Taylor Scott International News
The Chennai residential market is one of the steadiest in India and has proved its resilience just after the global economic downturn which was one of the toughest periods for the country’s property market. Between 2008 and 2009 it remained relatively stable in terms of sales volume and price, compared to cities like Mumbai, NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, according to a new analysis from international real estate firm Knight Frank. It explains that new infrastructure projects begun during the second half of 2014 including the building of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Chennai Metro Rail, will lead to the emergence of new residential property growth corridors like Kuthambakkam, Chembarambakkam and Poonamallee along the ORR, and Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Alandur along the metro rail link. However, residential development is nonexistent in North Chennai, primarily due to the unavailability of vacant land, narrow arterial roads and lack of employment opportunities. This has compelled developers to look for opportunities in the South and West Chennai markets. According to Hitendra Gupta, a research consultant from Knight Frank India, the emergence of West Chennai as one of the more successful residential micro markets is as a result of affordable pricing, its proximity to the city centre, the presence of employment hubs and a relatively better developed social infrastructure. South Chennai, comprising OMR and GST Road, has been highlighted as the current growth corridor of the city. Its proximity to Chennai International Airport, the presence of arterial roads and the availability of huge vacant land parcels have enabled it to grow rapidly into an emerging residential hub. Gupta points out that the IT and ITeS sectors, the dominant employer in this region, has a positive outlook for business in 2015. This along with a change in economic sentiment, as well as the stable government at the centre, bodes well for new launches and absorption is set to increase by 31% and 14% in West and South Chennai respectively in the second half of 2014. The weighted average price in the Chennai market is forecasted to increase by 3% for 2014 against a 5% increase witnessed in the first half of 2014, the report concludes. Taylor Scott International
Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott
