Schloss Bangalore Ltd, which owns and operates Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, is set to launch what could become the largest IPO in India's hospitality sector. The IPO price band has been fixed between INR 413 and INR 435 per share, targeting total proceeds of INR 3,500 crore. The issue comprises a fresh equity issue of INR 2,500 crore and an offer for sale worth INR 1,000 crore by promoter Project Ballet Bangalore Holdings (DIFC) Pvt Ltd. Backed by Brookfield Asset Management, the company plans to utilise the funds to reduce debt and support corporate purposes. It operates a luxury portfolio of 12 hotels under the Leela brand and has shown robust financial growth recently.Read more

San Francisco-based business software company Rippling has opened its second office in Bengaluru, expanding its operations within Embassy Tech Village. The new facility, covering over 100,000 square feet, will accommodate teams across engineering, product, sales, and customer support. The company, valued at USD 16.8 billion, has also announced plans to double its workforce in India from 1,000 to 2,000 employees within the next three years. Founded in 2016, Rippling operates offices in key global cities, including San Francisco, New York, Austin, London, Dublin, Sydney, and Bengaluru.Read more

Bengaluru led the way in the first quarter of 2025, when the retail sector in India leased 3.1 million square feet of retail space. The city accounted for 34% of the total leasing activity, followed by Delhi NCR and Mumbai at 14% each. Fashion and apparel were the dominant sectors, comprising 31% of the leasing activity. This quarter also saw five new shopping malls open across key cities, adding 2 million sq ft to the market, surpassing the new retail supply from 2024. These developments signal continued growth in the retail real estate market.Read more

The Karnataka government has allocated INR 7,000 crore to Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), a special purpose vehicle aimed at executing large-scale infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. The funding is designed to draw private investments, enhance project execution, and streamline land acquisition. With a dual-agency model involving the BBMP and BDA, B-SMILE is set to accelerate the city's infrastructure development. The initiative aims to offer greater financial autonomy and operational efficiency, with hopes to set a precedent for other urban SPVs in India.Read more

The Karnataka government has introduced the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBGA), 2024, to restructure Bengaluru's civic administration. Replacing the BBMP Act of 2021, the GBGA enables the creation of multiple municipal corporations and establishes the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), chaired by Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah. Covering the current 709 sq km BBMP area, the GBA will oversee urban planning, infrastructure, and mobility projects. While the existing BBMP will be dissolved, a restructured civic body will continue operations during the transition. The Act also aims to strengthen ward committees to improve accountability and efficiency, with reorganization to begin after formal notification.Read more

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) reached a major milestone in April 2025 when it collected INR 1,417 crore in property taxes, which accounted for almost 25% of its ambitious annual target of INR 5,716 crore. This marks a substantial increase from the previous year's collection of INR 670 crore in the same month. The BBMP attributes this surge to the integration of solid waste management charges with property tax payments and the extension of a 5% rebate on early payments until May 31, 2025. Despite the positive trend, approximately 3.75 lakh property owners still owe INR 836 crore in unpaid taxes, prompting the BBMP to plan stringent recovery measures post-May 31.Read more

According to a report by JLL India, sales of residential real estate in Bengaluru fell 10% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, totaling 15,340 units. Despite this dip, the city saw a significant 62% surge in new launches, reaching 20,484 units. The luxury housing segment, particularly apartments priced between INR 3-5 crore, witnessed a remarkable 119% growth in sales. Whitefield emerged as a key area, contributing 35% to the quarter's overall sales. The average property prices in Bengaluru rose by approximately 13% compared to the previous year.Read more

BBMP has implemented stringent regulations centered on safety, hygienic practices, and legal compliance in an attempt to control the rapidly growing PG lodging industry. The civic body has identified numerous unauthorized PGs and has already sealed several non-compliant establishments. Key mandates include minimum space per occupant, adequate water supply, CCTV surveillance, fire safety measures, and proper licensing. These actions aim to safeguard residents and restore order in residential areas affected by unregulated PG operations.Read more

Property owners in Bengaluru have called on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to extend the 5% property tax rebate deadline beyond April 30, citing technical issues with the BBMP portal. With the portal being inactive until April 5, property owners had limited time to make their payments. Additional confusion surrounding the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee has further frustrated residents. Many are demanding a return to the previous waste management system and an extension of the rebate deadline to ease the situation.Read more

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has extended the 5% property tax rebate deadline for FY 2025-26 to May 31, 2025, offering relief to property owners facing technical issues and confusion over the new Solid Waste Management (SWM) fee. The rebate was originally available only until April 30, but the BBMP portal's delayed functionality and public requests prompted the extension. Approved by the Urban Development Department under Section 144(8) of the BBMP Act, 2020, the move allows taxpayers paying in full by the new deadline to still claim the rebate. The decision aims to ease taxpayer concerns and improve municipal responsiveness.Read more

Beghou Consulting has expanded its India footprint by inaugurating a new office in Bengaluru, aiming to capitalise on the city's stronghold in healthcare analytics and data science. Positioned in Whitefield's Brigade Metropolis, the new setup complements existing offices in Pune and Hyderabad. This move aligns with Beghou's global strategy to accelerate innovation in life sciences commercialisation by accessing India's specialised talent pool. The firm is targeting a 40% team expansion by the end of the year and plans to deepen collaboration across its Indian and US teams to bolster AI and data science-driven capabilities.Read more

Bengaluru's luxury real estate market has hit a new milestone, with annual sales of homes priced above INR 10 crore surpassing INR 1,000 crore for the first time, according to a joint report by India Sotheby's International Realty and CRE Matrix. Notably, 42% of these high-end sales occurred in FY25 alone, signaling strong momentum driven by a booming tech economy, rising affluence, and growing demand for exclusive living. Hebbal led with 22% of total sales, while areas like Domlur and Bommanahalli are emerging as new luxury hubs. Buyers are favoring large apartments (5,000-7,000 sq ft), reflecting a shift toward lifestyle- and quality-focused investments.Read more

Earlier this week, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) enforced a new rule requiring Occupancy Certificates (OC) and Commencement Certificates (CC) for new electricity connections in Bengaluru. This abrupt policy shift, following a directive from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) citing a Supreme Court order, has left many homeowners-especially those on revenue sites without power. Residents and electrical contractors have voiced concerns over the lack of prior notice and the challenges in obtaining the necessary documentation. Historically, similar mandates have been introduced and later revoked, adding to the confusion and frustration among the city's residents.Read more

In a move aimed at standardizing property taxation, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) introduced a revised parking tax structure for residential properties. The new system calculates tax based on a uniform rate per square foot, replacing the previous zonal classification method. While this change is intended to simplify the taxation process, it has elicited mixed reactions. Homeowners in premium zones may experience increased tax liabilities, whereas those in lower zones could see reductions. The BBMP has acknowledged public feedback and indicated that further revisions may be considered.Read more

CREDAI Bengaluru has appointed Zayd Noaman as its new president, succeeding Amar Mysore. Noaman, Executive Director at Prestige Group, brings a wealth of experience in corporate finance and strategy. The new office bearers, including President-Elect Bimal Hegde, Vice President Karan R Shetty, and others, will serve a two-year term. The leadership team is focused on promoting sustainability in construction, strengthening partnerships, and improving efficiency in Bengaluru's real estate sector, which saw over 17% of India's residential sales last year.Read more

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is making significant progress on the Dr. Shivaram Karanth Layout in North Bengaluru, with over 30,000 plots under development. Approximately 16,000 to 17,000 plots are allocated to farmers who contributed land, while 7,000 to 8,000 plots are designated for public allotment. The BDA has set the price at INR 4,900 per square foot, making a 30x40 site cost around INR 58.8 lakh. Despite 80% of the work being completed, including road construction and utility installations, the allotment process awaits clearance from the High Court due to pending legal issues related to land acquisition. Contractors have been given a three-month deadline to complete the remaining infrastructure work.Read more

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has managed to collect 95% of its property tax target for FY25, gathering INR 4,930 crore against the projected INR 5,210 crore. This success was largely attributed to measures like IT-driven follow-ups, a one-time settlement scheme, and robust arrears recovery protocols. While Yelahanka and Mahadevapura zones surpassed their targets, zones like Bommanahalli and RR Nagar fell behind. With an ambitious target of over INR 6,000 crore set for FY26, BBMP plans to improve compliance without raising tax rates, which have remained unchanged since 2016.Read more

Arnya RealEstates Fund Advisors has invested INR 130 crore in a new residential project by Casagrand in South Bengaluru, marking its second deal since launching its INR 1,000 crore real estate fund in April 2024. The fund, a SEBI-registered Category II AIF, focuses on early-stage debt investments in top-tier cities. Arnya's latest backing supports initial construction for Casagrand's mid-to-premium housing development. With rising investor interest and consistent housing demand in metros, funds like Arnya are playing a crucial role in bridging early-stage financing gaps. The fund's strategy includes a mix of debt, rental income, and equity investments, with backing from HNIs and family offices.Read more

The Karnataka High Court has upheld the acquisition of 750 acres by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the expansion of the Banashankari 6th Stage layout in Bengaluru South Taluk. From this land, the BDA developed 5,991 residential sites, of which 4,983 have been allotted to various applicants. Petitioners challenged the revised acquisition area reduced from an initial 1,532 acres as arbitrary and discriminatory. However, the court ruled that the process was transparent and in the public interest, dismissing the writ appeals and confirming that the acquisition adhered to statutory guidelines.Read more

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has given engineers a three-month deadline to complete pending infrastructure in the Shivaram Karanth Layout in North Bengaluru. Spread across 3,540 acres, the layout is expected to offer over 30,000 plots, but only 10,000-17,000 are currently ready. Key works like roads, water pipelines, and drainage remain incomplete in nearly 40% of the layout. Legal issues and unresolved land acquisition disputes have delayed public site allotment, with a court case still pending. A committee is assessing land values for fair compensation. While public interest remains high, allotments will proceed only after legal and administrative clearances are finalized.Read more