Brick & Bolt, India's leading tech-enabled construction company, has launched GARANT, an integrated real estate consultancy platform aimed at ensuring predictable, profitable, and compliant outcomes for developers, landowners, and investors. The initiative, unveiled earlier this month, extends the company's expertise from construction to advisory and project execution. Through advanced AI tools, milestone-based funding, and a compliance-driven framework, GARANT seeks to eliminate inefficiencies and uncertainties in India's fragmented real estate development process.Read more

India's office real estate market is strengthening, with demand reaching 34.5 million sq ft in H1 2025, according to the CREDAI-CRE Matrix report. Vacancy rates fell by 210 basis points year-on-year, driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and steady domestic absorption. Bengaluru, MMR, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad led activity, with IT/ITeS (24%), BFSI (20%), and co-working (19%) dominating leasing. Hyderabad accounted for 29% of co-working demand and is on track to surpass MMR in total stock. Pune and Hyderabad together supplied over half of new additions, while Pune and Bengaluru generated 40% of demand. Strong leasing in NCR and upcoming supply in Ahmedabad signal continued resilience.Read more

UrbanVault has expanded its operations with the opening of an 80,000 square feet co-working centre at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru, featuring 2,000 desks. The company leased the Grade A office space from Embassy Group and has already onboarded clients such as Cloud Odyssey, Pioneer, and SRM Tech. CEO Amal Mishra highlighted the location's importance in Bengaluru's enterprise ecosystem and outlined plans for continued national expansion. With this launch, UrbanVault manages over 2.58 million square feet and more than 42,000 seats across major Indian cities, achieving a turnover of INR 120 crore in 2024-25.Read more

Hong Kong's retail market showed steady growth in July, with sales by value rising 1.8% and volume increasing 1%, marking the third consecutive month of gains. Total retail sales for the first seven months remain below last year's level, but government officials expect consumer confidence to stay stable, supported by tourism promotion and large-scale events. Tourist arrivals, particularly from mainland China, increased significantly, although many trips were brief. Jewellery and luxury goods led growth, while clothing and footwear showed small improvements, reflecting a cautious but steady recovery in consumer spending and retail activity.Read more

Star Localmart, the retail arm of Sanjay Ghodawat Group, has acquired Bengaluru-based DusMinute, a gated community retail chain, for an undisclosed amount. The deal adds 40 outlets to its network, boosting its footprint to 170 stores, making it the largest regional retail player in Karnataka. The company, already eyeing revenue of INR 5,000 crore in the next five years, has plans to scale up to 3,000 stores by 2030 across multiple states.Read more

According to a report by Knight Frank India and NAREDCO, aerocities surrounding major Indian airports are set to become strong economic hubs. With air passenger numbers expected to rise further, non-aeronautical revenues from retail, hospitality, and leasing could touch USD 29.5 bn annually, up 26 percent from current levels. Airports developed under the PPP model already account for the majority of such income, and hubs like Delhi and Mumbai are matching international benchmarks in per-passenger earnings. Aerocities are now viewed as long-term growth engines, offering stable income, real estate development, and increased global connectivity.Read more

The Mumbai civic body's repair work on the Jog flyover in Andheri, initially budgeted at INR 76 crore, now requires an additional INR 8 crore for strengthening the bridge's columns. This extra cost was recommended by a joint team from IIT and VJTI after new tests revealed a need for structural reinforcement. The BMC has approved INR 2 crore and is now asking the Public Works Department (PWD) to either undertake the work or cover the remaining costs. The project, which was initiated after a slab of the flyover's underpart fell on a car in July 2024, highlights the challenges of repairing aging city infrastructure.Read more

The Uttar Pradesh government has expanded its stamp duty relief policy to include ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities, joining women who were already eligible. This move offers a 1% rebate on stamp duty, capped at INR 1 lakh, for properties valued up to INR 1 crore. The state is also introducing mandatory e-payments for fees above INR 20,000, Aadhaar authentication for identity verification, and a single-window e-registration system for development authority allottees. Digitization of historical deeds and CCTV installation at sub-registrar offices are also being strengthened to improve transparency.Read more

Chinese developer Seazen Group has introduced Blockchain Metaverse Academy as a strategic partner through a USD 6.3 million share placement. The move is aimed at advancing real-world asset (RWA) applications, a field gaining traction among property firms exploring digital assets. Seazen will issue about 0.27 percent of its enlarged shares at a price slightly above its last trading value. This initiative follows the launch of Seazen Digital Assets Institute in Hong Kong, which is studying the tokenization of intellectual property and asset income. The partnership is expected to lower risks, reduce costs, and speed up innovation in RWA applications.Read more

The Think Change Forum has called for GST 2.0 to simplify India's tax structure by adopting only two slabs 5 per cent and 18 per cent with the peak rate capped at 18 per cent. The report argues that a 40 per cent slab would create scope for gradual expansion, undermining simplification. It recommends transparency in additional cesses, eliminating anomalies like inverted duty structures, and avoiding hidden revenue measures. The GST Council is set to discuss these reforms, which aim to enhance compliance, reduce distortions, and support India's economic growth while moving toward a single nationwide tax rate.Read more

The Karnataka government has revised its registration fee structure, doubling charges for certain documents such as Joint Development Agreements and General Power of Attorney. The rate has increased from INR 10 to INR 20 for every INR 1,000 value, while fixed charges of INR 1 have been raised to INR 2. Applicants who had already booked slots or paid fees are required to pay the difference online. The move, aimed at improving revenue collection, is expected to bring in INR 3,000 crore, though it has drawn criticism for adding pressure on homebuyers.Read more

JD Property, the infrastructure and asset management division of JD.Com, has teamed up with Partners Group and EZA Hill Property to create a Singapore-based real estate investment trust (REIT) valued at over USD 1 billion. The REIT is expected to be listed on the Singapore Exchange early next year and will include recently acquired logistics assets. The partners are working towards finalising the portfolio by October. The development highlights growing investor confidence in Singapore's REIT market, alongside increasing cross-border investment from Chinese and international capital.Read more

Shuubham Garg, Founder and CEO of Garg Realty Group

India's real estate sector, valued at USD 265 billion in 2024, is projected to near USD 1 trillion by 2030, making it a prime destination for institutional capital. Regulatory reforms like RERA, GST, and eased FDI norms have boosted transparency, attracting pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity, with inflows expected to reach USD 6-7 billion in 2025. Grade A offices remain the largest draw, supported by strong absorption and REIT success, while affordable housing and warehousing are gaining momentum. Sustainability is now central, with 40% of new supply green-certified. Annual institutional inflows are projected to cross USD 8 billion by 2027.Read more

Aroundtown, one of Germany's largest listed landlords, posted a first-half profit of €578 million (USD 677 million), a sharp turnaround from a €330 million loss a year earlier, aided by a rebound in residential and commercial property prices. Profit had already tripled in the prior quarter, reinforcing recovery momentum, while like-for-like rental income grew 3% across its German and Dutch portfolio. Despite reaffirming its full-year guidance, shares slipped on investor profit-taking. The company also announced CFO Ben David will step down after 17 years, with deputy Jonas Tintelnot set to succeed him. Analysts called the results solid, reflecting resilience and stability.Read more

A recent CBRE survey revealed that companies across Asia Pacific have been enforcing stricter return-to-office protocols, with a notable rise in consequences for non-compliance. The survey also highlighted a growing link between office attendance and performance reviews, alongside a renewed focus on workplace optimisation and employee experience. Stricter protocols are driving fresh demand for quality office spaces, particularly in central business districts, where competition for prime locations is intensifying amid limited vacancy rates and economic uncertainty.Read more

Nexus Seawoods Mall in Navi Mumbai is preparing to host Onam Opulence in collaboration with Seawoods Malayali Samajam this coming weekend. The event will feature a nine-metre floral Pookalam crafted from nearly 250 kg of flowers, alongside an array of Kerala's cultural performances including Thiruvathirakali, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Poothappattu and Chenda Melam. Mythological characters will join the festivities through a traditional procession, culminating in a grand fusion finale that celebrates Kerala's heritage.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has searched premises linked to real estate company BPTP across the Delhi-NCR region, as part of a foreign exchange violation case involving funds of about INR 500 crore. The probe, launched under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), alleges that BPTP received foreign investment from Mauritius-based companies in contravention of the existing rules during 2007-2008. The company's CMD, Kabul Chawla, is also under scrutiny for allegedly holding foreign assets. A BPTP spokesperson stated that the company is fully cooperating with the authorities and is confident its position will be clarified.Read more

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has leased 1.4 million sq ft in Electronic City, Bengaluru, on a 15-year lease at 360 Business Park, developed by Labzone Electronics City Pvt Ltd. The INR 2,130 crore deal will be executed in two phases starting April 1, 2026, and August 1, 2026. Terms include monthly rent of INR 9.31 crore, 12% escalation every three years, and a security deposit of INR 112 crore. The space gives TCS a large, contiguous footprint as it consolidates operations and expands delivery capacity. The transaction is part of a INR 4,500 crore expansion across Kolkata, Kochi, and Hyderabad, amid strong office absorption led by GCCs and IT majors.Read more

Sri Lotus Developers and Realty reported a steep decline in consolidated net profit for the first quarter of the fiscal year, with earnings falling to INR 25.8 crore against INR 40.2 crore in the same period last year. Total income also contracted to INR 68.1 crore. Despite the fall in performance following its recent IPO, the company emphasised its strong financial position, citing a debt-free balance sheet, a cash surplus of INR 905 crore, and ambitious luxury project launches in Mumbai's western suburbs.Read more

A new report by Cushman & Wakefield, "Navi Mumbai - The Next Growth Corridor," highlights Navi Mumbai's rise as a prime office hub within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The city currently holds 23.8 million sq ft of Grade A office stock-20% of MMR's total-with an occupancy rate of 87%. Offering average rentals of INR 70 per sq ft, nearly 57% lower than prime MMR markets, Navi Mumbai is attracting Global Capability Centers and enterprises with its talent pool and infrastructure. With the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and major road projects boosting connectivity, another 4 million sq ft of new office supply is expected by 2027-28.Read more