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

Bengaluru's civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), will soon require e-Khata details for every online building-plan application, including those on its Nambike Naksha platform. Launching in early July, the new system links BBMP's E-Aasthi property database with the online building plan approval portal. Applicants must enter their electronic Property ID, allowing instant verification of ownership and tax payments and ending the need for paper documents. More than five lakh e-Khata records are already digitised, and the backend can process about 3,000 applications daily, many within two to three days. Automatic "deemed approvals" will penalise officials who delay decisions, boosting transparency and speed for developers and homeowners.Read more

Cornerstone has secured a INR 1,700 crore term sheet from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers via structured non-convertible debentures to fund Bengaluru-based projects. The capital will support six residential projects in East Bengaluru, two commercial ventures centrally, and land consolidation in the north. This funding move helps Cornerstone manage its ongoing dispute with L&T Finance, which had disbursed INR 835 crore of a INR 1,285 crore sanction, yet recovered around INR 1,400 crore. A recent ARCIL notice triggered legal action, with the Karnataka High Court granting interim relief. With court protection and negotiations underway, Cornerstone is progressing on title clearances and project execution.Read more

Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporation and MODEC Inc have jointly inaugurated their Global Capability Centre-TOYO MODEC OFS India Pvt Ltd-in Bengaluru. Located in Godrej Centre, Indira Nagar, the 1,00,000 sq ft facility will support international Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) projects. Aimed at boosting innovation and delivery efficiency, the centre currently employs 200 professionals and plans to expand to 750 within three years. This move highlights India's role as a key engineering talent hub. Inaugurated by Japan's Consul General, the centre reflects deepening Indo-Japanese collaboration in energy and infrastructure, while creating high-value engineering and procurement jobs.Read more

India's residential property market has seen a sharp 48% rise over five years, according to the 1 Finance Housing Total Return Index, which measures pricing, rentals, and demographics. Bengaluru topped growth charts with a 79% increase, reaffirming its strong residential appeal. Mumbai remains India's most expensive market, with average rates nearing INR 26,975 per sq. ft. Delhi-NCR saw a 30% drop in unsold inventory, signalling healthy demand, while Hyderabad's stock ballooned by 177%, pointing to oversupply. Chennai reported a 51% rise in new launches but only 10% growth in sales, hinting at pressure on absorption. Kolkata saw both launches and sales decline by 29%. Across top metros, new launches rose 10% and sales jumped 33%, outpacing supply despite a 32% uptick in unsold inventory. The data highlights strong buyer sentiment and varying regional dynamics shaping India's maturing real estate market.Read more

Amazon Development Centre India, along with its Seller Services unit, has leased over 1 million sq ft of office space in a tower near Kattigenahalli on Airport Road, North Bengaluru, for a monthly rent of INR 6.1 crore. The 10-year lease, signed via Sattva Horizon, began in October and includes a 15% rent escalation every three years, with no upfront deposit. The 11-floor building, located less than 30 minutes from the airport, can accommodate 6,000-7,000 employees, with Amazon paying INR 62.04 per sq ft for a carpet area of 714,000 sq ft. This large-scale commitment strengthens the commercial appeal of the Airport Road corridor, where residential rents for 2BHK units range from INR 20,000-25,000 and sale prices start at INR 80 lakh.Read more

Property owners in Bengaluru can now obtain e-Khata certificates digitally within two working days, thanks to a new initiative by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The fully online process, rolled out across all eight BBMP zones, allows applications via the state's SAKALA portal. Applicants need only submit three documents: sale deed, latest tax-paid receipt, and property sketch. Revenue officers are required to process requests or raise queries within two days, improving accountability. The e-Khata is essential for property validation, tax payments, loans, and transactions. Previously, the process involved lengthy in-person visits and delays. The move particularly benefits owners of properties regularised under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme. By digitising the system, BBMP aims to enhance transparency and ease for property owners, buyers, and developers, fostering greater confidence in municipal services.Read more

Karnataka's deputy chief minister Shri D K Shivakumar has announced that approximately 100 buildings obstructing stormwater drains in Bengaluru will be demolished to prevent urban flooding. Invoking the Disaster Management Act, the government aims to ensure the free flow of rainwater. The BBMP chief commissioner has been granted full authority to carry out these demolitions, with compensation considered for affected property owners. This initiative follows inspections of flood-prone areas like Yelahanka and Manyata tech park, where significant waterlogging has been observed.Read more

The Karnataka High Court recently intervened to halt the Bangalore Development Authority's (BDA) decision to disconnect electricity and revoke occupancy certificates for Kendriya Vihar Apartments in Yelahanka. This action followed directives from the Fire and Emergency Services Department, which cited lapses in renewing mandatory fire safety clearances. Residents contended that they were not granted a fair hearing before these punitive measures were initiated. The court's stay offers temporary relief as the legal proceedings continue.Read more

Bengaluru's civic body has recorded a milestone INR 2,424.93 crore in property tax collections in the first two months of the fiscal year, driven by the newly introduced waste management user fee (expected to add INR 700 crore) and a 5% early payment rebate. By April-end, collections had reached INR 1,200 crore, with May surpassing that figure. Mahadevapura led zone-wise collections at INR 598.51 crore, followed by East Zone (INR 455.06 crore) and South Zone (INR 391.96 crore). The city aims to achieve a total INR 5,100 crore this year, including INR 836.34 crore in arrears from 375,000 defaulters and INR 152.80 crore in revised tax on 9,904 properties. This strong start highlights Bengaluru's improved revenue mobilisation, supporting the city's evolving infrastructure and service delivery needs.Read more

Enzyme Office Spaces has leased 90,000 sq. ft. to accounting software firm Vyapar at its new Sarjapur Road centre in Bengaluru. The 1.2 lakh sq. ft. facility, with 3,000-seat capacity, is now nearly fully occupied, with only 30,000 sq. ft. remaining. The space was customised to Vyapar's operational needs, reflecting rising demand for flexible, tailored office environments among digital-first companies. Founder and CEO Ashish Agarwal noted strong interest from tech-driven businesses. Earlier this year, SUGAR Cosmetics leased 14,000 sq. ft. at Enzyme's Andheri East centre in Mumbai. Enzyme currently operates 32 centres across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR, totalling 1.55 million sq. ft. and 38,000 seats. Workspace pricing ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 25,000 per desk. As hybrid work models evolve, Enzyme's flexibility and customisation remain key draws for modern enterprises.Read more

A consortium led by Schloss Bangalore (The Leela) has secured an 80-year lease for a prime commercial plot in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The consortium, which includes Arliga Ecospace Business Park Pvt Ltd and Schloss Chanakya Pvt Ltd, plans to develop a mixed-use project, featuring a 250-key luxury hotel. The plot, spanning 8,411.88 sq m with a permissible built-up area of 33,647.52 sq m, comes with a total lease premium of INR 1,302.15 crore. The highest bid was submitted earlier this year following MMRDA's evaluation process.Read more

Apple India has leased an 8,000 sq. ft. retail space at the upcoming Phoenix Mall of Asia in North Bengaluru, with an annual rental of INR 2.09 crore over a 10-year term. The deal includes a 15% rent escalation every three years and a revenue-sharing clause starting at 2%, rising to 3%. The Hebbal-based mall, developed by Phoenix Mills Ltd and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, offers Apple a prime retail platform in Bengaluru, complementing its recent store launches in Mumbai and Delhi. The move aligns with Apple's strategy to deepen its direct presence in India, as Foxconn nears completion of a major iPhone manufacturing facility at Devanahalli, set to produce 20 million units annually. Together, these developments highlight Apple's integrated retail-manufacturing approach in India, supporting the government's PLI-driven electronics manufacturing ecosystem and tapping into the country's fast-growing smartphone market.Read more

The Bengaluru-based managed workspace provider Simpliwork Offices has leased roughly 1.32 lakh square feet across two commercial buildings in the city: Sumadhura Capitol Towers and Pardhanani Wilshire III. The move comes as the demand for flexible, high-performance workspaces continues to surge among enterprises. Currently managing about 4.5 million sq ft, the company aims to nearly double its portfolio to 9-9.5 million sq ft over the coming two years. Founded in 2018, Simpliwork operates over 85 centres across major Indian cities including Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad.Read more

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is advancing its efforts to extend the Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth Layout by acquiring an additional 3,000 acres across 18 villages in Yelahanka and Bengaluru North taluks. This move aims to satisfy the rising demand for residential plots in northern Bengaluru. While the current phase with around 30,000 plots is approaching completion, the BDA has set a three-month deadline to finalise outstanding infrastructure work. The expansion strategically aligns with the proposed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR), which will significantly enhance connectivity and accessibility. Nonetheless, land acquisition challenges and compensation disputes remain critical issues that the BDA must address.Read more

In a significant move to curb property tax evasion, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to issue notices to over 400,000 property owners suspected of underreporting property details. Utilizing data from drone surveys, satellite imagery, and the Digitally Owned Number (DON) Survey, BBMP aims to rectify discrepancies in self-declared property information. With a target to collect INR 6,000 crore in property tax for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the civic body anticipates recovering an additional INR 1,000 crore through this initiative.Read more

Google IT Services India Pvt Ltd has renewed its lease for 870,000 sq ft of office space at Bagmane Capital Business Park in Bengaluru, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India's digital economy. The five-year lease covers two towers Kyoto East and West along the Outer Ring Road, with monthly rent set at INR 7.5 crore and a 15% escalation after the first and third years. Google also deposited over INR 38 crore as security. One of 2025 largest commercial leasing deals, the renewal signals Bengaluru's continued importance as a tech hub. It follows Google's broader real estate expansion across India, including major leases in Gurugram and Whitefield.Read more

Century Real Estate, one of South India's major property developers, raised INR 1,850 crore in debt funding to strengthen its presence in Bengaluru's thriving residential and commercial property sectors. The funding round, led by Ares Asia and SC Lowy, will support both ongoing and upcoming developments. Ares Asia committed INR 1,600 crore in two instalments, while SC Lowy contributed INR 250 crore. This capital boost aligns with Century's broader strategy to capture rising market demand, particularly in the Grade A commercial and residential segments.Read more

Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, announced that the central government will assess the updated Namma Metro Phase-2 cost proposal after the Karnataka state cabinet gives its approval. This is a major step forward for Bengaluru's urban infrastructure. Additionally, the Centre is reviewing the Phase-3A proposal, a 37 km extension estimated at INR 28,400 crore. This move aligns with the broader objective of enhancing urban mobility and addressing the city's escalating traffic challenges. The minister also emphasized the importance of legacy waste management and advocated for higher Floor Area Ratios (FAR) along mass transit corridors to optimize urban development.Read more

Schloss Bangalore Ltd, the Brookfield-backed operator of luxury brand The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, has announced an investment of INR 1,131 crore to develop five company-owned hospitality properties across Agra, Srinagar, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, and Ayodhya. These developments, totalling 475 rooms, are slated to commence operations by 2028. The announcement came just before the company's INR 3,500 crore IPO opened earlier this week, aiming to raise INR 2,500 crore for debt repayment. Brookfield, which acquired The Leela brand in 2019, is set to dilute its holding by 24%, marking one of the largest public issues in India's hospitality sector.Read more