly try.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

If you look at history, you’ll find it full of numerous instances of people who’ve worked their way up by starting off with nothing more than a big Zero, yet whose wealth and fortunes today are estimated to be 6 to 9 Zeroes long. So how did they achieve what they did, knowing that did not have a rich daddy or a wealthy relative to bank on? Was it merely luck or sheer hard work, or perhaps a winning combination of both?

As the case may be, here we will not attempt to decode what made them wealthy and neither will we trying to decipher the secret of their success, rather we’re simply focusing on their circumstances,  their personas and the mammoth success that they’ve achieved in their life.

Our focus is on the ‘super achievers’ of the real estate industry.

Ravi Pillai,

Padma Shri Dr. Ravi Pillai is MD RP Group of Companies with twenty multidimensional, diverse companies that come under the RP Group umbrella. In the years 1978 – 1984, the RP Group established its construction business in Saudi Arabia in 1978 following which the Nasser S. Al Hajri Corporation was founded in the Kingdom. It is in these early years that the RP group constructed the Royal Air Terminal at Riyadh Airport. The years thereafter, well, there was just no looking back!

Today, it is estimated that Dr Ravi Pillai ranks 30 among India’s richest 100, the second richest Indian in the GCC, with an asset base in excess of over $2.8 billion. The RP Group has business operations in the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Africa, employing over 80,000 people and there are myriad hopes that the company is set to achieve even greater heights than ever before.

Dr Pillai’s background

Dr Ravi Pillai was born near Kollam in Kerala, not to a big business family rather to a family of farmers. It is said that when he was 14 years of age he began his first business, that of trading coconuts, which as he has confessed, was to pay for his school books, stationery or catch the one off movie. Nonetheless, his dreams and aspirations were sky high and it is thought that he always dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur.

His first few steps in this direction led him to start a chit fund, which he found suitably profitable. In fact, he went on to utilise the profits earned from the fund to support his evening class MBA. However, it was the construction sector that lured him and it was there that he found his calling.

Soon, sometime during the early 1970’s he began to realise his ambition by undertaking commissions for oil refinery and chemical businesses. However there was a crucial juncture when the labourers went on a strike and as described by Dr Ravi Pillai that was his brush with disappointment. Nonetheless, thereafter in 1979, at the age of 24, armed with whatever he had saved up, he packed his bags and headed to Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.

Tryst with success

Having moved to a new country, knowing no one must have been obviously difficult for him, nevertheless not one to take difficulties lying down, Dr Ravi forged ahead fuelled by his ambition. Having worked with a business partner, which ultimately did not work out, Dr Pillai began work with a businessman - Nasser Al-Hajri.

A small company at the time of Dr Pillai’s joining; the Nasser Al-Hajri Corporation is today regarded as a mammoth, highly reputable general construction contractor in the Middle East. When the RP Group of Companies was formed, the Nasser Al-Hajri Corporation was incorporated under the group umbrella.

Soaring High
 

Today, the RP group of companies is a formidable force in the real estate/ construction sector in the GCC. An established name in this industry, the company has successfully built oil refineries and gas plants with many large corporations making a beeline to the group as their construction partner of choice.

But that's not all; the RP group has set its sights even further. The group has invested US$ 1.5 billion towards the launch of two signature projects that are an example of the group’s mission towards excellence in the real estate industry.

The Accolades

Awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2008 and the Padma Shri in 2010, Dr Ravi Pillai is a man who has redefined success and sharp business acumen.

To us, he also defines the power of lofty ambitions and the power of big dreams!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The globalised world of today is indeed a small place, one which is full of fantastic career opportunities for everyone irrespective of boundaries, colour or creed. A paradigm shift from traditional thought processes, the workforce of today seeks better and bigger opportunities in distant and newer shores. There’s a massive migrant population influx in every city, metro and semi-urban city that has moved away from their mother town in search of employment opportunities elsewhere.

While this scenario applies for nearly about any place on earth, if one is to describe the situation in India, it can be said that a few key sectors are at the helm for opening up a world of employment opportunities, especially over the last few decades or so.

What came first?

The growing economy of the country, the constant requirement for an upwardly mobile, specialised workforce and the need for creating a realm with an abundant supply of basic amenities such as food and housing that sufficiently caters to this segment are interwoven, interdependent concepts that are today more relevant than ever before.

The sunrise sectors

Traditionally agriculture has been the largest employment-generating sector in our country. However in the recent years biotech, IT, telecom, travel and hospitality have emerged as star employers too. Nevertheless, the importance of real estate as one of the most significant employment-generating sectors is undoubted. In fact, today it is hailed as the second-largest employment creator after agriculture.

It’s important to note here that real estate does not merely mean residential housing, retail or commercial buildings rather it encompasses the small, medium and large gamut of the entire sector of real estate including institutions, transportation hubs like airports, bus/ railway stations, ports, recreational places, sports grounds and so on.

In effect, it’s easy to gauge that the scope and potential of the employment opportunities in realty are endless on a micro and macro level. What’s more, one must also consider that there are a plethora of direct as well as indirect employment opportunities if you take into account the supplementary industries connected to it. Over 250 industries operate on the basis of allied demand for resources such as cement, architectural/ interior designs, property consultants, steel, electrical white goods, paint, transportation, plumbing and sanitary fittings, furnishings, brick and building materials. Not to mention the tertiary employment it creates for sectors such as housekeeping, accounting services and so on.

The road map for the real estate industry

The scenario for the real estate industry in India is extremely lucrative right now. As of today, the industry is growing at a rate of 20% p.a. contributing nearly 5-6% to India’s GDP. Acknowledged as one of crucial employers, the realty industry has been ranked third among the 14 major sectors of the Indian economy.

This sector been lauded internationally and is considered to be one of the key drivers for stimulating the economy of India. With a booming forecast of 30 percent growth in the coming years, the industry holds a lot of promise for aspiring candidates and for industry stalwarts in the future.

Additionally, a cursory look at the figures indicates how robust this sector already is. As of date, the five leading real estate companies of India are believed to presently provide jobs for more than 2, 00,000 people pan India. Moreover, with India’s real estate industry being considered as the fifth largest destination of FDI (foreign investment) one can only say that the employment prospects will be outstanding and forever growing.

What future does it hold? For whom?

While it is a thriving and fast paced industry with great potential one can say that in order to flourish here, a good amount of industry experience is required. There are properties well worth many crores and inexperience can be a costly affair.

Entry level jobs, though not many, can be sought in verticals such as front office executives, receptionists, junior/ assistant brokers and property managers, assistant draftsmen and as junior leasing consultants.

The sales function is considered as a vital department and one can seek opportunities as sales assistants/ administrators and telecallers. Along  with creating a good knowledge about the sector, this vertical allows for additional income generated via commissions and incentives. Many high level designations can be sought out for experienced candidates.

Human resource, engineering, accounting, technology, marketing communications, administrative and housekeeping are the other crucial verticals of the real estate industry wherein huge potentials for employment can be successfully pursued.

Forecasts for this industry suggest that Indian real estate alone will create more than 17 million work opportunities by 2025.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

How does the thought of combining spirituality and an artistic sojourn that will take you right in the heart of Chennai sound? Put on your seat belts, because that’s where we’re headed to next!

Put your foot on the accelerator and get on the high highway, the ECR highway that is. This time round, we commenced our journey from BBCL’s Nakshatra at Perungudi. The reason being that from Perungudi it takes less than 30-40 minutes to reach the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (ISKCON Temple) and a mere 20 minutes to reach the Cholamandal Artists Village. What’s more, BBCL’s Nakshatra at Perungudi is located a mere 2 minutes away from the Perungudi Toll plaza while the Taramani Railway station is less than 4 kms away. Thiruvanmiyur is just 7 kms away.

The residents of Nakshatra are truly at an advantage as they have express access to IT parks and office hubs, education centres besides all the cultural and shopping spots in Chennai.

A spiritual sojourn- 20-25 minutes from Nakshatra.

Starting from BBCL’s Nakshatra at Perungudi we decided to pay a visit to Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON Temple) located on the East Coast Road at Akkarai, Sholinganallur. The temple happens to be at a distance of just 20-25 minutes if one takes the route via the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Rd) or even the Rajiv Gandhi IT expressway.

Built on 45,000 sq ft of land, the temple premises are large, made in pristine white marble and extremely well maintained. It is thought that this temple is the largest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu.

There are no entry charges for the Temple and one can plan a visit according to the aarti or the special seasonal timings that will be mentioned on the boards here or even visit their website for the same. It is a spiritual and an enlightening visit as one will find many posters and displays explaining and elucidating the Vaishnava faith. The aarti’s in the evenings are usually very lively with devotional music and dance wherein everyone participates whole-heartedly.

The temple is spread over 1.5 acres and comprises of five levels with a broad marble stairway leading to the 7,000 sq ft temple hall wherein three teakwood altars are located on the first floor. The ground floor comprises of an auditorium where the temple’s cultural and spiritual programmes are conducted besides there are a couple of shops from where one can purchase some idols, Gomutra Arka or distilled cow urine,  books on Lord Krishna, and pictures among other things. The prasadam hall is in the basement.

The teakwood altars located on the first floor house the deities worshipped at the temple- Rukmini and Krishna accompanied with their companions Lalita and Vishaka. At the other altar one can find images of Chaitanya and Nityananda while the third altar has the statues of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. The other deities worshipped at the temple such as deity Satyabhama, who is one of the eight wives of Krishna and deity Gaura-Nitai are also housed in the temple premises.

There is plenty of vehicle parking space at the temple premises and the beach is not too far from the temple. Besides this, the Buckingham Canal can be found a few yards behind.

Art anyone? It’s just 20 minutes from BBCL’s Nakshatra at Perungudi.

To reach this place, you can take the ECR road (East Coast road) and within a span of 20 minutes or 7 kms you should be here. Not just an art lover’s paradise, the Cholamandal Artists’ Village is a nice getaway even for those who like to do the ‘different’.

Spread over 10 acres of land, the Cholamandal Artists’ Village is considered as one of India’s largest self-supporting artists’ village. Intended as a means of giving a lease of life to contemporary Indian art, the artists village was founded in 1965 by K.C.S. Paniker, who is a painter himself. The village is an artist’s community, comprising of near about 30 artists who live together in the premises.

One is free to view the artwork in the two painting/art gallery halls here besides which one can also purchase the paintings and hand made sculptures. There’s a gallery hall on the ground floor and first floor with one more air-conditioned gallery which is in a small building adjacent to the main gallery.

At one of the museum/ galleries- The K.C.S.Paniker Museum of Madras Movement one can view the works of Mr.Panicker as well as artworks of the artists who lived here such as K.C.S.Paniker, Thotta Tharani, and Adhimoolam among others. Another such gallery displays Mr.Panicker’s students work besides there’s also a separate gallery displaying various artists’ artworks here.

A very interesting concept that has been brought to life, the artist’s village houses the artists’ individual homes/ cottages. A sight to see as their houses are built and decorated uniquely and artistically. Usually artists have to apply for the residences that double up as their studio facilities for a period of 11 months.

As you walk though the premises you will come upon the various unique sculptures in the international open-air sculpture garden. There’s also a small café called Shiraz within the premises itself. If one so desires, there are two 400 sq. feet guest houses that are available on rent, besides which the two studios- Labernum & Indigo are also available on rent.

Comprising of abstracts, expressionism and contemporary art paintings one will also find sculptures made with copper and brass, stone and cement. Do remember that there is a small entry charge and photography is not allowed inside the gallery. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of an artist busy at work!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Dust off those city blues and head straight to a placid lake besides also visiting a cultural and architectural landmark of Chennai. Yes, this time we’re on our way to the calm Puzhal Lake and the inspirational Vivekananda House.

We picked to begin our expedition from BBCL’s Navarathina at Ambattur. Located near to the Ambattur lake, this project is in close proximity to the Chennai Bypass road, India Land IT and Ambit IT park. The Ramachandra Hospital in close vicinity while the Dunlop Factory is a mere 2 kms away. Other key locations such as Mogappair are at a distance of 5 kms while Anna Nagar is just 10 kms away.

Recreational places such as the Puzhal lake and the Vivekananda House besides other interesting places to see are not too far away from BBCL’s Navarathina.

Calm waters and a lazy picnic day.

Starting from BBCL’s Navarathina at Ambattur we reached Puzhal Lake in roughly about 20-23 minutes. It is at a distance of about 11 kms via the Ambattur high road or the Surapet Main road, whichever way you prefer. Also known as the Red Hills Lake, the Puzhal Eri is a sight for sore eyes, especially on a windy day when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.

A man-made lake, the Puzhal Eri is rain-fed and is considered a significant one as it is one of the three water reservoirs that supply water to Chennai city. It was originally constructed in 1876 and was later expanded to accommodate the Krishna river water from Andhra Pradesh.

There’s a stretch of road, several kilometres long, to one side of the lake, which is slightly elevated on a platform and though the entire stretch of approach road is not motorable, one can definitely use a bicycle or a motorbike. If you are travelling in a car, you may need to park it at some distance as the roads are not in a very good condition.

There are a good number of photographs that can be taken from a distance, especially the of the large intake tower on which "Jones Tower 1881" is inscribed, besides which there’s a dam that can be viewed from the afore mentioned road. The mornings are a busy time as many walking and running groups prefer to use this road undeterred.

However, do remember that you will need to keep a look out for the entrance to the Lake’s approach road. If you’re en route to Redhills you will find an opening on the left side.

From BBCL’s Navarathina at Ambattur to Vivekananda House- in 40 minutes.

Commencing from BBCL’s Navarathina at Ambattur one can reach an important landmark that has been home to one of India’s greatest and most inspirational leaders- Swami Vivekananda. To reach Ice House or Vivekananda House from Ambattur one can take the NH205 or the Chennai - Thiruttani - Renigunta highway and reach in a matter of 40 minutes or 18-20 kms.

Earlier known as Ice House, the building served as the residence of an ice merchant named Fredric Tudor. In the year 1833, Fredric Tudor brought ice from Boston, USA to India and built houses so as to store the ice in properly insulated places. Chennai being one such house he built his residences in two other cities namely Calcutta, and Mumbai. It is thought that this was the first time ice was brought to India.

Styled in a Victorian architectural design, the Ice House served as Fredric Tudor’s storehouse following which it was purchased by Chennai based lawyer- Biligiri Iyengar. A renowned lawyer, Biligiri Iyengar was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda.

After Swami Vivekananda’s successful tour of the West when he returned to India via Chennai the ice house served as his home for 9 days between February 6, 1897 and February 15, 1897, during which time Swami Vivekananda delivered seven rousing speeches. Closely connected with the Sri Ramkrishna Math since 1897, the Vivekananda House or Vivekanandar Illam in Tamil was leased to the Ramakrishna Mission in February 1997, a hundred years after Swami's visit to Chennai, for exhibiting the life, work and some cultural artefacts related to Swami Vivekananda as well as displaying the cultural history of India.

A circular structure, the building has a circular core, semicircular corridors, hemispherical dome and a square plan. The ground floor of the building displays Swami’s photographs during the time of his 9 day visit in February 1897, besides also displaying some pictures which give a narration of the buildings history. Do remember that photography of any of the displays showcased in the building is not permitted.

On the first floor the ancient Indian scriptures namely Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas are explained pictorically in lay man terms so as to make it easy to comprehend. A unique feature at the building is the presence of a mini theatre on the second floor wherein they show a 3D movie of Swami’s rousing speech in Chicago in which he had famously said "Sisters and brothers of America!" and received a standing ovation from a crowd of seven thousand people. Further on, the movie also speaks of Swami’s “Frog in the well” story.

One can view over 150 rare photographs of Swami Vivekanda depicting his life and work besides which one can also take a look at his room when he resided here. It has been converted into a meditation room now and has a small pedestal with his statue adorned with flowers.

There are many meditation and yoga sessions that are conducted here and one can enquire beforehand about these activities. Though it can be said that Vivekananda House was built a very long time ago, the building itself is nicely maintained and a must visit for an enlightening experience.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Living at Thoraipakkam is a unique experience that gives you an opportunity to experience the perfect work-life balance besides also bringing you close to nature and its wondrous creations. The journey of this discovery began from BBCL’s Ashraya project in Thoraipakkam, a location where seemingly every manmade convenience is located at a stone’s throw distance, be it schools, malls or offices. But what about nature? Surely, there was no room for that! This is where we turned out to be wrong and grossly so.

20 minutes away from nature’s glory

Starting from BBCL’s Ashraya project in Thoraipakkam one can take the OMR (Old Mahabalipuram road) and the ECR (East Coast road) to reach Injambakkam where the famed olive beach is located. This is among the few beaches in the world where the olive ridley turtles come during the nesting season.

The nesting period

Come December and the nesting period of the famous olive ridley turtles begins. A much awaited and anticipated event, the nesting period goes on till March with the culmination of the hatchlings making their way to the sea following the moonlight’s reflection.  Enthusiasts and nature lovers descend in droves to take a peek at the nests and to get some highly coveted pictures of the nesting turtles.

There are organised moonlight walks that are conducted by the Students’ Sea Turtle Conservation of Chennai so as to create awareness about this endangered species as also to give people an opportunity to view up close nature’s interdependent relationship with the ecosystem.

Particularly of interest to children, watching the turtle’s go about nesting and laying eggs is a unique experience altogether. The smallest species from among all the sea turtles, this entire process is something that the olive ridley turtle’s have been doing for more than 100 million years.

Pallikaranai Wetlands- 15 mins away

Commencing the journey from BBCL’s Ashraya in Thoraipakkam one can take the 200 feet Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam road and reach the marshland. The wetland is a vibrant and thriving ecosystem that is home to native plants, reptiles, amphibians, fish and nearly 40,000 birds that includes some rare species apart from many local and migratory birds that come from all over the world during the migratory season. However, that’s not all; the marshland is also considered as Chennai’s natural primary groundwater recharging system.

Believed to be one of the 94 wetlands in India and among the few remaining marshes in South India, the Pallikaranai wetland is thought to be very significant as it is regarded as the only surviving one in Chennai.

Covering an expanse of over 1500 acres of land and water, the marsh is a prioritized wetland in India, besides also having in its premises a protected reserve forest. There are designated bird watching areas with three watchtowers that have been put up along the fringe areas of the wetland. The marsh is a must visit as many rare, endangered and beautiful birds such as pheasant-tailed Jacanas, purple swamphen-Moorhens, Fulvour whistling ducks,  koots, kingfishers, flamingo’s, pelicans, grebes and many more species of birds frequently visit the wetland.

Many initiatives by environmentalists and civic authorities are being taken to address the dumping and encroachment problems at the marshland. However, in spite of issues the splendid biodiversity that currently exists is a thing to see and behold.

Thriving Thoraipakkam

With so much to see and do, right from the main city centre, surely gadget addiction and binge channel surfing are things of the past! Furthermore, living at BBCL’s Ashraya in Thoraipakkam does indeed prove that man and nature can and do co-exist peacefully.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Hidden folk lore and flourishing gifts of nature found right within the precincts of Chennai sounds surreal for sure. But as we’ve discovered in the recent past, there’s much to seek, provided you know where to look.

The continuing journey

This time our expedition began from BBCL’s Harshika at Pallavaram, which happens to be just a few paces away from all the urban conveniences that are a must for effortless everyday living. The DLF and MEPZ IT Parks, the Pallavaram bus stand and railway station and the Chennai airport are just a few kilometres away from Harshika. What’s more, there are many such pleasant surprises that pander to the metropolitan explorer or the history buff, as the case may be.

A revered temple at Madambakkam- 30-35 minutes away

Start off from BBCL’s Harshika at Pallavaram and within a short 10-11 km distance you will find yourself in Madambakkam. Many roads will lead you there, namely the GST road (Grand Southern Trunk Rd), the Irumbuliyur - Mudichur - Oragadam road, the Nagapattinam-Chennai highway, NH45 or the Tiruchi Chennai highway. Once you reach Madambakkam, ask for directions to reach the Dhenupureeswarar Temple.

A regal walk down memory lane

The Dhenupureeswarar temple located in modern day Madambakkam was earlier known as Ulaguyyavanda-Chola Chaturvedimangalam and is believed to have been built by Parantaka Chola II, the father of Great Raja Raja Chola I. Parantaka Chola II, also known as Sundara Chola, the 2nd Pranthaka Chozhan (10th AD) is believed to have built only the sanctum sanctorum with the temple being rebuilt of stone sometime during the supremacy of Kulottunga Chola I.

It is believed that Madambakkam being a small hamlet metamorphosed later on when the Vijayanagar Rulers handed over the ownership of the entire region to them.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Dhenupureeswarar (another local name of lord Shiva) temple has quite a legendary history to its credit. It is believed that the temple was maintained over the years by different dynasties beginning from the Chola empire going up to the Vijayanagar Empire. Many inscriptions and beautiful pillars in the Mandapam adorn the temple and tell the story of the days past.

A strikingly beautiful, historical monument, the temple complex is considered a fine example of architectural brilliance that dates back thousands of years. In the main sanctum (Garbha Griha) of the temple one will find Lord Dhenupureeswara in linga form, facing east.  A Swayambu, the lingam is regarded as one of the smallest lingams in the world and is furthermore intriguing as it is difficult to ascertain what substance the lingam is made up of. The sanctum is the oldest structure in the temple is apsidal in shape or shaped like the back (Gajaprishtam) of a sleeping elephant.

Currently a protected monument under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Dhenupureeswarar temple complex is neatly maintained with lush green trees besides an allocated space for parking vehicles. What’s more, you can even combine a visit to the 18 Siddhar Temple, which is just opposite to the Dhenupureeswarar temple besides also visiting the Skandashramam temple near Rajakilpakkam.

Feathered friends- 25 minutes away

Don’t unpack that camera just yet, there’s another interesting place that’s extremely close to BBCL’s Harshika at Pallavaram - the Nanmangalam Reserve Forest. At an easy distance of 8 kms from Pallavaram, one can take the 200 Feet road or the Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam road and reach the luxuriant premises of the reserve forest in less than 20-25 minutes time.

An abundant scrub forest of deciduous, thorny shrubs, the Nanmangalam reserve forest (NRF) is home to many exotic species of flora and fauna. Once a target practice ground of the Indian Military, the forest comprises of over 320 hectares of over 500 thriving species of animals and rare plants of which one can find more than 83 species of birds.

A few kilometres west of the Pallikaranai marshland, the NRF grounds also have within its precincts an abandoned quarry which is home to a dozen horned owls. The quarrying work had been brought to a halt three years later, in 1985, post the passing of the Forest Conservation Act.

Birds such as the red-wattled lapwing, yellow footed pigeon, crested honey buzzard, long -tailed Minivet, grey partridge, coucal, southern bush lark even migratory birds like the Rosy Pastor have been spotted here. Nonetheless, it’s not just the bird spotting that attracts people here; one can also find some exotic species of animals such as the black-naped hare and jackals among other small mammals. In fact, some have even found here unusual insects resembling the ones found in the Himalayas.

There is no entry charge; however you will need prior permission from the forest department. The entrance to NRF is via the Velachery main road.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

How about a visit to a bustling market that is teeming with a frenzy of activity all through the day? Or perhaps a few solitary hours spent in paying homage to those who laid down their lives in service of their own homeland? Either ways, you’re not too far from Manapakkam.

9 minutes from Manapakkam

A few paces from BBCL’s Stanburry at Manapakkam, via the Manapakkam road and Mount Poonamalle High road, lies the Madras War Memorial or the Madras War Cemetery. Located on a busy road near Guindy, for obvious reasons the cemetery is not on every tourists ‘must-see’ list perhaps that explains the quietness and peace here.

Set up in 1952, the Imperial War Graves Commission, now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC, in conjunction with the Government of India built the memorial and cemetery to honour the men and women who valiantly relinquished their lives in World War II. Currently supervised by ‘The Common Wealth War Graves Commission’, the cemetery has 856 Commonwealth burials within its grounds.

Impeccably maintained, the War Memorial is situated towards the rear end of the Madras War Cemetery. As is custom with most large CWGC cemeteries one will first find the Stone of Remembrance inscribed with "Their name liveth for evermore" while further on is the Cross of Sacrifice, which is mounted on an octagonal base with a bronze longsword, blade down, set upon its shaft.

Intended to serve as a remembrance to the British soldiers who sacrificed their lives in both the World Wars, one can find that the memorial commemorates, on plaques, the names of the British soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945.

The memorial serves to remind the sacrifice of over 1,000 servicemen who died in the line of duty in World War I. Their names are permanently inscribed here so as to remember their sacrifice, while it was considered that their graves, lying in various civil and cantonment cemeteries across India may not be assuredly maintained forever.

The war cemetery has buried within its grounds many Commonwealth men and women of different countries such as UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, West Africa and India besides one Polish airman who died in the line of duty.

Designed on the lines of a "Lawn Cemetery", the memorial and the cemetery grounds are neatly maintained but are nonetheless restricted area; you will need to secure prior permission from the cemetery manager. While there may not be much to do besides enjoying the immaculate grounds, this place does serve to give some much needed solitude. Considering that it is located on the busy Mount Poonamalle road, at a distance of just 5 kilometres from the airport, one can probably combine this visit with a trip to Saint Thomas Mount, which is about 1 km away.

30 minutes to the lively Koyambedu Wholesale Market.

It’s best to go a little early in the morning here. So say you begin your journey from BBCL’s Stanburry at Manapakkam, you will arrive at the Koyambedu Wholesale Market in less than 29 minutes via the Kaliamman Koil street.

Why visit a wholesale vegetable/ fruit market?  The Koyambedu Wholesale Market is regarded as one of Asia's largest perishable goods market complex. Sprawling, the market covers an area of 295 acres and is bustling with activity from dawn to dusk. As early as 3.00 in the morning one can begin to see the lorries/ trucks carrying massive amounts of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Designated two blocks for vegetables and one each for flowers and fruits, the market begins with a flurry of activity in the wee hours of dawn.

In fact, it is said that an average of over 1, 00,000 people come to this market every single day. Retailers from across the city arrive before 5.00 AM to purchase produce from the 3000 odd shops housed here.

The fruit, vegetable and banana stems waste are collected and whisked to the bio-methanation plant. The plant has been set up by the CMDA (Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority) and is capable of converting 30 tonnes of waste into 2,500 units daily. The average waste that is usually collected is somewhere to the tune of over 150 tonnes, of which 30 tonnes is segregated and fed to the bio-methanation plant. After the power supply requirement has been met with, the waste is converted into manure in a separate dedicated area.

There are plans of supplying the electricity generated from this bio-methanation plant directly to households.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Caressing cool sea breezes that can be enjoyed on an infinity rooftop swimming pool while mulling over a trip to see the Senate House sounds like an impracticable dream, right? Add to the impossibility by considering a look at a cricket match at the neighbouring M.A. Chidambaram stadium or a walk on the Marina beach and it sounds even more unrealistic, isn’t it?

Not so, as we soon discovered.

Start off from Kilpauk

As we realised, there’s a lot to see and discover in a bustling city like Chennai, one has only to find the hidden gems that otherwise seem too out-of-the-way. Living in BBCL’s Breeze residences at Kilpauk ensures that the charm of Chennai slowly unfolds right before you while making certain that you do it in absolute style. Expansive homes, a rooftop infinity pool, dedicated concierge desk and an in house laundrette/ dry cleaner service, there really is nothing more that an urban hotshot can desire!

We take you on a journey where you can experience balmy sea breezes and a trip to a vintage landmark of Chennai.

20 minutes to Senate House

A short drive from BBCL’s Breeze residences at Kilpauk is the historic Senate House. A mere 7 kms via the Swami Sivananda Salai road one can reach this location in approximately 20-25 minutes.

A stunning architectural marvel, the building showcases the renowned expertise of the celebrated 19th century architect- Robert Fellowes Chisholm. While the foundation stone of the building was laid in 1869, the construction was complete by the year 1873. Regarded as one of the most popular landmarks of ancient Chennai, the Senate House is built in the Indo-Saracenic style whilst also combining Byzantine architecture in some of its features. Earthy colours dominate the building while the four sky high towers and differently coloured, intricately detailed domes on the borders stand tall at the corners, making it look stately and appealing.

Regarded as one of the best examples of fine architecture of Chennai, the Senate house is located on the campus of the Madras University near the Marina beach. By far, regarded as a must–see attraction is the Senate House’s expansive central hall. Sprawling, the central hall has corridors on the ground floor that stand on six enormous stone pillars on either side.

The six porticos with parapets surrounding them, small domed size structures in the corners and with three segmental arch openings in the east, west and south, these porches are beautiful and definitely worth a look. Two of the porticoes are located on the east and west side of the building and a further one located each on the northern and southern side of the building and lend it a majestic appeal. The roof, made of brick shell and lime mortar serves to remind of the enduring genius of the architect.

The sprawling building has a convocation hall, meeting halls and a library that are engineered marvels both magnificent and admirable at the same time. In fact, it is thought that in 1937 the halls have even played host as the meeting place of the first elected Madras Legislative besides also being the location for the Madras Music Academy in the initial years. Serving even today, the building now has the administrative departments and the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of the University of Madras.

The Marina Beach is 8 kms from BBCL’s Breeze residences at Kilpauk, approx. 26 minutes away via the Kamarajar Promenade. What’s more, the M.A Chidambaram Stadium is accessible at a distance of 6 kms, roughly 20 minutes away from BBCL’s Breeze residences via the Adithanar road

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

It is not surprising to find beautiful monuments and places of historical importance interwoven with glitzy skyscrapers and cloverleaf flyovers in Chennai. To experience the magic of the city’s heritage one only has to ‘be’ at the right places to hearken carefully its whispering legacy. Yes, Chennai is truly a trekker’s paradise as well as a history buffs dream come true.

Continuing our series of ‘Discover Chennai’ we bring forth a place steeped in culture while it continues, to this day, exist in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life.

Santhome Basilica

At a mere distance of approximately twenty five minutes from BBCL Ananya at Guindy, en route via the Sardar patel road there stands a striking all-white cathedral that literally looks like a picture frozen in time. It is thought that the Santhome Basilica was initially built by St. Thomas- the Father of Indian Christianity and one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. It is considered that he came to South India between 52 AD and 72 AD and built this church before he was martyred.

Santhome Basilica is built over the tomb of St. Thomas and is one of the only three churches in the world built over tomb of one of the twelve apostles of Christ. One can actually relive history by merely walking down the stairs to where St. Thomas the Apostle’s tomb lies. Conveying the story through beautiful stained glasses, the chronicles of St. Thomas’s divine moment of meeting with the resurrected Christ can be clearly seen here. Furthermore images of the other Apostles are depicted on the stained glass windows.

The Portuguese restored Santhome Cathedral as a Roman Catholic Church some time in the 16th century following which the British rebuilt it in 1893 elevating it to the status of a Cathedral. A beautiful white structure, the British built it in the Neo-Gothic style, a favoured architectural style of the late 19th century. In February 2006 Santhome Basilica, a Catholic minor basilica, was declared as a national shrine by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India.

One can find that within the premises is a museum displaying relics related to St. Thomas and the Basilica besides having a theatre that screens short films on the life of St. Thomas. There’s also an ancient pipe organ, an antique sun dial, a library and a shop where one can purchase prayer material and Christmas cards.

Guindy- An effervescent location

Guindy is one of Chennai’s most vibrant and diverse locality with many options to see and do. Surrounded by Saidapet, Kotturpuram, Adyar, Velachery, Adambakkam and St. Thomas Mount, Guindy is a home buyer’s haven. This is probably why you’ll find that BBCL’s Ananya at Guindy has become a favoured realty project that allows you to make the most out of Chennai.
 

When at Guindy, you must also visit-

The Guindy national park is the only National Park in India within city limits and is a ‘must see’ place. What’s more, the Madras Race Club, a mere stone’s throw away from Ananya, Guindy is the one spot where the rich and famous regularly descend. The government museum, which is a 30 minute drive away from Guindy via the Anna Salai/Mount Rd., is a wonderful experience wherein one can explore the vast treasures of Tamil Nadu.

A massive museum, it comprises of six individual buildings that have on show antique relics showcased in 46 separate galleries. One can discover much from the varied displays on art, chemical conservation, geology, botany, numismatics, archaeology and zoology. Besides, the building also has a separate children’s museum. The government museum boasts of a collection of over 2000 Indian bronzes, Amaravathi marbles and stone/ bronze inscribed pieces.

Recreational places such as the Marina beach, War Memorial, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, the Adyar Bridge, Congress Grounds are easily accessible, at an approx. distance of 30 minutes or so from Guindy.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Say Chennai and most likely you’ll say ‘culturally entrenched, historically distinguished, commercially influential, economic capital’ city of Tamil Nadu. Formerly Madras, Chennai is a renowned melting pot of the modern and the bygone eras, both of which the city carries with effortless ease and élan. With much to see and do, Chennai is a tourists dream city and a photographers delight.

Offering a blend of the conventional and the not so conventional, Chennai has many offbeat sightseeing and dining options that may either take you on a slow walk down memory lane or may give you glimpse of life in the fast lane. Choose to do as you may, we present the lighter side of Chennai- ‘The Gateway to South India’.

Places to See

Walk, hop onto a metro or drive your way down to these places; whatever you do don’t avoid taking a look at these ‘must-see’ places in Chennai.

Ripon Building

Close to the Chennai Railway Station, standing tall and white, the Ripon building was built as the official headquarters of the Chennai Corporation. Earlier located in Errabalu Chetty Street, the Chennai Corporation seat was moved to Ripon building in 1913.

A glorious example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, the building is a combination of three architectural styles, namely Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. 85 meters long and 32 metres wide, the building is painted white and is rectangular in shape with a central tower that is 43 metres tall and has a gigantic clock- the Westminster Chiming Clock that measures 2.5 metres in diameter. The clock has a mechanical key system that is checked and wound every single day.

Built by Loganatha Mudaliar, the building was four years under construction and was named after Lord Ripon. Serving as the then Governor General of British India, Lord Ripon’s statue serves as a reminder to the local government reforms that were initiated here.

A sprawling building, the first of its three floors has a 25,000 sq.ft. area with the ground floor of the building being initially fitted with Cuddapah Slate and later replaced by marble stone. The Ripon building still retains the four bells which were cast by Gillet and Johnston in 1913.

Tiger caves

To reach these caves one must take a short detour from the overcrowded, touristy Mahabalipuram. Located at a short distance from the ECR road (East Coast Road), Tiger caves are situated 5 kms before Mahabalipuram. Here, it is important to note that the caves are in a small town called Saluvankuppam which is at a distance from Chennai city. Direct buses and private vehicles from Chennai city will take you there.

A spot often missed by most tourists, the tiger caves are a must-see place, especially if you enjoy lush green peaceful serenity, complete with swaying trees, small rocks for climbing and playing around with and a neat lawn that is maintained and protected by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). Many suggest that this visit can be combined with a trip to the Mahabalipuram beach as well.

The caves are actually rock cut structures of carved tiger heads around the temple that are believed to have been constructed in 7th-8th century by the Pallavas. The temple has a Shiva Linga and a Nandi at a corner of the cave. It may not be clearly visible, but one simply must not avoid visiting the temple which is located below ground level.

What’s more, there’s a Subrahmanya Temple belonging to the Sangam period (3rd century BC to c. 4th century AD) which was discovered in 2005, coincidentally from an inscription on one of the rocks here.

There are many other places that are for those who like to take the road less travelled. But, more about those later.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Featuring some of the best real estate apps in India!

Searching for a new set of wheels or a brand new wardrobe, scouring for investment avenues or paying bills, most of everything in the world today is done on the internet. Likewise, searching for rental accommodations or looking for a home has gone the way of the internet too. In fact, it has revolutionized the entire process of buying, selling and advertising property. Concurrently, it has even changed the way people live.
 

The sepia tinged days of home hunting.

In the days yonder scouting about for a home, with the family in tow, was often a common sight. For house hunting in different cities relying on brokers, relatives and word of mouth was often the only avenue of finding an appropriate home and to avoid being tricked into the wrong deal. Days and weeks would pass before a suitable home was actually found.

All of that changed and how! Ushering in quick access to buyer and seller, bridging the gap between the developer and customer besides quickening the house hunt process, the internet did indeed make the tiresome job of house hunting a breezy affair that was merely a click away.
 

Taking it a step further

Furthering the ease of online house hunting, buyers and sellers soon had the added convenience of seeking out homes via smartphone enabled apps that made searching within parameters that are set by the user. So be it budget, location, amenities or number of rooms, everything about real estate became just an app away.

We feature some of the best apps that cater to home seekers and sellers today.

Easy to use and seamless, the magicbricks app is available for latest windows phones, iOS and android users alike. You can customize the search as per your requirements be it with regard to getting property alerts directly emailed to you or setting it to show property listings area wise, city wise or state specific. Simply sift through the listed properties with images and prices on the go and shortlist the ones that interest you the most.

There are many search filters that make it easy for the user to sort based on his criterion for bedrooms, floors, price, must-have amenities and so on. What’s more, you can conveniently post any buy, sell or rent listings from the main screen itself along with handy accessible tools that help you assess different properties. There is a feature wherein you can set options to contact advertisers directly.
 

The Common floor app is just as good as the website. Packed with a vast databank of over 5 lakhs active property listings across over 200 cities and over 1, 10,000 projects, the app builds on the strength of their dexterous search mechanism.

Accessed by over 70 lakh monthly online visits, the site has been around since 2007. Their app is available for both latest iOS and android devices with the android application being especially noteworthy. Users can sort their preferences and get quick data on the property listing details such as

location and area specifics, accessibility, floor plans, bank approvals and so on. One can also access property related research that offers guidance on many issues pertaining to property. What’s more, they also have the option of a virtual tour, so you can download and view the videos even when you’re offline.

Housing.com is an award winning, fast-growing online real estate platform that has 100% verified listings and genuine pictures of properties. Like the website, the app too is seamless and innovative and offers multiple pictures of listed properties. On sale or on rent, the app makes the home search easy. Available for android and iOS devices, the housing.com app is extremely effortless to use.

As one of the earliest websites for property listings, the 99acres website has been a boon to many a home seeker/ seller. Similarly, the 99acres app too brings all that ease in one seamless application that makes home search so much more convenient. Available for android and iOS mobiles and tablets, the app will quickly show the user sale/ rent/ purchase verified listings with options to sort according to specified category.

All that users need to do is specify their intent, be it for purchase or sale and specify the property type along with other stipulations. Within seconds the results will flash on the screen besides giving furthermore options to the user to contact the advertiser via the app.

99acres also has an option for those without smartphones; users can access their WAP site by opening www.99acres.com in their mobile browser and search for their desired property with just as much ease as the smartphone enabled app.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Luxury Real Estate Misnomers!

Think of investment avenues and more often than not most people prefer to think of stocks, jewellery, commodities or bonds as their most secure bets. However, there are those who think of real estate as one of the safest and the most reliable option for investment, perhaps because it is a far more physical and tangible asset. Besides it has also proven as a great hedging option against inflation and potential economic downturns.

If you’re already among those who’ve reaped the many benefits of real estate investing you’ve probably already experienced first-hand the advantages of this investment avenue. Furthermore, some segments of investors astutely believe that investments in luxury real estate is a far more valuable proposition that gives near about two -fold returns over time as compared to mid-housing options. This is probably why it is believed that luxury housing is an investment option that has its worth weighed in gold.

Nonetheless, as it is in most cases there are a fair amount of misconceptions relating to sale/ purchase of luxury real estate. Read on and bust some of those myths-
 

I can’t afford Luxury Housing

Yes, it is true, purchasing a luxury home may set you back initially, especially considering that you will probably be paying a heftier down payment as compared to a regular mid-housing home. However, do remember that luxury housing usually gives far more impressive, stellar returns over time.

Moreover, if you’ve selected a property that has a high ticket value with all the trappings of an uber, super premium lifestyle, be assured that there will be an NRI or a PIO HNI investor who may be eyeing it as their ‘homeland home’ too.

It’s either a sprawling luxurious home or none at all

Nowadays builders and developers are innovative with their offerings in terms of home sizes and amenities offered. A little homework and one can easily find a luxury home that is affordable, opulent and has adequate number of ultra-exclusive amenities.

Start small with a less expensive luxury property. The sprawling and more expensive properties will probably be yours to own a few years down the line.

Luxury real estate is a 100% foolproof, sound investment that gives assured returns.

This too is a myth. Just as other ownership based investments like stocks, precious metals and commodities that have cyclical upturns and downturns; real estate too has its fair share of cycles. Be patient and exercise due diligence where needed. Hasty decisions in terms of selling quickly can be a costly affair, likewise, purchasing too soon without sufficient groundwork may also mean regretting in leisure.

Do remember that nothing can replace your own homework and command over investments in real estate. Playing it smart and doing an exhaustive study about the prospective luxury property, purchasing it at a fair price, being patient and ensuring that you manage it sensibly over time are some of the tenets that will keep you in good stead, even during times of cyclical trends.

Contacts, connections and the like

Sure, you must consult legal and real estate industry experts for sound advice on your investment option, in fact, most high profile realty investors have an entourage of such specialists. However that does not mean that only those with a bevy of experts on their beck and call, have the liberty to consult and seek professional advice. You can do so too.

Speak to acquaintances and colleagues and you’ll probably end up with a good reference list of experts who can guide you with property advice, monetary guidance and suggestions for operating your luxurious property.
 

Luxury houses don’t sell as fast

Luxurious home buyers don’t have the same profile as an average home buyer. Consequently, there are some guidelines with regard to marketing and selling your house to these potential buyers. Another very important point to consider here is that the pricing has to be ‘just apt’- no more, no less.

Usually, the first thing that most potential buyers are interested in is the price. If it seems over inflated, it runs the risk of being on the market for too long (with running expenses to keep it presentation-ready). Sellers then get frustrated because of lack of offers and consequently under-price their property. This is why it’s important to price it smart and not over inflate it assuming there will be room for negotiation.

Do seek the advice of specialised real estate consultants that exclusively deal in luxury house’s accurate pricing, marketing and subsequent sale. Eventually you’ll end up with a price that is not only win-win but also has enough for you to be happy about.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

If one was to closely observe the growth of Chennai’s residential/ commercial real estate as compared to other metros such as Kolkatta, Bangalore, Mumbai or New Delhi, one can easily interpret that Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore are the rising stars that have generated the maximum buyer interest in addition to being the cities with a consistent upward price trend since over the last one year.

Particularly, with reference to the two southern cities, Chennai and Bangalore, one can say that these cities have built their fortunes on the basis of strong ‘new’ industry set ups. Moreover, it can be said that Bangalore’s realty developed earlier than Chennai. Notwithstanding this, Chennai soon became a leading frontrunner in inviting large scale industrialization, following which it experienced a huge migrant employee influx.

Renowned as one of the leading metros of India, Chennai proved its mettle as being a city that could successfully take on uniform development efficiently without having traffic and infrastructural shortcomings as is usually the case with Bangalore. Furthermore, the realty sector too moved hand in hand with the development and is today considered a vibrant, prospective industry with many renowned developers who’ve set up large community living projects with a mixed inventory of housing options equipped with all the amenities pandering to this fresh, new populace.

The buck stops here
Chennai has been at the forefront of a well established civic infrastructure and a modernized public transportation system that is augmented from time to time. In fact, it’s interesting that the city was among the first few cities in India to install the electric suburban railway service since as early as 1923. An augmented rail line was inaugurated in April 1931 with the service plying between Madras Beach and Tambaram.

Today, Chennai is an extremely well connected city with an enviable rail and road network that make living and residing in the city a convenient, hassle-free experience.

The gateway of South India
The upsurge in the real estate sector in Chennai is attributed to the fact that the city already had a well-established commercial base comprising of automobile, manufacturing, electronics hardware and IT industries. In fact, it is a well-documented fact that since historic times the Chennai port has held a position of prime significance for the city. It is not only the second largest port but is also reckoned as being the third oldest ports in India.

The Chennai port, one of the largest docks in the Bay of Bengal, contributes largely to the economic, manufacturing and trade influence of Chennai and is rightly touted as the ‘Gateway of South India.’

All roads lead to Chennai
Chennai comprises of a ready skilled manpower talent pool of IT professionals and industrial personnel. In addition, as the workforces largely possess strong English speaking skills there is an even greater incentive for international companies to set up their base here and commence operations without delay.

Being home to a large migrant employee population that is multi-cultural, cosmopolitan and well-traveled, Chennai has mushroomed with a host of recreational facilities, entertainment and shopping centres besides also having prestigious educational institutes in the state such as IIT Madras, Madras Medical College, Loyola College, University of Madras School of Architecture and Planning and Guindy Anna University among other elite institutes.

Refreshing Recreation
The Marina beach in Chennai is reckoned as one of the longest natural urban beaches in India and the world's second longest natural urban beach. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the largest zoological garden in the Indian subcontinent and is host to many exotic animals, reptiles, amphibian and bird species. Moreover there are many theme parks such as the Kishkinta and the Queens land theme park among others.

Health capital of India
Chennai is considered to be the healthcare capital of the country with over 300 multi-specialty hospitals and over 12,500 doctors working towards better health of its citizens. The city is renowned for its flourishing medical tourism industry which attracts a huge inflow of international health tourists, who appreciate the reasonably priced, world class healthcare facility offered here.

Thumbs up to Chennai realty
Tipping the scales in favor of Chennai is also the fact that the real estate prices are very appropriately priced, in other words, it is not inflated or overpriced- the price trend is commensurate with the growth that is taking place in the city. Additionally, there is scope for it to continue its upward price momentum considering the infrastructural/ transportation boosts coming up in the near future.

Reckoned as the sixth-largest city with the fourth-most populous urban area Chennai is the 36th-largest urban area in the world . With a sturdy demand in the number of projects for affordable and ultra luxury housing within a well networked locality; one will find that the time to invest in Chennai’s real estate is now!

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Reaffirming its eminent position once again, Chennai has reiterated itself as a top realty investment haven for international investors and domestic end users. Today, it comes as no surprise that Chennai features as one of the top 12 realty investment destinations in the world.

What’s more, Chennai is the only Indian city on this list.

When it all happened

The growth story of Chennai cannot be termed as sudden, sporadic or unconscious, rather it can be said that this has been an earned entitlement acquired over time. Steady governance and the creation of favourable policies that have presented Chennai as a lucrative IT, financial, auto, manufacturing and realty investment hub have been just some of the key turnaround features in the past.

Building on these key commercial strengths, Chennai was witness to an industrial boom that augured rapid urbanisation and a thriving mercantile culture. Today, Chennai is considered as an economic epicentre with a formidable IT industry base that comes in close comparison to the prolific Bangalore IT industry and the list of notable corporations such as eBay Inc, Hitachi Automotives systems and Microsoft Corporations among others are deemed as feathers in Chennai’s illustrious cap.

We take a quick look at some of the factors that have made investing in Chennai such a rewarding venture-

Cosmopolitan with a mass appeal
Chennai is accredited with being an extremely cosmopolitan city besides being host to the third-largest expat population  in India. BBC recently ranked the city as one of the 'hottest' cities to live besides also being ranked 9th in the list of the world’s best cosmopolitan cities. Furthermore, Chennai features as the secondary financial hub in India coming next only to Mumbai. However, it doesn’t just stop there; Chennai was recently rated among the world’s 20 fastest growing cities by Forbes besides also being named as one of the safest big cities in India.

There is upbeat optimism and an expectation that these accolades have only just begun. With further initiatives by the state government, it is forecasted that there will be a host of many more infrastructural upgradations with respect to the transport, renewable energy, environment services and urban redevelopment leading to an ultra modern city with universal appeal.
 
Stating facts
Tamil Nadu state has been leading the pack with a host of key innovative programmes that initiated Chennai’s precedence as an industrial nucleus. At present, Tamil Nadu contributes over 10% of the national output in paper, machinery, electronics, textiles, auto and auto components and leather products.


Today, there are over 40,000 large industries supported by over 900,000 SME’s. What’s more, the state is home to over 50 Fortune 500 companies and is the proud benefactor of USD 17 billion in FDI.

The success story of the state has translated phenomenally well for Chennai city with data confirming Chennai’s undisputed position as the 2nd Financial Capital of India. Moreover, it reaffirms the city’s position as one of the most dynamic hubs with an economy of US$58.6 billion PPP. Chennai’s contribution as a noteworthy partner being the fourth-largest economy of India is undisputed

Chennai’s realty- A sound investment
The recent report by Candy GPS has restated the great potential of Chennai as a real estate hub. The report suggests that Chennai is one of the leading places to invest in real estate in the world. Moreover, the report is based on identifying cities that project a robust residential realty price growth in the forthcoming years.Considering that the other places to feature in the list are international cities such as Melbourne, Australia and Jakarta among others, Chennai’s ranking in this list is no ordinary feat.

As an investment option, the realty sector has invited FDI besides also seeing a lot of inbound growth for rentals and outright purchases. Trends show that home buyers usually prefer to go with credible developers/ builders who have VFM (value for money) projects in good locations with accessibility to schools and offices besides having delivered projects on time whilst ensuring superior construction quality.

Unlike Bangalore and other metros, Chennai has a slightly different purchase trend. The principal difference being that Chennai market is largely ‘location’ driven with customers preferring to deal with a reliable and trustworthy developer directly rather than relying on brokers or real estate agents.

The relationship of a builder with that of his customers is largely the main criterion for purchase in Chennai. Likewise, reliable builders don’t play underhand tactics or promote their properties via an army of brokers. The typical scenario is usually of a builder promoting/ advertising his project and the customer getting in touch directly with the said company.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Ultra-luxury homes usually means a heavy investment for the seller, considering that he must have purchased it at a premium as well as for the buyer when he deliberates on the asking price, as it may possibly include the premium plus an additional surcharge for the extra glitz involved.

While low to mid budget housing options are easier to purchase and equally straightforward to put on the market, there is some amount of forethought required in the case of ultra luxury home sales. That said, following a few ground rules ensures that the seller is marketing the ultra-luxurious house to the right person at the right time.

Lets take a look at a few tips that will make sure you, as a seller, put your best foot forward and maximise the opportunities presented to you.

Defining the buyer

Elementary as it may sound, this is a crucial step that you must ideally put down on paper so as to make it a clear cut agenda going forward. We are not talking about cookie cut definitions; rather try to make it a concise profile of who the buyer might be- A top-notch manager employed in your city or stationed outside the country. Perhaps, someone among your acquaintances or your friends’ celebrity contact.

Once you’ve defined your buyer profile you’ll be in a position to understand-

- How to approach them; marketing strategy

- What price would be best suited to them

- Which real estate agent aptly fits the bill

- How soon you will be able to close the deal

This goes a long way as you won’t be shooting arrows in the dark. Instead, you will be saving valuable time while having a coherent plan at hand.

Price, Price, Price

Not enough emphasis can be stressed on this aspect and it may seem like it’s the first obvious thing that a seller would ultimately do. Nonetheless, it is considered as the most imperative aspect in terms of marketing as well as the most crucial thing that catches/ disengages buyer interest.

Pricing it really high and scaring away potential buyers could be an epic mistake that can cost time and money. So, do ensure that this is one aspect that you have lots of groundwork on.

Secondly, the price that you decide upon will factor in the cost of made-to-order amenities and specific alterations that you may have made, so it needs to be priced smart.

Its best advised to bear in mind that luxury homes do take a lot of time to sell, so be prepared to wait it out a little. Ideally pricing it aptly and aggressively from the onset itself will make sure that your wait is not interminable.

The trick here is- Price it right and sit tight!
 

Research the market thoroughly

Comparative market analysis should be your friend and guide when selling the home. Do remember that the market today is not entirely a sellers market rather quite the opposite. So, it does help to do your homework in advance and verify the asking price.

If you don’t have the time, perhaps appointing a capable real estate agent should do the trick. Ideally, there should be a good chunk of ready ‘data’ specific to your house location along with a physical recce of other homes on the market.

This will help to determine that the price you have set is in tune with market scenario.

Location and lifestyle in synergy

Upscale localities that are synonymous with the rich and famous naturally attract more attention than others do. Homes in these kinds of localities boast of privacy and lower population densities- something the affluent prefer.

However, with the unprecedented growth in urban areas many ultra-luxurious projects are now located in key areas that are not too far from the posh localities nor too distant from city centres. So if you’re planning to market your ultra-luxurious house which may or may not be located in a posh area, do remember to include a good quality video or a virtual tour of the locality and the house. It’ll go a long way in promoting it to overseas buyers who are not in a position to do a physical look-see themselves.

Lifestyle is another key factor that is often the most significant underlying feature of ultra-luxury homes. These kind of homes reflect not just an elite address but also the kind of lifestyle that the inhabitant probably wishes to project. Stage the house such that there are a lot of vacation destination pictures or souvenirs that speak of your journeys across the world. Avoid personal picture frames that may possibly lead to unnecessary pre-conceived judgements.

If you’re sharing the neighbourhood with a celebrity or a distinguished luminary, do make sure that this information is mentioned in your marketing paraphernalia as well as during the physical recce of potential customers.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

It is said that the best way to know a city is by walking through it, however, in this case a simple drive through will do. To actually gauge the ground reality of the fertile ground called as ‘South East Chennai’ one just needs to put the pedal to the accelerator and get on one of the highways. Well, you have three to choose from as South Chennai is connected not just through one but three key arterial roads- The OMR, ECR and the GST.
 

South East Chennai

South East Chennai comprises of many localities, some relatively small and some others that have become hugely popular on account of their proximity to the IT parks and their connectivity to the afore-mentioned highways. As the case may be, South East Chennai has now become a bustling hotspot of activity because of its bright prospects as well as the scope for further development.

As is already well known the Grand South Trunk Road (GST Road), OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road), and ECR (East coast road) are the principal roads of Chennai that have triggered much development and have led to the emergence of an extremely well connected populace.

Hitherto unheard of areas have begun to see infrastructural advancements with rapid progress thereby raising the hopes for all round, uniform urbanisation. This is most evident with the localities touched by the ECR, OMR and GST corridors that have recently emerged as the most favoured places for real estate investment by NRI’s, IT professionals, HNI’s, corporates and end users. South East Chennai is one such case in point.

Today, it is not surprising to find large sprawling green lands with natural lakes occupying a comfortable spot next to a mammoth chrome and glass commercial office space. Such is the synchronous beauty of South East Chennai.
 

Touchpoint Thoraipakkam

Situated 14 kms away from Chennai city Thoraipakkam is one of the most prolific, flourishing areas of South East Chennai. In 2011, when the Chennai city corporation limits were extended Thoraipakkam, a village panchayat until then, was included within the city limits of Chennai.

After the addition of Thoraipakkam to the city corporation limits this area has undergone a metamorphic development that has seen an overhaul of basic amenities, road connectivity and industrial development alongside with it.

The link road of OMR (Old Mahabalipuram road) connects Thoraipakkam to many SEZ’s via the same highway besides affording it connectivity to the other key arterial roads of Chennai. Moreover, with the emergence of large IT companies in close proximity to this area, Thoraipakkam has become one of the most keenly observed areas that has acquired much attention from corporates and developers.

Thrice the advantage

Thoraipakkam offers the advantage of being in immediate access to the GST road (The Grand Southern Trunk Road) or NH-45 and OMR providing Thoraipakkam superb access to the major IT parks at both the locations.

At this point, it is important to note the difference between the GST road and OMR. Typically, the GST road is considered as the special economic zone (SEZ) corridor under which the Mahindra Global City SEZ besides many other exemplary parks such as Tidel Park, Shriram Gateway, SP Infocity, Prince Infocity, RMZ Millenia and Estancia IT Park are located. Likewise OMR is touted as the IT corridor that plays host to prominent MNC corporations employing thousands of workers.

The third advantage of this area is its proximity to ECR (East Coast Road) which is considered as a recreational melting pot of Chennai with the Crocodile Park, Dakshinchitra, Cholamandalam Artist’s village, amusement parks, entertainment zones and the untouched Covelong beach all of which are reachable within a short distance from Thoraipakkam.

IT Parks at Thoraipakkam

The Bahwan CyberTek IT Park which is host to Zafin Labs, Beroe Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. among other companies, the Ceedeeyes Tech Park which houses TCS, the ETL Infrastructure - Chennai One which has eminent firms such as Wipro, GDES, Sutherland, HCL, Polaris and Ford besides hosting other notable corporations, the ASV Suntech Park that has Deloitte, Renault, Samsung, Cognizant (CTS), Cisco among other distinguished corporations are all located at Thoraipakkam. What’s more, there are many more such mammoth parks that are in various stages of completion at Thoraipakkam.

Befitting Acclaim

While Thoraipakkam or Okkiyam Thoraipakkam is credited with being a thriving residential housing market as well as having a bounteous industrial/ commercial zone, much credit is owed to the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram radial road. Stretching from east to west, this radial road expanse serves as a connecting link between the OMR, GST road, the Chennai airport as well as providing ease of traffic to the Tambaram-Velachery main road.

Situated on the eastern banks of the Pallikaranai marsh- a scenic, designated reserve forest area which is host to migratory birds such as Flamingo’s, Little Stint Red and the Fulvous Whistling Duck  among other species makes Thoraipakkam an opportune location which coexists with commercialisation and picturesque spots of nature.

Residential Conveniences

Many residential projects located in Thoraipakkam have served to serve the massive demand for affordable properties here. Notably, BBCL’s Ashraya- A 2 & 3 BHK project is ideal as it comprises of many interesting recreational amenities such as a meditation center, a multi-purpose party hall and a swimming pool. Besides, BBCL’s Ashraya has an unbeatable superior location access that can take you to the AKDR Golf Village in minutes whilst being a mere 3.5 kms away from the Perungudi Toll Plaza. What’s more, the CTS office is just 0.6 kms away from Ashraya- something which will be a boon for office goers.

Constructed with BBCL’s trademark superior quality employing the very best of building methodologies, Ashraya will boast of many environmentally sustainable features too. The project is in close proximity to IT hubs, educational institutes and colleges, medical establishments and shopping centres and affords quick approachability to the rest of Chennai city. BBCL Ashraya, Thoraipakkam promises possession in April 2016.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Yes, we all covet the more sophisticated things in life; the bigger car, the better school for our kids, the newest gadget, the most upscale brand of clothes and the list goes infinitely on. However, at the top of this list is the desire to own and live in an exclusive address in a swanky home- One that defines your aspirations, ambitions and epitomises the person that you are. Indeed, a luxury home defines all this and conveys succinctly to the world that you are no longer just ‘anybody’ anymore. Rather, you are now ‘somebody’ to reckon with, a name with a claim to fame.

Conversely, buying a luxury home does mean certain other factors that are pretty significant, price being the most important of them all. Luxury homes do come with a hefty price tag, usually that is. If you follow some of the tricks and hacks mentioned below, you can be sure of getting the luxury home that you’ve been eyeing, for less than you expected. 

Look for the right time to take a loan

While it may seem obvious that a higher rate of interest means a higher instalment payout, there are number of people who don’t like to wait it out and keep on the lookout for a good prospect. Yes, it does mean that there has to be a considerable period wherein you may have to wait for the next opportunity for a home loan interest rate correction, but it’s a wait that is worth it.

Naturally, a luxurious home is going to set you back a bit and you will need to part with a good amount of your hard cash, so it does make sense to wait for a reasonable period of time. Nonetheless, rest assured that purchasing a luxurious home is a sound investment as it has been one segment that has attracted a lot of FDI and NRI interest as well. Even with respect to resale values, luxury homes have shown lesser depreciation compared to other segments of real estate.
 

Keep an eye out for foreclosures

Foreclosed properties are those that have been seized by the bank or lender as the borrower has not been able to make timely principal and interest payments. In many cases, foreclosed properties are auctioned off by the bank and there are good chances of making a considerable saving in these kinds of properties. However, there may be chances that the new buyer may have to pump in some additional money over and above the asking price.

Be aware and beware with these kind of properties as very often these homes have been sitting empty for a while and may require a lot more in terms of renovations and additional expenses to put things back into action.

Foreclosed properties are good for those who’ve been eyeing a particular locality or a posh house for a very long time and have been waiting to get some sort of a discount on it. It’s a good option even for those looking to get a premium luxury property at below-market-value prices and then selling it for a profit.

Do make sure that you read the Bank Owned Addendum thoroughly.

Scan the market for luxury homes that have been on the market for a while

As an interested luxury home buyer among the first things that you probably may begin to do is zero down on the area or locality of choice. Next, you’ll begin to scour the market for homes that are on resale in this particular area by either referring to website listings or by getting in touch with a real estate consultant.

These will serve good but maybe not so much if you’re in a bit of a hurry. Take your home search one step further by speaking to people in the neighbourhood, getting in touch with relocation experts and specifically requesting your real estate agent to keep a look out for homes that have been on the market for a while.

Usually home owners who have moved aboard and didn’t have time to settle their transactions for the present home are more probable to offer you good deals (read discounts).

Book when its still under construction

Usually under construction purchases are considered risky as there are chances of being duped or worse, an interminable wait with no end in sight. This is why due diligence in researching the builder/ developer is a must. Most builders who are certain about their possession dates give in writing the exact month and timeframes of possession. It is best advised to go with a reputed developer who can guarantee the completion dates.

In this case, as a luxurious home buyer, you stand the opportunity of getting a good deal on an under construction property that has the potential of giving you a good profit after completion.

Even if you are the end user and will actually be residing in the house, you can be sure that your luxurious home has given you more than you could have ever imagined possible.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

About Ambattur

Some time in the early 50’s Amabattur caught the attention of industrialists who established a cycle factory in a mango grove here. This was to be an important landmark moment as it was the first such joint venture agreement in Southern India post independence. It paved the way for future industrial growth that blossomed up soon after and helped put Ambattur on the world map. Even today one can find that Ambattur is renowned for its auto ancillaries, foundries and heavy manufacturing industries.

Industrial Heritage

Constructed in 1964 by the Government of Tamil Nadu the Ambattur Industrial Estate is one of the ten industrial estates developed by the Small Industries Development Corporation of Tamil Nadu. The Ambattur industrial estate is a source of employment to many besides being popularly touted as biggest small scale industrial estate in South Asia. Spread over an area of 1,430 acres, the estate is host to over 1,800 small and medium scale industries that mainly focus on automobile components, garments and engineering products. Renowned industries such as Chettiars TI Group, Dunlop, TVS and Britannia are located in the estate.

What’s more, the industrial estate has spurred the growth of IT companies that have set up their facilities here. Distinguished IT/ ITES corporations such as TCS, Dell, MilesTs HCL Technologies, Perot Systems and iOPEX Technologies have their premises here.

Today, one can find that a lot of real estate development is based on the huge employee base that works in these corporations nearby. There is presence of large IT parks such as the Prince Info Park, the One Indiabulls Park and the Ambit Park which is host to CMA CGM- the world's 3rd largest liner. The Chennai Tech Park is a huge set up spread over 10 acres and comprising of over 2,400,000 sq ft of commercial space that houses the RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) among other big names.

Vital Linkages

Positioned in the North-West part of Chennai, Ambattur became a part of Chennai Municipality in the year 2011 after the expansion of Chennai Corporation limits. Thereafter, it has seen much development and upgradations that have made it a key area of Chennai city.

Located at a mere distance of 13 kms from central Chennai, Ambattur is easily accessible via roadways and lies in close proximity to the Chennai-Kolkata Highway. The under construction Chennai Bypass Road connecting Maduravoyal and Madhavaram passes through Ambattur Industrial Estate, connecting NH4 with NH5 and NH205.

The area is reachable via the railway network too as the Chennai Central-Arakkonam railway line passes through Ambattur. In fact, the area has the unique advantage of being served by two railway stations – the Ambattur railway station, which mainly caters to the residential populace and the Pattaravakkam railway station, which caters to the Ambattur Industrial Estate area.

Offering quick accessibility to the nearby suburbs such as Anna Nagar, Padi and Avadi, Ambattur further enjoys the privilege of being located close to the NH205 or the Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road (CTH) which goes via the area and connects the Ambattur industrial estate as well. A highly frequented road, the CTH road is used by over 40,000 cars daily.

Residents of Ambattur find paying obeisance at Tirupathi extremely convenient as there are buses that ply from the Ambattur bus terminus. Moreover, one can reach other areas of Chennai easily as there are many buses playing to and fro from the terminus. There are some buses that ply to Nagercoil, Madurai and other parts of Tamil Nadu from Ambattur.

A Flourishing Locality

Ambattur has a rich legacy that makes this area very special. Aside from its rich industrial background, Ambattur is also one of the 108 Shakthi Sthals in the country. The name ‘Ambattur’ is derived because of the Amman (Durga) temple being in the 51st order.

Ambattur today is a flourishing locality that is in a frenzy of development and infrastructural make overs. There are a host of schools, colleges, shopping and recreation centres that cater to the large population residing here. Moreover, the area has garnered much attention as the rentals are profitable and so is the resale of flats. Besides, there are a plethora of mixed housing options that are very reasonable priced compared to other parts of Chennai.

The bequest from the past that lives on

Ambattur has much to offer a prospective investor with many housing options that are located ideally and in close proximity to the IT parks and commercial offices. What’s more, those with school-going children prefer Ambattur as the area is home to the oldest school - the Sri Mahaganesa Vidhyasala besides having many other schools and colleges such as T.I Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Government Girls Higher Secondary School, G.K Shetty Vivekananda Vidyalaya junior college and the Velammal Engineering College among others.

The area is water rich due to the presence of two lakes, viz, the Ambattur Eri and the Chithu Oragadam Lake and the larger- Puzhal eri which is towards the outskirts of Ambattur. Even with respect to biodiversity one can find many exotic birds such as the spotted dove, rose-ringed parakeet and the pied crested cuckoo among others.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The recently concluded GIM (Global Investor Meet) in Chennai played host to many foreign dignitaries and eminent industrialists who came together to give wings to an even more commercially strong, economically vibrant Tamil Nadu. To say that the event was a roaring success is perhaps just not enough. Rather, let’s just say that Pegasus, the ancient Greek winged stallion logo of this event, has indeed taken flight in a clear blue sky.

A round up of the happenings at GIM

While the event was pegged as an open invitation to the investors of the world to come forward and take advantage of the exceedingly ‘investor-friendly’ policies of Chennai, it can be said that there was an investment target that was aimed at from the very outset of the meet. Sources suggest that the target investment expected was somewhere to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore.

What’s the verdict after the event? To put it simply, this figure has been surpassed by leaps and bounds.

The acquired investment figure is nearly double the goal that was set initially with the estimate of commitments now approximated at Rs 2, 42,160 crore. What’s more, the state has even signed close to 98 pacts that will see fruition in the future; however, these details have still not been disclosed to the public at large.

It is widely being regarded that the investments garnered at the GIM meet have surpassed all expectations and have been much more than those acquired over the last twenty years.

Buoyed by this success the state has plans to host a similar GIM event once every two years.

Who attended the meet?

The who’s who of the business community attended the GIM meet and everyone including industrialists, foreign dignitaries and delegations from Singapore, the UK, Russia, France, Italy Korea, Australia, Canada and Japan. Nearly 5,000 emissaries with over a 1,000 envoy’s from foreign nations were among the attendees at the event.

The number game

Indian industrialists and bigwigs from the IT, automobile besides diversified business conglomerates were seen pledging their support towards making considerable investments and setting up of their industries here. It is thought that investments of over $1 billion and Rs 2,500 crore from two colossal corporations had already been announced at the event.

Additionally, with reports suggesting the breakdown of the investments garnered so far, there are clear indications that nearly Rs 1, 04,286 crore is towards the manufacturing sector which will probably be distributed among other regions in Tamil Nadu.

Furthermore, Tamil Nadu attracted investments in every sector with the Chief Minister especially encouraging investors to consider investments in the infrastructure sector. The IT sector got Rs 10,950 crore, Power attracted Rs 1, 07,136 crore and the handloom sector garnered Rs 1,955 crore.

Solar power got a massive investment boost with a Rs 35,356 crore investment, fisheries Rs 500 crore and the agriculture sector getting a Rs 800 crore investment. Agreements were signed with Medium and small companies agreeing to invest nearly Rs 16,533 crore.

As a measure of ensuring smooth operational transition for the investing corporates, the state authorities conveyed that via the Guidance Bureau's single-window clearance facility, statutory clearances will be done within a 30 day timeframe from the date of application/ submission along with the necessary documents and related paperwork.

Spotlight- Global Investor Meet, Chennai

Needless to say the preparations and the planning had commenced long before the actual date of the event. Nearly
Rs 100 crore was spent towards organising the event. The safety and security was beefed up, many hotels and rooms booked in advance with attention to every detail, roads cleaned and spruced up before the big day, Chennai Trade Centre was the cynosure of everyone’s eyes.

Swathed in decorations, the roads were reverberating with lined up performers playing their percussion instruments and folk artists who were specially brought down to perform for the event. Japanese percussion, folksy Thappattam performers, Brazilian samba and Carnatic music were just some of the extravaganzas organised at the event. A stunning audio-visual laser show at the Adyar River depicted everything about the state with respect to its rich culture besides the state’s exemplary success in the past.

Chennai airport's international terminal saw a wonderful facelift in the form of exquisite objets d'art vying for attention with beautiful woodwork artefacts that were displayed at 50 vantage points in and around the terminal as a token of introducing foreign delegates to the culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Guilt free’ are such clichéd words now that most people turn a deaf hear the minute they hear these two words. Then again, if you affix it with the additional burden of a ‘Green’ this or a green that, more often than not you’re going to be addressing an empty chair. By and large this term has become a misnomer and there are very few doers who actually practise Green Living in the true sense of the term, perhaps because there are too many lengthy ‘to-do’s’ associated with it.

However, it need not be so. Doing away with the tedious techniques, we present a few smart, stress free tricks that will bring out the green and liven up your living spaces.

Paint it Green – Quick tip number 1

No you don’t need to cringe up your nose at the thought of green walls, here, by Green walls we merely mean homes that have been painted using eco-friendly paints or varnishes. Though these types of paints have been around for some time now, they’ve taken time to become really popular, mainly because of the cost involved. However, with evolving technology there have been some welcome innovations that have made this an affordable reality.

These green paints are usually made of plant based dyes and come in a variety of colours as well. What’s more, they have been shown to be more durable as well. So go ahead and paint your home without the hassle of harmful gases and VOC effects and ensure a safe breathing home too. You can enquire around with your local stockists or check for some manufacturers that may have some options in this.

Low Flow Fixtures- Quick tip number 2

These are smart water fixtures that utilise less water as compared to the previous conventional ones. Besides, they are available in a variety of models such as sink faucets, faucets, showerheads or toilets in designs that are modern, efficient and easy to set up.

Effectively, these low-flow water fixtures help to preserve water by employing high-pressure techniques that create a strong jet of flowing water by actually using less water as compared to the usual typical fixtures that have always been used.

Bamboo flooring- Quick tip number 3

Green flooring trends have been literally flooring home interior enthusiasts for quite some time now. It certainly is a good alternative but it does have its share of drawbacks too. First, let’s look at the advantages-

Since bamboo is a type of grass and a quick growing one at that, it is considered a highly renewable source that grows and matures quickly. Just to compare, a hardwood tree typically needs 15-20 years to reach maturity whereas bamboo grows and matures within 3-6 years time. In fact bamboo has already been used by many as environmentally friendly wood flooring. 

Its drawbacks are that it does comprise of some amount of VOC emissions that are attributed to its manufacturing process. Besides, there are some extra precautions that you may have to take considering it is prone to scratches.

Household Cleaners- Quick tip number 3

Commercially available products that promise to leave a glittering shine in your home could possibly be doing more damage than it may outwardly seem. There are some serious environmental and health concerns that just cannot be ignored. But then again leaving the house dirty as a gesture of environment friendliness also will not do. So what then is the solution?

Figuratively, homemade solutions are the answer to this conundrum. If you’re short on time, do enquire about green (plant-based) cleaners that promise to spray away the health and environmental hazards. Think baking soda and vinegar!

A green roof – Quick tip number 4

By green roofs we simply mean green homes that have been built using the latest and most environmentally responsible construction methodologies. An environment conscious developer will preferably have gone in for certifications such as the “IGBC Pre Certified Gold Rated” official recognitions. These certifications ensure that green policies govern the design and construction with guidelines for the future life of the building.

Visit http://www.bbcl.in/stanburry/greenfeatures#prettyPhoto for more details.

Ideally the green homes building will utilise eco-friendly building materials that safeguard nature with a focus on creating living spaces that utilise the best of what nature has to offer along with creating a natural envelope around them that further helps save energy. Water conservation is given utmost importance with good techniques for rainwater harvesting or treated sewage water that is recycled for gardening.

http://www.bbcl.in/ananya/projects.php

Get energy-efficient- Quick tip number 5

Taking further green home buildings it is impossible to ignore smart, eco-friendly lighting and energy optimising solutions that have seen many resourceful resolutions to previously complex issues of energy conservation.

A well-lit area is one that harvests 108 lux or more of natural light where lux is the measure of the intensity of light as perceived by the human eye. Nowadays, green homes use techniques that harness natural light so as to create direct savings on energy bills. Employing the technique of scientific sun path analysis, homes are designed such that more than 75% of the area is naturally lit with a minimum of 108 lux.

http://www.bbcl.in/vajra/

SUN PATH MOVEMENT

This determines the way apartments receive natural lighting through the day from the sun’s movement.

Summary

There are many shades of green and it is entirely up to us to decide which shade of green we’d actually like to live our life with plug & play.

Bonus tip

Get an electric car. Opt for a building or project that provides for well-located charging points. You’ll be amazed at the savings on your fuel bills and the multitude of green effects thereafter.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

#1: An economic powerhouse on a high growth trajectory!

#2: A global industrial and manufacturing hub

#3: Robust Physical Infrastructure

#4: Robust urban and social infrastructure with world class civic amenities 

#5: Renewable energy capital of India

#6: Innovation and Knowledge hub of India

#7: Strong tourism footprint

#8: Path breaking policy initiatives and investor facilitation framework

#9: Vision 2023 for inclusive growth and development

#10: New paradigm for industrial growth

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Impressive Initiations
The upcoming Tamil Nadu Global Investors’ Meet on the 9th and 10th September at the Chennai Trade Centre has spurred in motion many initiatives and schemes that aim to unleash the immense potential of Tamil Nadu and of Chennai in particular while also showcasing the readiness of the state to commence a fruitful business alliance with the world.

To that end, there have been a spew of inventive branding exercises including a promotional road show that was taken to all the districts of the state for initiating and encouraging inbound investments from MSME investors. Internationally, the road show was also conducted in Germany, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom.

What’s more, there have been many techno savvy initiatives that have been specially created so as to smoothen the functioning of the entire event and to create a single window for the participants, delegates and investors alike. A special app, the ‘Tamil Nadu GIM’ app has been specifically developed for Android and iOS users wherein the user can access information and news pertaining to the GIM Meet along with programme details and their journey information.

The Leading Light- Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has established its presence as a vibrant and thriving economic state with many stellar triumphs on many grounds and while the state continues to scale up the momentum, there are a host of economic and industrial avenues that are opening up on account of its phenomenal successes in the past.

Today, Tamil Nadu is the second largest contributor to India’s GDP with the main driving forces based on the industrial and service sector backbone, both of which account for a whopping 93% of the total GDP contribution.

A prolific economic arena
Building on its industrial strengths and a strong IT/ ITES base, Tamil Nadu and its economic hub- Chennai, with a robust economy of nearly US$58.6 billion PPP make it the fourth-largest economy in India. What’s more, with a strong Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) the state has a higher and a more enviable GDP position if one is to compare it to New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Vietnam thereby catapulting India among the top 50 countries of the world.

Heralding economic prosperity
Tamil Nadu has made a name for itself with respect to its ease in doing business, good governance policies, proven merit as an Information Technology (IT) hub and having an already well established skilled workforce base. This is probably why it is Tamil Nadu features amongst the top three states in India.

However, that’s not all, the state scores points favourably in a host of other measures as well, namely, Tamil Nadu is considered to have the highest number of factories in India, it features third in gross industrial output, is one of the top 3 highest beneficiaries of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country and is fondly referred to as the ‘Detroit of India’ with the automobile manufacturing industry set to become one of the top 10 auto clusters in the world.
 

A fertile land of opportunity

Good governance policies have created a salubrious climate whereby there has been maximum encouragement to industry set ups. To that end, land allowances to the tune of nearly 38,000 acres have already been allotted to the 100 industrial parks and SEZ’s presently thriving in the state. Additionally, 8 more such business parks encompassing nearly 9000 acres are at near completion stages.

To give further impetus to many more such business parks, dedicated land parcels of more than 20,650 acres are being allocated and there is fervent probability of generating investments to the tune of~ $4 billion.

Up to speed advances
The Global Investors’ Meet has actively invited participation from investors across the globe and to that end strategic digital display boards and hoardings advertising the GIM event were placed in international locations such as London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Within India too these digital boards were placed in key cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
 

A heartening response
It is estimated that there will be nearly 3,000 delegates attending the event, both from partner and non-partner countries and there has been a lot of preparation and planning from officials to ensure complete success of the event.

The GIM meet will bring together and address investors who have already evinced interest in investments in the state. In fact, there are reports suggesting that committed investments to the tune of Rs. 72,000-crore have already been made with a substantial assurance coming from domestic investors. Besides this, there are other international and local firms that have professed an interest in doing business in the state.

Key areas of focus

The GIM meet will focus on mobilising investments towards key areas that have been proven vital strengths of the state. Namely, investments will be invited towards industries such as Heavy Engineering & Electronics Hardware, IT and ITES, Infrastructure, Aerospace, Textiles, Agri Business, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Renewable Energy, Biotech/Pharmaceuticals and Automobile and Auto Ancillaries.

Registration: To be a part of the success story register here

Delegate Registration: Join hands and take a step towards a prosperous future, register here for GIM 2015 today

Event Registration: Act Now! Time is running out, register here for GIM 2015 today

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Tamil Nadu has long since been a story that is waiting to be told. This time yet again, under the glittering arc lights the state will take its well-deserved place on the centre stage and recount the chronicles of its stupendous success. Yes, this month all eyes are on the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet that has been organized on 9th and 10th September at the Chennai Trade Centre.

Destination Tamil Nadu

Historically, Tamil Nadu’s achievements, especially that of Chennai have been exemplary on many accounts. In fact, the city has always been in the forefront in terms of creating fertile policies and reform environments that have attracted global attention and investments. Interests have indeed poured in from all corners of the globe and have gone on to cement Chennai’s numero uno position as a leading investment destination.

It comes as no surprise then that according to a recent report by Candy GPS, Chennai figures as one of the top 12 realty investment destinations in India, besides bagging the top honour for best city in India 2014 (awards by India Today). Not only does this reassert Chennai’s high potential as an investment haven but it even underlines the fact that the city is primed for further growth in diverse spheres be it infrastructure, technology, industrial or technical industries.

Triumphant Tamil Nadu

The Global Investors’ Meet will focus on key issues that concentrate on the state’s endeavours towards bringing forth the vision of comprehensive development through the channel of direct investments.

It is anticipated that this in turn will oil the wheels and spur growth in many areas with far reaching effects especially with regard to creating more jobs and for nurturing innovation and enterprises. What’s more, there will be massive impetus for overall development of Chennai with even the fringe hinterlands coming into the purview for development and expansion.

The Shared Vision

To say that this is an anticipated event would be undermining its value. It is in fact an eagerly awaited meet that has already galvanised active participation from over a hundred investors belonging to micro, small and medium industries. There is a no holds barred approach with the promotional road shows of this event being simultaneously done in all the districts of the state.

The testimony to the optimism and sanguinity towards GIM can be gauged by one simple fact- It has already garnered over Rs.237 crore investments from the MSME investors and there is expectation that there’s a lot more awaiting on the anvil.

Advantage Realty

The Make in India policy is getting a push like never before and there are many prospective opportunities that are being created so as to encourage investments in every aspect towards all round development in India. Customarily, it has been seen that the real estate industry has played a crucial part in the development progress of any city/ country and is usually seen as a vital link in boosting infrastructural developments along with an expansion of transportation and allied services.

As boundaries shrink, more and more people will naturally gravitate towards better employment opportunities be it in their own home city or in another part of the country altogether. Cities that have presented a superb social, infrastructural and occupational set-up have gained tremendously and continue to see a huge migrant influx.

Tamil Nadu enjoys the elite privilege of being India’s most urbanised state in terms of Geography and population, ranking 48.5% over other states of India. Consequently, Chennai has been advantageous in every developmental aspect and there is much hope in the real estate sector owing to these factors. Furthermore, the existing conducive governance policies have already made India's collective real estate worth a whopping $12 billion and with Make In India and many more economic initiatives, one will find that Chennai’s real estate industry is poised to touch the sky.

Forecast GIM

The Chennai Trade Centre will be a flurry of activity with the meet playing host to many eminent tycoons and investors of various nationalities who will converge collectively on Chennai’s landscape for one purpose - To make the growth story of Tamil Nadu and Chennai bigger and better than ever before.

Buying a Home? Wondering where to start from? A property expo serves to be a win-win situation for both developers and buyers. In the first place, they give developers an occasion to exhibit and create awareness about their projects. This is a great platform to establish connect between developers and potential buyers.

BBCL Property Expo is created to meet prospective buyers directly and give them property  consultation to suit their requirements. This expo offers buyers an opportunity to choose among an array of products from BBCL under one roof.

BBCL team along with the bankers can help customers in finding about the loan process and eligibility towards purchasing their dream home.

8 Reasons to visit BBCL Expo:

1. BBCL projects are wide spread in different locations, it makes sense for the customers to walk-in to the fair and know about all these projects under one roof.
2. Detailed presentation about each project with cost sheet to make buying process easier.
3. Comparing projects based on feature, amenities and location advantages along with rates is the highlight of this fair.
4. Decisions can be taken across the table based on the requirements & budgets, without wasting your time & energy travelling up & down the site to meet our representative. Our Senior Managers at the fair will help you close the deal instantly.
5. BBCL offers an add-on incentive exclusive for BBCL Expo booking.
6. BBCL is also opening bookings for pre-launch of a Township project near Tambaram which will be a never before offer for all the interested buyers.
7. The expo will assist in providing options for home loan. In attendance if one makes a firm booking decision, can avail services at the venue.

So whether it is you or your friend thinking of buying a property, do visit BBCL Property Expo to get the best of deal in Chennai Real Estate!

Venue: DK Kalayana Mandapam, Near Anna Nagar Roundana.
Date: Saturday-Sunday, 23rd-24th May 2015
Time: 10am-8pm

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Luxury is a word that has been used more often in the past decade or so with the Indian standard of living growing and people expecting the best. More people today are exposed to international standards in all spheres and the spending capacity of people has also increased.

As the expectations of people have risen, homes have also become more than just living spaces. People are looking for elements of luxury while buying homes. This has provided the perfect scenario for the development of luxury homes in Chennai.

Luxury homes refer to homes with a wide range of facilities of high-standards that are beyond basic necessities and are a way of refined living. This is targeted for a niche group. These homes are often constructed on sprawling spaces and with elements of international designs. Improved marble flooring, private balconies for every room, separate family rooms, use of glass in the architecture to improve aesthetic quality, European modular kitchen, beach or lake facing views and 3-way ventilation are some of the features of many luxury homes in Chennai. There are luxury 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments, penthouses as well as luxury villas available in Chennai. Luxury apartments are mostly situated in prime areas like Adyar, T.Nagar, Anna Nagar, etc while luxury villas can be found in the suburbs due to obvious space constraints. Innovative design ideas of bringing in architecture styles from all over the world are received well by the people and unique ideas are welcomed. The price of such homes is generally north of 1 crore.

With the metro rail coming up and the suburbs becoming more accessible, there is hope for the development of more luxury and ultra-luxury homes in Chennai to add to the already existing ones. As the people of Chennai remain open to experimenting, builders are infusing homes with more and more unique elements from all around the world to ensure excellence in design and a truly regal way of life.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

A new trend catching up with the people of Chennai is the art of growing a terrace garden or a balcony garden. For people with a green thumb stuck in congested apartments a balcony garden provides the much needed respite while for people who are fortunate to have access to a private terrace but not lucky enough to own a full-fledged garden, a terrace garden comes to the rescue. These gardens can be developed in very little floor space too as they can be expanded both horizontally and vertically. Also, many premium apartments in Chennai are being built with balconies or private terraces that are suitable for gardening.

Apart from passion towards gardening, the desire for organic living and health consciousness are also driving people to take up gardening in indoor spaces. Many people are growing vegetables and fruits in their personal gardens and trying to make their lifestyle as self sustaining as possible. Such gardens, apart from providing recreation, contribute to the green quotient of buildings. These gardens can also reduce electricity bills during summers as they help in keeping the house naturally cool. Most people who grow gardens in terraces/balconies recycle the household waste and use it as manure for the plants. From adding to the aesthetics of homes to insulating families from the effects of inflation, these gardens provide numerous benefits.

But, with great benefits comes responsibility. These gardens require maintenance and need to be tended to constantly. Frequent cleaning and weeding is necessary. These delicate spaces need to be protected from extremities of the weather as well and it takes a few dedicated hours each day to carry out the maintenance routine.

However, this does not seem to deter the growing number of enthusiasts in the city. As diverse people from socially responsible citizens to passionate individuals join in, terrace/balcony gardening is becoming more common is the city and is providing much needed relief amidst the concrete jungle.

The change brought in by the new budget has increased the development of premium homes in Chennai. People want luxury to be a name of their living andso, they are readily willing to pay the price in big metros like Chennai. The builders have also understood the wants and requirements of the buyers and hence, there are many luxury villas and apartments developing mainly in OMR area which has a sea view.

On the other hand there are many people who dream of buying a sea facing homes but are unable to afford the price. Property values in localities along the shoreline such as Besant Nagar, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Tiruvottiyur, Palavakkam and Neelankarai start at bare minimum of Rs.9,000 per sq ft.People who want a house with sea view can look at the following options.

Adyar has a capital value range premium homes in Chennai between Rs.13,000-18,000 per sqft, making it one of the most expensive localities to live in the city. However, if you buy a builder-floor unit of 600-800 sq ft covered area, it will be priced between Rs.40-80 lakh. Buying a property here will not only put you amidst the elites of the city but will also give you access to Adyar creek.

Thiruvanmiyur is another locality where apartments having 600-900 sq ft sizes are priced in the range of Rs.40-75 lakh. The area has a dedicated beach named on the locality, which is a popular attraction destination among the locals. Living here can also put you close to the IT hub stretched along the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

Palavakkam and Neelankarai are neighbouring localities along the ECR. Both have dedicated beaches and offer builder-floor units in the price range of Rs.40-70 lakh with covered area varying from 800-950 sq ft. Buyers here can live close to Palavakkam Beach and Golden Beach.

Tiruvottiyur, situated on the northern part of the city, offers few apartments and houses in the price range of Rs.24-60 lakh. Sizes of such properties range from 600-1200 sq ft. It is one of the oldest inhabited localities in the city and gives access to Tiruvottiyur Beach.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Living in a posh area is a dream for many people in Chennai as not many houses are affordable in the so called‘luxury residential destinations’. Though there are many luxury apartments in Chennai, all of them are concentrated in few areas and are generally not affordable and accessible to many people.

For people who want posh houses at a reasonable price, Alwarpet can surely be their dream home destination. Alwarpet, in addition to being located close to premium residential localities, has reaped benefit due to this proximity. This is in direct contrast to several neighbourhoods of up-market areas which are used as a first point of contact for construction debris, hoardings, booster generators et al. Secondly, most of the upcoming projects are re-developed constructions on large sites (some even combined sites), originally inhabited by middle-class people, who today, are aiming at getting regular income and an improved standard of living. In fact, Alwarpet has been the recipient of several focused facelifts in the past few years. Well planned layouts, relatively well-laid wide roads, presence of upmarket restaurants and lifestyle amenities have rendered this location as the most preferred for investment and rental abodes.

The locality is actually a mixed residential zone in Central Chennai, even though it is fast being classified as an upscale neighbourhood of the city. Property owners have generally been living here for decades now. Thus, the area has a good mix of middle income and High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs). Alwarpet is connected to almost all major parts of the city, and is not far from the Chennai Central Railway Station and is also only about 14 km from the airport. With such advantages and affordable luxury houses being revamped, Alwarpet can surely be said to be a new destination for luxury in Chennai.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

With the Union budget around the corner there are many expectations which are there in all the sectors and the realty sector is not far behind in this race. Chennai has been witnessing evident increase in the houses and villas during the past years. Many luxury flats in Chennai are also built targeting the NRIs and targeting individuals who are looking forward to invest in the city.

Developers and homebuyers have great expectations of financial news from the budget. Reforms such as income tax benefits and reduced interest rate top the list. IT exemption limits are always a big concern for the middle class. Since most home purchases are funded by loans, softening interest rates would create demand in the housing segment and so if in case there is an increase in exemption limit to Rs. 3 lakh it will create more disposable income and savings and would moreover increase the purchasing power. IT deduction under Section 80C from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 is supposed to boost savings. In real estate, raising capital has always been a matter of concern. Builders hope for a considerable reduction in the interest rate and they also feel that stamp duty, registration charges, service tax, local government fees and other extra charges should be removed.

Land reforms

Escalating land prices and the shortage of quality land parcels are a major concern for the developers. Experts are hoping that the budget will include measures to regulate land pricing. Developers must get land in strategic urban locations for developing affordable housing. An agency to coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders should also be set up. Lowering guideline values will also be investor-friendly. Moreover, providing incentives to urban redevelopment projects by permitting higher FSI is also a need.

Faster approvals

It is important to bring in a regulatory mechanism and simplify approvals. Developers need an online single window approval system and deemed approval for residential projects, subject to certain norms. The removal of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for residential projects, except in ecologically sensitive areas, will speed up project and digitisation of maps, coastal regulation zones, and airport restrictions. Moreover, introducing e-governance for all approvals, revenue records and registration processes will also be helpful.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs)

The industry needs better clarity on REITs. Until the government brings in changes to overcome tax hurdles, REITs cannot be effective. The need to hold REIT units for more than 36 months in order to qualify as long-term capital assets may discourage investors. The budget must address this as well and fast-track the process.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The New Year, with its new policies, has set a really positive mood for many industries in the city. It can be claimed that realty sector is one of those that most benefitted from these proceedings. There are many new apartments for sale in Chennai and the builders are happy about the increasing demand.

The real estate market is predominantly driven by end users constituting 75-85 per cent and their typical investment ticket size has been estimated at about Rs. 40-60 Lakh. However, the pent-up demand is slowly entering the market now. Chennai is the preferred destination for corporate occupiers due to availability of skilled professionals and Tamil Nadu specifically accounts for more than 30 per cent of the engineering talent available in the country. The city which has been awarded India Today Best City Award 2014, also boasts of the highest number of chartered accountants in the country. This has led to the the city witnessing growth in IT/ITES along the OMR, GST, Mount-Poonamallee road and Ambattur. The NH4, Oragadam (SH57) and NH5 are also emerging as hot spots for manufacturing, warehousing and logistics related infrastructure. Hence the surrounding areas near the growth corridors would be good investment choices.

Implementing infrastructure projects, reduction in lending rates, introduction of reforms and legislating appropriate policies have been the key demand drivers that have led the revival of realty sector. Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), Metro Corridors 1 and 2 will go a long in improving connectivity to different parts of the city and the metropolitan area. Furthermore, reduction in the lending rates would boost the homebuyers’ sentiment to plunge into investment. The demand for residential units is expected to pick up as well, given the increasing positive investor sentiment. Moreover, expected increase in salary levels and increased employment opportunities are likely to restore investor confidence and push residential sales.

On the other hand, lack of infrastructure, policy paralysis in the state government and delay in planning approval process may be deterrents affecting Chennai realty sector. For launching a project, at least 58 clearances are needed even today. Even after project implementation, it takes 9-12 months to get the nightmarish completion certificate. If a single window clearance system is introduced and sanctions expedited, on an average property prices would cost Rs 400 per sq ft less on account due to efficiency in the system. The approval process is the key to keep the supply side open, reducing the cost of operation to the developer and thereby benefiting the consumers as well.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The cost of properties in Chennai varies from area to area and according to their sizes, and so the buyers need to form a solid idea about the budget before they buy a property. In Chennai one can find homes ranging from 1BHK flats to ultra luxury property for sale both in the hub and outskirts of the city. So people must understand about procedures like single window clearance which can benefit them a lot.

Cutting down repo rates by 25 basis points, the RBI has made clear its intention to pave the way for a healthy economy. The new government can consider setting up a separate apex body or single window system which can govern the real estate sector. There is a big need for a single window system which will address the issues faced by this money- and labour-intensive sector. Access to funds at reduced costs for builders is one area which needs the government’s attention. Most banks and financial institutions do not encourage financing builders and even if they do it is at a high cost. Borrowing from other sources is an expensive proposition. Reducing the rate of interest on credit for builders will reduce the cost of construction, and in turn, bring down the cost of housing for the buyer.

Real estate supports many allied sectors such as iron, steel and cement. However, it is always at the receiving end when it comes to the costs of procuring these materials. Fluctuations in prices have severely affected the builder community in the past and in some cases had even led to builders stalling projects. The government needs to regulate prices of essential building materials. A single window clearance system for builders is the need of the hour. Today, as many as 50 clearances are needed to start work on a project and these come from various government departments and local self-governments.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Investment has become a necessary affair for the people and many individuals want to invest in a property with all the amenities and luxury so that they can enjoy a classy lifestyle in midst of their busy schedule. The builders of Chennai have understood this really well and as a result there are many ultra luxury homes for sale in Chennai nowadays.

As we are all aware, people have a busy life nowadays and barely find time to properly pay their bills and other costs yet living in a society has many advantages and one of them is having common paying initiative. Several housing society management software are available in the market that provide end-to-end services. Such software has helped individuals pay their day-to-day utility bills and manage their other home maintenance work from the office or while travelling or even while enjoying a holiday within seconds using a laptop, tablet or a smart phone. Moreover, today a number of people prefer to live in co-operative housing societies or integrated townships.

Nevertheless, such online software has helped the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to manage societies well. Residents can get timely reminders for payments, on their cell phones and e-mails. This reduces dependence on manpower and the issues are resolved quickly as well. Moreover, these software applications bring transparency to the system. Not only do they save time and make their work easy but also help in boosting the efficiency while reducing the workload.

The housing society management software is user-friendly. Nevertheless, some people with little or no knowledge can face some difficulty at the initial stage. However, online services are available to assist such individuals.At every standard precautions and measures are taken to ensure the data remains secure. Use of cloud server, firewalls, HTTPs, Linux based software, bio-metric system; layered applications, skill scripting, MVC technology and a timely upgrade have helped to keep the information secure.

Overall to conclude, there has been a change in trend as many societies are switching to this software system. It has been helpful in carrying out their work efficiently and in much easier manner although the implementation of this system may be quiet expensive.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Green homes are a fast spreading concept in the cities and Chennai is nowhere behind in the concept. Green homes not only means a house which is constructed in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner but also has aspects like eco-friendly appliances and plants which increase the nature’s worth as a whole.

Builders and promoters are flocking to Chennai and every other day a new flat for sale in Chennai can be seen, but how far these are sustainable is another question. Plants are an important part for making the homes look and feel much eco-friendly and one with the nature. People may be bored with the concept of having only green plants and may want to have plants which require less attention, are beautiful to look at and are ornamental. Bougainvillea is one such plant that gives a beautiful appeal to the house. The bougainvillea plant can add rich colour to a tropical home garden, with very little effort. Bougainvillea’s flowering peaks in winter, unlike many common garden plants and they can be grown as potted plants, hanging plants, and even bonsais. They make for great hedge plants too, as they have woody stems, dense foliage, thorns, and the potential of growing up to 10-15 feet.

The tiny flowers of the bougainvillea plant are hidden behind their colourful bracts, and these bracts are easily mistaken as its flowers. These plants must be sparingly watered every day – just enough to keep the top soil damp and the soil should be well drained as well. Being an easy maintenance plant, the bougainvillea is one for an eco-friendly atmosphere in a home with very less effort.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

There have been changes in the realty sector in the city after the new government has taken charge and even many luxury homes for sale in Chennai have been having good appreciation despite their high prices. This being the scenario on one side, the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill continues to hang fire and is likely to be brought in during the coming session of Parliament in February after it was deferred during the winter session.

With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s focus on affordable housing and housing for the economically weaker sections in the country, the Union Housing Ministry is learnt to have been asked to introduce changes in the proposed Bill to include provisions to take care of these concerns. The government is mainly focusing on housing for all people by 2022. Affordability is a key concern for the government as price of property continues to rise in the country, especially in urban areas, despite a lack of perceivable buoyancy in the market. The Real Estate Bill is meant to introduce transparency in real estate dealings and provide protection to property buyers by imposing certain conditions on what is now an unregulated sector. The passing of the Bill will also see establishment of regulatory bodies at the State and Central levels, making it possible to get grievances addressed through established and institutionalised process.

At the same time, the recent Ordinance amending the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, is among the factors that are expected to give a boost to real property development activities in the country during the year. The Ordinance on land acquisition would reduce transactional and opportunity cost and will affect the buyers and sellers in a good way.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

There are many new apartment projects in Chennai being promoted in the past few years but there has not been any change in the interest rates due to the high inflation that has been affecting our country. This situation may change as the RBI seems to have taken a note of the interest rates and reduced the repo rate by 0.25% or 25 basis points.

The repo rate, key policy rate at which the banks borrow to meet their short-term funding deficits, was reduced to 7.75% from 8% which no doubt is a huge boost for the sagging economy. Lower than expected inflation levels, unprecedented fall in the crude prices, improved trade deficit, and rise in the manufacturing sector output are all a few positives that has lead to this surprise announcement by the central bank much ahead of its February monetary policy.

The biggest beneficiary of this rate cut obviously would be the home loan segment, the largest lending and borrowing segment for banks and financial institutions. Considering the rates were in the range of 12% a year ago, the new rates would surely bring smiles to the borrowers’ faces. A few banks have promptly announced new lending rates which is as low as 10% with a promise of more such reductions in the coming months. Apart from being beneficial for new borrowers, it would be positive for existing borrowers as well whose EMIs would be reset in line with the rate cut.

If the inflation levels continue to offer the desired comfort to the RBI we can expect more such cuts in the near future which would help not only the home loan borrowers but also boost the real estate segment that hopes to bring new buyers. With the haze that had shrouded the interest rates getting cleared, floating rate option of loans would continue to look attractive. It would be highly recommended not to choose the fixed rate until a few more rate cuts.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Chennaites nowadays are looking for locations in the city where they can be close to luxury but still have an affordable tag on the property. There are many ultra luxury apartments in Chennai mainly in areas like Poes Garden where the elite and affluent people of Chennai tend to live. Though many people may want to settle in such a location, the cost of the properties is not always that attractive to the buyers.

There are many a good alternative for people who want homes close to such luxury destinations at an affordable cost. T. Nagar and Alwarpet are equally nice residential locations which are close to Poes Garden and offer homes in a budget of around 0.5-3 crorewhich is relatively affordable as against a home at Poes Garden where residential houses are only available in a budget range of Rs 13-80 crore. Residents living here have a dual advantage as they remain close to the city’s luxury pockets and don’t have to face the usual traffic jams and road blocks, unlike Poes Garden where round the clock tight security and restricted access to main road adds to the woes of buyers.

Nungambakkam is a premium locality as it is home to several up-market offices, shopping complexes as well as institutions that employ some of the highly paid population of the city. It is another sought-after luxury destination in Chennai having close alternatives in areas like Chetpet, Choolaimedu and Kodambakkam. Property offered here includes builder floors as well as multi-storey apartments, available at a starting price of Rs 45 lakh in Choolaimedu and Rs 42 lakh in Kodambakkam.

However, if you want to invest in a bigger home, you need to pay at least Rs 70 lakh for an 800-1000 sq ft 2BHK flat in both these areas. However, for a similar size home in Nungambakkam, you need to pay at least Rs 1.5 croregoing up to Rs 4 crore for a 2BHK flat, depending upon the amenities and the profile of the building. Although these areas share a common neighbourhood with Chennai’s most expensive locality, heavy traffic, especially during the peak hours, is a major shortfall for Choolaimedu.

Living in the lap of luxury may be a dream to many people but living close to luxury is no longer a dream to many in Chennai.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Velachery is surely a fast developing suburb in Chennai but not many people can afford the houses in this area because the prices of the properties are going up by the day due to high demand. If someone wants a house which is close by to Velachery at the same time has a nominal cost then Thoraipakkam will surely fit the bill.

Located in South Chennai along the IT Expressway, it is about 7 km away (15-20 minutes drive) from Velachery and offers comparatively affordable property prices. There are many big residential projects in Thoraipakkam which are being promoted by famous builders from all over India. The average pricing for an apartment varies from Rs 4,600-7,000 per sq ft, whereas, in Velachery the values are Rs 6,700-7,500 per sq ft. Thoraipakkam is located close to many IT hubs in Chennai and this has also resulted in the increased demand of houses in this area.

Thoraipakkam is situated along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and thus there is no issue of connectivity and the traffic flow is also constant. It is also connected to the Grand Sothern Trunk Road (GST) via the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road; this in turn makes Thoraipakkam well connected to the airport, especially after the opening of the flyover at the western end of the radial road. While the radial road ensured that the airport is just 30 minutes from Thoraipakkam, the rail connectivity with Velachery and the TIDEL Park Railway Stations, situated roughly at a distance of 5-6 km on each side of Thoraipakkam, offers working professionals to commute via train too.

The area has widespread availability of 2 and 3BHK apartments in sizes of 1150-1700 sq ft, and also caters to people who are looking for individual villas away from the crowded city. These apartments and houses are well connected to the main city through local buses and public transports and Thoraipakkam also has all social amenities like banks, schools and ATMs. Medical facilities are also available in abundance as a number of hospitals are present in the area. For food lovers, the area has some of the renowned brands such as KFC, Mainland China, Sangeetha Hotel etc, that dot the landscape of the area.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

The period when 2 BHK budget apartments were much sought after residential pace in Chennai is fast changing in Chennai because of the rising demand in luxury and ultra luxury homes in Chennai. Investors who may vary from NRIs to IT professionals are all looking for homes which will provide ultimate luxury for the money that they are investing and many builders have caught up with the requirements of people. Famous builders and promoters in Chennai are building apartments in Velachery, T. Nagar, OMR and ECR areas which are said to be the investment hubs of Chennai.

The luxury apartments are different from a normal apartment on many levels as the builders try providing at most luxury to their clients. One of the main advantages of a luxury apartment may be its location; many of the upcoming luxury apartments in Chennai are located in prime areas where the properties are sure to be appreciated. There are few other basic key points which make a property luxurious, for instance many apartments nowadays have a gym facility inside for the residents but luxury residences also have advantages like hot baths, spas, mini theatres and recreation centres within the compound of the residence itself.

One other thing to notice is the amount of space available within and outside a luxury home. More space coupled with the arrangement of furniture automatically adds an opulent look and makes for better aesthetics when compared to that of normal homes. People who purchase such luxury apartments will want to have an edge over other properties which they definitely will have because of the scope for appreciation of these properties. People are ready to shell in Rs.60-70 lakh for an apartment if they see potential in the property and if it has all modern amenities.

Most builders in Chennai make sure that their properties have state of art infrastructure and technology with round the clock security and surveillance. It is also made sure the transportation is convenient for the residents of the property. With all the added advantages that a person derives from such a luxury apartment, they will surely have a great return by investing in such a property.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

There are many apartments being promoted in the suburban areas like Ambattur, Mogappair, and OMR which are fast developing centres close to the city. Apartments in Mogappair and other nearby areas are available in both budget and luxury categories because of the demand for both options in such suburban localities.

Houses located in suburban locality have better space and ambience than those which are in the city. So there is ample scope of innovative designing inside the apartments. When purchasing a house, traditionally the house is painted initially in white so that people can have an option to paint another colour later. Till few years ago, paints used to be normal and plain and they were not eco-friendly. People used to have a difficult time living in a newly painted house because of the odour and the toxic emissions from the paint.

The scenario has totally changed today and many options are available in the market. In fact people no longer need to paint with available alternatives such as wallpapers and textures which do not cause a hassle to fix and also after fixing. If a person still wants to use paints in his/her house, the individual can opt for eco-friendly paints which have reduced or no emission of the volatile and toxic substances. The present trend is having a contemporary style in the house with subtle colours, like beige or cream, with minimal furniture to go along with the theme. When such theme is needed, wallpapers have great scope in properly blending in the decor of the rooms as they are cost effective as well. On the same lines, wall stickers and wall decals are simple décor elements that can be put up with ease. The materials used range from PVC Film, acrylic and vinyl to paper pulp, which creates a 3D effect. Floral patterns, contemporary designs, wordings, cartoon figures are some of the most common themes today.

About BBCL: Established in 1986, BBCL is trusted developer for villas, plots and apartments in Chennai operating in 3 segments such as Premium/Luxury/Ultra Luxury. Currently the company has over 2 million sq.ft of residential spaces in various locations. In the last two decades, the company has executed over 40 projects in the city. BBCL aims to set new standards for quality in creating the home that reflects its true brand philosophy, "Adding Life To Living". Our easily approachable team is aware of how important a home buying experience is, catering to every query and requirement of clients is of chief primacy at BBCL.

Chennai has always been a city which has intrigued people with its vast range of prospects and scope for expansion. Investors have a wide range of options to choose from when looking for investing in Chennai. Ranging from luxury flats in central Chennai to villas in ECR, people have a lot to choose from according to the nature of their requirement.

The investment market in Chennai has positively changed in the past quarter due to various reasons. According to Candy GPS Report, Chennai is one of the top 12 realty investment destinations. It shows that Chennai has potential for development both in the infrastructure and technological sides.

There are many reasons as to why a person must be investing in Chennai right now; few of them are given here. Chennai is a fast developing metropolitan city in South India and has all modern infrastructure and amenities. Investment in Chennai during this period is a right one as there is definite scope for appreciation of the property. The city has many reputed schools and esteemed colleges which are well connected by public transport systems. The transport system is one of the main advantages for investing in Chennai; with the metro rails fast upcoming, and already existing train and bus system, even the suburban parts of the city are well connected. IT companies are regaining their lost position which seems to be attracting many professionals to the booming IT hubs in Chennai like OMR, Perungudi, Thoraipakkam, Velachery, Porur etc which are also prospective investment spaces. Apart from IT companies, manufacturing units are also gaining fast pace after the Make In India Movement which is pushing people to produce and buy Indian products over foreign goods.

Chennai on the whole is a city which combines the aspects of a fast developing modern city and the goodness of the traditional wellness which will give a balanced life to people here.