From Gyms To Co-Working Hubs: The Shift In What Homebuyers Call ‘Luxury’
Last Updated:August 03, 2025, 13:07 IST
India’s real estate is evolving with a focus on luxury amenities. Modern buyers want wellness spas, smart homes, and personalized designs.
Amenities are no longer considered as ‘add-ons’ to the project, but are now viewed as the value drivers that decide the traction that a development would get from the buyers.
Authored by Payas Agarwal, Director, Great Value Realty: India’s real estate landscape has been under a constant shift as it has been transforming over the years. The sector is no longer limited to the carpet area measurements or strategic locations. Today, it is dominated by the luxurious amenities and standard of life that it offers to the buyers and investors. There are certain factors catalyzing the fact, including wellness-focused community spaces, tech-integrated homes, and much more, that not only showcase the evolution of amenities but also keep up the pace with global trends, setting higher benchmarks of ‘luxury’ for the homebuyers.
While earlier the availability of swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play area and clubhouses were enough to consider a real estate project to be luxury, the outlook has completely changed today. These features have become the basic offerings that can now be accessed at any residential development. The new-age luxury buyers expect far more than just convenience as they look for an elevated lifestyle experience. Wellness spas, temperature-controlled pools, meditation zones, electric vehicle charging stations, co-working hubs, pet parks, and similar ideas have become the cornerstone of luxury homes today. This reflects the aspirations of a more informed and experience-driven generation.
The buyers’ shift towards the experience-centric amenities is also associated with the interior design as luxury is now denoted by the thoughtful spatial design that promotes functionality without compromising the aesthetics. People prefer buying smart layouts that accommodate flexible spaces like home offices, hobby corners, wellness nooks and more. High ceilings, natural light optimization, sustainable materials and smart-home automation effectively contribute into the making of a luxury space. It is also integrated with amenity planning to reflect and reinforce the elevated living offering.
We’re living in an era where individuality has become a necessity for everyone and people wish to see a reflection of their personal style and preferences in the home that they invest in. These customizations and personal touches increase buyers’ satisfaction as they get both the value for their money as well as an emotional connection with the space. This may range from modular kitchens, smart lightings that adapt to moods, custom floorings or other options that speak a story of their own. This evolving trend has a major impact on buying patters and hence it’s vital to allow buyers to have the option of tailoring certain elements of their home to suit their preferences, without compromising on the overall design coherence or quality of the project. This doesn’t only add a unique touch to the home but also fosters a deeper emotional connection with it.
Amenities are no longer considered as ‘add-ons’ to the project, but are now viewed as the value drivers that decide the traction that a development would get from the buyers. A project equipped with cutting-edge, lifestyle-enhancing features can command a significant premium in the market. Not to miss, these amenities also increase the long-term desirability of the property, ensuring better rental yield and resale value. If we look at the buyers’ perspective, amenities become the deciding factor when comparing properties in similar price brackets. The idea of home has expanded to include work, wellness, recreation and community, all under one roof, especially after the pandemic. Hence, projects that cater to these multifaceted needs are far more likely to win the buyers’ trust and investment.
However, this challenge is both a challenge and an opportunity for the developers. The challenge is designing spaces that strike a balance between luxury and functionality, aspiration and affordability. Whereas the opportunity is to redefine what modern living means and to create homes that are truly future-ready. And as the expectations of Indian buyers evolve, the approach to designing and delivering living spaces must evolve too. Amenities do not tick the boxes any more as they are about enhancing the quality of life, fostering community and delivering long-term value. As developers, it is important to remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the luxury real estate, creating homes that are not only built to impress but also built to inspire. Because today, luxury is not about what we have but how we live.
It is authored by Payas Agarwal, Director, Great Value Realty.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
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