Innov8, the co-working arm of OYO, has secured a fresh INR 1,000 crore valuation following a 3% equity stake sale to prominent investors, including the Raymond Family Office, which picked up nearly 2%. This follows a prior INR 110 crore fundraise earlier this year, where approximately 10% equity was sold to several high-profile family offices. Innov8, founded in 2015 by Ritesh Malik, currently operates 30 centres across 10 major cities and posted a sharp jump in profit after tax from INR 2.5 crore to INR 62 crore in FY24. The new capital will be used to expand operations to 100 centres by year-end.Read more
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises and India's largest private airport operator, has secured USD 1 billion in project financing for Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL). The deal includes a USD 750 million bond issuance maturing in July 2029 for refinancing, with an option to raise an additional USD 250 million. The funds will support MIAL's capital expenditure programme for modernisation and expansion. Notably, this marks India's first investment-grade bond issuance in the airport sector, with participation from global institutional investors including Apollo-managed funds, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered.Read more
The modern office has undergone a significant transformation, evolving into a smart, tech-integrated space tailored for today's dynamic workforce. As hybrid and remote work models continue to flourish, smart co-working environments are becoming indispensable. These flexible spaces are no longer confined to freelancers or startups but have become hubs for global enterprises, thanks to AI, IoT, and cloud-based systems. From intelligent booking platforms to facial recognition access, these workplaces are designed to boost efficiency, foster collaboration, and ensure data security, all while enhancing the employee experience.Read more
Saya Group has partnered with Carnation Hotels, a Lemon Tree Hotels subsidiary, to manage 336 BIZTOP Business Class Suites at the Saya SouthX project in Greater Noida West. Spanning floors 7 to 25, each 668 sq. ft. suite is designed for business travellers seeking high-quality serviced accommodation. Lemon Tree will bring hotel-grade operations to the mixed-use development, which includes retail, dining, a multiplex, banquet space, and more. Saya SouthX covers 6.8 lakh sq. ft. and targets over 50,000 daily footfalls. The collaboration blends Saya's infrastructure with Lemon Tree's hospitality expertise, reinforcing Saya's footprint in premium commercial real estate.Read more
Kalpataru Ltd has raised INR 708 crore from prominent anchor investors, including GIC and Bain Capital, just before launching its initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, entirely a fresh equity issue worth INR 1,590 crore, is priced between INR 387 and INR 414 per share, with over 1.71 crore shares already allocated at the upper end. The Mumbai-based developer, with a portfolio nearing 50 million sq ft, plans to use the funds to repay debt and support corporate initiatives. The company had reported robust sales of over INR 3,200 crore in FY 2023-24, driven by strong housing and commercial demand.Read more
TRULiV, a fast-growing co-living and long-stay hospitality brand, has received equity funding from Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (BCCL), valuing the company at INR 356.5 crore. The investment will support TRULiV's expansion into new cities and hospitality formats like holiday homes, retirement communities, and eco-stays. Founded in 2019, TRULiV operates on an asset-light, built-to-suit model and aims to hit INR 200 crore in annual revenue within three years. Co-founders Rohit Reddy and Ranjeeth Rathod highlighted BCCL's strategic media support and consumer insights as vital to future growth.Read more
India's real estate sector is demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism, outshining peers in the Asia-Pacific region even as markets in Greater China and Australia face subdued leasing activity. The latest Asia-Pacific Market Sentiment Survey by CBRE highlighted that India's major cities continue to witness robust office leasing driven by tech, BFSI, and GCC demand. The Market Sentiment Index for the office sector surpassed 70%, reflecting the highest confidence levels recorded to date. Retail leasing has remained steady despite a minor dip, with retailers pursuing growth in high-footfall zones, reinforcing India's appeal as a stable investment hub.Read more
Hong Kong-based New World Development (NWD) has entered an advanced phase of discussions with its creditors to restructure an enormous HKD 87.5 billion (USD 11.1 billion) loan package. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of its debt load among the highest in the region's property sector and follows a recent episode where the company initially flagged a delay in USD 77.2 million in coupon payments on its perpetual bonds. Although the company later paid interest on a senior USD bond, investor nerves remain on edge. Backed by nearly 87% of its targeted lenders, NWD is striving to avert any risk of contagion in Hong Kong's real estate sector.Read more
The third edition of the Bengaluru Retail Summit, organised by the Retailers Association of India, brought together top industry voices to explore the future of retail amid a rapidly evolving market. Held in Bengaluru, the event focused on how innovation and technology are reshaping retail strategies, especially in a city known for tech-forward consumers and deep cultural roots. Key sessions revolved around omnichannel trends, digital integration, consumer behaviour, and retail transformation, with participation from leaders across Amazon India, Reliance Retail, Zivame, SNITCH, Amant' India, and Lifestyle International, among many others.Read more
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to auction properties of 73 major property tax defaulters next month, targeting those who ignored earlier confiscation notices. Each defaulter owes over INR1 lakh, and the crackdown follows warnings sent to 425 such cases. The city faces over INR250 crore in unpaid property taxes from more than 1.5 lakh defaulters. Earlier this fiscal year, NMC ran an amnesty scheme offering up to 90% penalty rebates, which over 60,000 defaulters used, resulting in INR30 crore in waived penalties. Property tax is crucial for city services, and auctions are being used as a last-resort recovery method.Read more
The Asia Pacific hospitality sector is undergoing a transformative shift, with global hotel operators increasingly dominating the landscape. Over 86% of future hotel supply in the region is expected to come through international brands. This rise is fuelled by brand proliferation, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships tailored to local markets. Branded hotels in the region are outperforming independent ones in revenue and performance, backed by global loyalty programmes and stronger distribution systems. Investors are also actively favouring branded properties, leveraging opportunities in rebranding and value-add strategies to maximise returns.Read more
Metro Global Solutions Center Pvt Ltd (MGSC), the Indian technology and solutions unit of international wholesaler Metro, has leased 50,000 sq ft of office space from coworking space provider 315Work Avenue in Pune. This transaction expands 315Work Avenue's footprint in the city to six centres, encompassing 0.6 million sq ft and around 12,000 seats in projects by developers like Ascendas, Panchshil, and Raheja. Nationwide, the company operates across 45 locations in cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune, with a total portfolio of 3 million sq ft and 60,000 seats.Read more
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has mobilised INR 500 crore through the issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) tied to environmental, social and governance (ESG) benchmarks. The NCDs, valued at INR 1 lakh each and carrying an interest rate of 6.35%, will mature in 2028 and bear annual interest. The issuance is part of SEBI�s ESG Debt Securities Framework and is expected to be listed on the NSE. Meanwhile, L&T recorded a 25% increase in consolidated profit after tax for the March quarter, supported by higher operational revenues and an exceptional gain.Read more
Ferguson, a major distributor in North America's USD 340 billion construction market, has inaugurated its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru in collaboration with ANSR. This move forms part of Ferguson�s larger digital transformation drive, aiming to elevate its global operational capacity, speed, and customer experience. The centre will play a vital role in areas such as AI, software engineering, ERP, CRM, and analytics. Over 50 professionals have already joined the facility, which is projected to scale significantly in the coming years while offering leadership roles and tech career prospects.Read more
Volkswagen India has launched two Performance Centres in Chennai- on Mount Road and in Ambattur- as part of its premium retail strategy to showcase the new Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. These centres mark the first in a planned network of 12 across the country. Deliveries of the Golf GTI have begun, with expanded access to the Tiguan R-Line also underway. Designed to offer a luxury experience through multisensory engagement, the centres aim to elevate Volkswagen's brand presence. With this move, the company's Tamil Nadu network now includes 27 sales and 19 service outlets, signalling a strong focus on upscale customer engagement.Read more
Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern has announced plans to enhance the company's flight booking services in India, driven by strong local demand and successful hyperlocal strategies. Citing Ministry of Tourism data, he noted India saw 18.9 million international arrivals in 2023-but only 9.5 million were true foreign tourists, still below pre-pandemic levels. Morgenshtern pointed to complicated visa processes, poor infrastructure, and limited flight options as key barriers to growth. He advocated for more budget-friendly flights and better connectivity. As India's travel sector heats up, Agoda is positioning itself to meet rising expectations from both domestic and international travellers.Read more
Global investment firm Blackstone has made a major foray into eastern India's retail sector by acquiring South City Mall in Kolkata for INR 3,250 crore. The one million sq ft mall, known for its high footfall and annual turnover exceeding INR 1,800 crore, has been described as an iconic destination for shopping and leisure. Real estate consultancy Anarock served as the exclusive transaction advisor in the deal. Blackstone plans to leverage its retail expertise to enhance the mall's long-term performance.Read more
West Bengal has launched a major initiative to improve fire safety in restaurants and commercial establishments, with a focus on rooftop venues. Led by Mayor Firhad Hakim and a dedicated task force, the state is drafting a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that will soon seek formal approval. A key decision is the ban on selling rooftop spaces for general commercial use, a step aimed at reducing fire risks. All commercial and office buildings will now require third-party fire audits, especially those flagged as vulnerable in Kolkata. Additionally, disaster management teams will receive enhanced training for fire-related emergencies, strengthening urban safety preparedness.Read more
After years of uncertainty, the Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) has secured a renewed lease for its Churchgate stadium, valid till 2046. This move marks a revival for Mumbai's hockey scene, which had been struggling amid governance changes. Though the lease was originally signed in 2017, confusion arose when the Maharashtra government briefly cancelled it over unmet development promises. The new agreement restores MHA's control, which had been diminished after Hockey India's one-state-one-association policy sidelined the body. With the lease now confirmed, MHA plans to restart tournaments and add a dedicated practice ground-opening new opportunities for budding hockey players in the city.Read more
Bank of Baroda has placed the highest bid-INR 370 crore-for 83,000 sq. ft. of office space in Godrej BKC, formerly owned by Jet Airways. The auction, held under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, had a reserve price of INR 335.24 crore. While the bank leads the bidding, final ownership depends on Brookfield Asset Management, which already owns two floors in the same building. The Godrej BKC property, a 19-story tower built by Godrej Properties and Jet Airways, includes high-profile tenants like the World Bank and PayPal. The space was recently unsealed by NCLT after earlier closure by the BMC due to unpaid dues.Read more