Young buyers embrace green luxury at Hyderabad property expo; experts call for global standards in design

HYDERABAD: The younger generation is redefining luxury real estate, with a growing demand for green, sustainable, and smartly planned homes, said industry leaders at Times Ultraluxe - The Times Luxury Property Showcase, hosted by TOI.Held over two days, the event brought together ten of Hyderabad's top real estate developers and over 500 CXOs, investors, and design connoisseurs. The city's premier developers showcased their ultra-luxury projects under one roof, ranging from opulent residences to future-forward commercial spaces."In today's market, green is luxury," said Harish CP Yarlagadda, founder of Malaxmi Group and co-founder of Dharma Vana Nature Ark, during a panel discussion titled Owning Luxury: Status or Strategy.

"Young homebuyers are no longer looking at price and location, they're checking IGBC ratings, building materials, sustainability index, air quality in the neighbourhood, eco-friendly features like STPs and rainwater harvesting. Realty firms must align with these evolving preferences," he added.Experts shed light on the post-pandemic shift in how buyers perceive luxury. Pranay Yadav from Srias Lifespaces said, "No one wants to live in confined spaces anymore.

There's a visible tilt toward large balconies, cross-ventilation, open areas, and high-rises. Higher floors offer cleaner air, fewer mosquitoes, and better views." While residential luxury is evolving rapidly, panellists highlighted that commercial spaces must also catch up. Sundari Patibandla, co-founder of iSprout and founder of Irya Vineyard, said future-ready commercial buildings should incorporate automation, renewable energy, and thoughtfully designed community areas.

"Wellness rooms, cafeterias, breakout spots, hangout spaces, and strong security infrastructure, are no longer optional.

They're essential features that elevate the work experience," she said.'India has a long way to go' Shravan Kumar N, CEO of Space Max Consultants Pvt Ltd and the designer behind Hyderabad's key landmarks like T-Hub, pointed out that while the market is expanding, India still has a long way to go in delivering true ultra-luxury.

"We must learn from global luxury benchmarks, be it smart parking systems, AI-powered utilities, or personalised concierge services. The Indian market is ready for it," he added.The event, presented by Aparna Constructions and powered by Cybercity Developers and Candeur Group, also featured walkthroughs that allowed attendees to explore upcoming luxury properties firsthand. It was supported by key partners including Rajapushpa Properties, Vertex Homes, The Trilight, Sri Aditya Homes, Real Plus Homes, Srias Life Spaces, Organo Eco Habitats, Lexus Hyderabad, iSprout, and HETVI Luxury.Speaking at the showcase, N Jaideep Reddy, president of CREDAI Hyderabad, said, "Luxury is, by nature, limited and exclusive. Curated showcases like this are crucial because luxury is not defined by budget or size; it's about smart design, ideal location, ambience, and a lifestyle that blends technology with sustainability."