The changing face of luxury
| An ever-expanding list of luxury features is what builders are coming
up with in their bid to attract customers to premium flats and villas.
SHYAMA RAJAGOPAL describes what adds up to luxury these days. |
PHOTO: MAHESH HARILAL
INVITING LOOK: A spacious lobby is a mark of luxury.
A swimming pool and a health club are passé now, when it
comes to premium or luxury flats. The latest offers of the builders may include
a jogging track, a sauna and a pool Jacuzzi - just to name a few.
To attract high-end customers, the builders are out to
provide their customers more and more goodies.
The concept of luxury varies, perhaps. But to nail it down on
some broad parameters — location, ambience, quality materials and amenities
are the key considerations.
Matter of
space
In a city such as Kochi, space is a definite luxury. The
spread of the villa and the landscaped areas outside are equally important as
the space inside. A spacious lobby is a luxury, said Mr. Abdul Azeez, Managing
Director of Skyline Builders. It gives an idea of what more to expect inside an
apartment.
Just imagine getting into a beautifully located apartment
through a narrow or dingy lobby. The first impression would fall flat here. The
more spacious an apartment, it would give a customer the feel of living in a
bungalow than in a flat. Ambience, location and the finishing is what gives the
feel of luxury, said Mr. Azeez.
Since more amenities not possible in a limited space,
builders often offer a trade-off between space and location. Definitely, an
apartment in the city would be more costly than one in the suburb because of the
land value. But, it is luxury too to have an apartment located near to a key
city area and have so many facilities just outside.
In apartments and villas located on at least an acre of land,
facilities such as a jogging track or a tennis court can be made available, said
Mr. Azeez. Waterfront location and a large space are luxuries, he said. So too
are the `vertical' bungalows, in which there is only one apartment on a floor.
There is ventilation on all sides and total privacy too, he added.
Community
living
Community living is a luxury and is the new `in' thing.
Living is a flat or apartment is being made more appealing by providing all that
the residents require within the building, even a shopping complex or a
restaurant. The concept is only slowly catching up. Kochi is not considered a
metro, but the attitude of people is definitely metro-like, said Kapil Nagpal of
the Nagpal Builders. The need of meeting the housing demands is perhaps the
concern of a majority of builders. It is also important that these needs are met
among all categories of people from those with low to high budgets.
Cost-wise, there are three categories. One is the standard
flat available between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.15 lakh. The medium range of flats,
which have many facilities, may be between Rs.15 lakh and Rs.30 lakh. Luxury
flats are generally classified as anything costing from Rs.30 lakh upwards.
There are people who are willing to spend Rs.2 crore to Rs.3
crore or more on a villa, said Mr. Nagpal. The concept of a complete township is
catching up with people, said Rafi Mather of the Mather Group.
Wooing
customers
Builders are in a rush to pick out unique ideas in luxurious
living. Projecting each of their luxury projects as one that promises the
ultimate in facilities, competition among builders is keen in this respect.
There could be more than one swimming pool - one exclusively for children. A
walkway, a running track, a badminton court, a tennis court, club house, more
than one party area and a children's play area also constitute luxury amenities.
Some of the builders also provide air-conditioned guest
suites, so that guests do not break the privacy at home. They also not do they
have to pay for a hotel room. A driver's dormitory, a play school for children,
video security, computer games café and garbage chute are some of the amenities
that are also add-ons that could come with a luxury apartment.
Security
Security is a major concern, said Mr. Nagpal. In one of their
apartments, a resident watching television would be able to see who has rung the
doorbell by changing the channels. Likewise, in the water front villas and
apartments, security at the boat jetties and pool sides are intrinsic to the
project, he said. Exclusive speed boats and water scooters are some of the added
highlights, said Mr. Nagpal
Terrace
space
Exclusive terrace space is also a luxury facility. Usually,
terraces are common. Some builders are providing a garden area in a flat, like a
project by Good Earth. A double-glazed exterior is a luxury facility as it makes
the apartment soundproof and at the same time provides a full view of the
exterior.
For doing up the interiors there is no holding back on luxury
items.
Right from centrally air-conditioned apartments to
remote-controlled, intelligent electrical and electronic working systems.
Furnishings of various kinds also give a luxury touch to the
apartments.
Flooring
Flooring itself would be of many types. From the latest
Italian marbles or vitrified tiles to wooden flooring, the concept of luxury
changes with each customer. While some would like to give a cosy feel with
wooden floors, some would prefer a sleek finish. Builders are ready to provide
all this and more. Paint finishes are now available in very fine shades and
textures. Detailing has become important in doing the interiors, be it flooring
or painting the walls or in providing a designer touch for each room.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are another area where there is no limit in adding
luxury. From the top class sanitary ware to bath-fittings and furnishing, there
are quite a few add-ons that are provided by different manufacturers. A glass
washbasin is a latest feature in sanitary ware. So are towel storage cupboards
or magazine holders. The tiles, available in different shades, styles and
textures offer different themes and concepts too. Luxury is, however, an
ever-changing theme, said Mr. Azeez. What was considered luxury ten years ago is
no longer valid today. When new materials come into the market, it becomes
fashionable to be part of the trend created by them.
Courtesy: Property Plus, The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2006/11/11/stories/2006111100660100.htm
