Old Mahabalipuram Road paves the way for realty development

Chennai

The setting up of TIDEL Park on Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in 2000 changed the landscape of the stretch forever, paving the way for the development of the IT corridor, as we know it, today. This development, naturally, led to the creation of a premium residential housing market along the belt starting from Madhya Kailash, all the way to Thiruporur, and beyond. OMR may have seemed like a distant suburb a few years ago, but now, it is very much a part of the city.

As Chitty Babu, MD and Chairman, Akshaya Pvt Ltd, points out, “OMR, up to Sholinganallur, is essentially an extension of the city, and should not be considered a suburb anymore. Take Velachery, for instance. Until recently, it was considered a low lying suburb that was only in the news during monsoons. But now, it’s a thriving residential and commercial zone, and very much a part of the city.”

The location of OMR – its proximity to Adyar, for example – has attracted large scale residential development here. This gives the area a distinct pricing advantage, says Chiity Babu. “The prices (per sq ft) are almost half of that in Adyar,” he adds, “So, at a distance of less than 5km from Adyar, one can procure an apartment for half the price.” Another factor that works to its advantage is its proximity to ECR. Badal Yagnik, MD, Jones Lang LaSalle, Chennai, says, “Prices on ECR are 50-60% higher than that along OMR. And both corridors are witnessing plenty of development in the residential/ commercial sectors.”

Although it was the IT sector that initially fuelled growth along OMR, it’s no longer the sole growth driver. As Badal Yagnik says, “It’s the demand for housing that has been driving growth in this area over the last few years.” He continues, “Last year, for instance, the city saw office absorption to the tune of 5 million sq ft, while this year, it is only 2 million sq ft. A large chunk of this space lies on OMR. Despite the fall in absorption rates, the demand for housing has been soaring along the OMR.”

While the stretch from Madhya Kailash to Sholinganallur has been witnessing maximum demand, even beyond Sholinganallur, the demand, though not as robust, exists. Badal says, “Prices along the Madhya Kailash-Sholinganallur belt have been increasing by 20% year-on-year. However, some of the best schools are coming up in large townships planned in the latter half of OMR.

Places like Padur, for instance, are set to grow, with malls like Marg Junction, and residential projects planned in the vicinity.” Any further development on OMR is bound to happen after the toll gate, due to non-availability of land on the stretch from Madhya Kailash to the toll gate. Chitty Babu adds that while prices (per sq ft) range around 7,500 until Sholinganallur, they are about 3,000 to 4,000 in the area from the toll gate to Thiruporur, and lesser as you move further.

Source: Times Property, The Times of India, Chennai

Demand for office space down in Chennai

Chennai

The office market in Chennai witnessed an overall absorption of less than 1 million sq ft during the first quarter this year. The Central Business District (CBD) encompassing areas of Anna Salai, T Nagar, RK Salai, Alwarpet, Nungambakkam witnessed a dip in demand for office space with negligible absorption of around 0.09 million sq ft being reported in the present quarter, largely in smaller and medium format office spaces.

However, due to negligible supply addition rental values firmed up by about 2-3% on a quarter over quarter basis, according to the first quarter report by CB Richard Ellis.

The Off/Non CBD micro-market of MRC Nagar, Guindy and Taramani witnessed stagnation in market activity when compared to the previous quarter. Absorption was recorded at around 0.16 million sq ft. However rental values witnessed a marginal increase of 4-5% on a q-o-q basis, primarily due to low supply pressures when compared to the suburban micro-markets.

A nominal supply of 0.08 million sq ft was released; vacancy level was in the range of 3 – 4%. The Suburban Business District (SBD) including areas such as Velachery, Perungudi, Mount Poonamallee Road witnessed maximum activity during this quarter with an absorption of almost 0.32 million sq ft being reported, compared to around 0.25 million sq ft in the previous quarter.

On the supply side, no significant additions were witnessed during the review period. Rental values increased by about 5-8% on a quarter on quarter basis; vacancy level was around 7 – 8% in the present quarter.

The Peripheral Business District (PBD) of Perungalathur, Sholinganallur, Siruseri, Ambattur and GST Road witnessed minimal activity with absorption of only around 0.08 million sq ft, compared to around 0.45 million sq ft in the previous quarter. The region witnessed an addition of around 0.72 million sq ft of fresh IT space, the only major supply addition in the city during the review period. Supply pressures and stagnating demand led to a downward pressure being created on rental values and a steep increment in vacancy levels to around 18-20% in the present quarter.

Market Outlook

The overall market sentiment, however, continues to remain positive which is expected to translate into healthy absorption over the coming few quarters. The SEZ segment should continue to witness supply addition, thereby being a major contributor to the office market in the city. IT and back-office operations are expected to continue to remain major contributors to office demand and transaction activity. Rental values are expected to remain largely stable across most micro-markets over the coming few quarters.

V Nagarajan, Property Consultant

Source: http://content.magicbricks.com/demand-for-office-space-down-in-chennai

ECR Chennai to become wider

Chennai

More than 300 structures, mostly commercial buildings, between Thiruvanmiyur and Sholinganallur are likely to be demolished for the widening of East Coast Road (ECR).

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Projects (CMDP) wing of the state highways department has identified the buildings so that the work to widen the 11.8km stretch can begin.

Sources said detailed revised estimates were submitted to the government recently.The estimates include cost of land acquisition of Rs 350 crore and construction costs of Rs 50 crore.

A survey by the state highways department has identified 8.752 hectares on both sides of the stretch for the project. “The project will be discussed at the upcoming departmental budgetary meeting on April 20, and is expected to get clearance,” government sources said.

ECR is to be widened to six lanes between Thiruvanmiyur and Sholinganallur, a stretch maintained by the state highways.

ECR was built in 1998 by linking a series of village roads connecting 154 fishing villages along the coast. Every day, about 10,000 vehicles use the road as against 3,000 vehicles in 2001 when ECR was inaugurated. “The original estimate of the project when it was mooted in 2005 was Rs 10 crore. Any delay would result in the cost rising further,” a source said.

The government took a year to identify 30.5 metres of land required on either side of the road between Thiruvanmiyur and Sholinganallur. Land has been identified in Thiruvanmiyur, Kottivakkam, Neelankarai, Palavakkam, Injambakkam and Sholinganallur. The most land will be acquired in Injambakkam. “We have informed residents and shop owners about the project. So far no one has filed litigation,” sources said.

Source: The Times of India, Chennai

Resale property prices in Chennai reach a new high

Chennai

With Chennai’s residential property prices consistently moving north, location specific homebuyers are keen to settle for resale units available in city areas. Proximity to educational institutions, hospitals and retail facilities convince them to opt for resale properties.

Moreover, those looking at investing in larger units in city areas are also keen to dispose of their existing city units and opt for new units through bridge finance. All these compelling factors have virtually pushed the prices for resale apartments to a new high.

The price mismatch between old and new units is narrowing down to just 20-25 per cent now due to surge in demand for resale units, according to industry sources. Here again the demand varies depending on the specific location and property developers have a long waiting list from location specific customers for booking new units as and when new projects are launched at city locations.

For instance, in Kodambakkam while the new units are quoted anywhere between Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000 per sqft, a resale unit deals took place place at Rs 6,500 per sqft, say realtors. Similar is the case in Nungambakkam at Rs 8,000 per sqft and Nolumbur at Rs 4,000 per sqft.

The demand for resale units particularly for middle class budget segment has been strong and growing, feels H Balasubramanian, Managing Director of Bhoomi Realty. The apartments coming up for resale are mostly located in gated community developments and in proximity to a range of facilities which makes life a little bit easier for Chennaites to avoid commuting long distances, he adds.

The demand for resale units is particularly strong in city areas like T Nagar, Nungambakkam, Chrompet, Nanganallur, Velachery, Nolumbur, Anna Nagar, Adyar and Besant Nagar apart from suburban locations like Sholinganallur on the IT corridor. There is a growing demand for other areas as well but the demand hinges on competitive pricing.

Even housing board flats with larger UDS are in big demand in areas like Besant Nagar and Kotturpuram as city land prices are soaring, says Murali, a realtor with Estate Points. With the redevelopment trend gaining momentum people are keen to invest in resale units now, he adds.

According to realtors, the trend is likely to continue until infrastructure development improves in suburban and peripheral areas with the emergence of more educational, health and retail amenities and connectivity levels.

V Nagarajan, Property Consultant

Source: http://content.magicbricks.com/resale-property-prices-in-chennai-reach-a-new-high