Sobha Developers plans to launch high-end apartment project in Bangalore

Even as the demand slump is forcing leading property developers across the country to prefer affordable housing in place of high value apartments, Bangalore-based Sobha Developers is firming up plans to launch a high-end apartment project in the city. The project, which would carry a price tag of about Rs 6,000 per sq ft, will be the first luxury apartment project from Sobha after crisis hit the Indian real estate sector.

According to sources, the J P Nagar project, to come up on 36 acres of land in J P Nagar in the south of the city, will be announced during the present year.

The company also plans to enter the affordable housing segment by announcing apartments in the Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh range in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Sobha’s move is in line with the industry trend to announce new launches in select areas and chosen price bands in the residential real estate segment. Availability of bank loans makes residential projects a safe bet for cash-strapped real estate developers.

Unlike other players who have lined up dozens of such project launches during the year, Sobha has decided to test the waters with just two launches in 2009-10.

“We are not in a hurry to announce future projects as our priority is to sell the ones nearing completion. Of about 2,000 flats / villas that are under various stages of construction across the country, Sobha has been able to sell about 50 per cent until now. The company expects to see the balance being sold off by the time the projects get completed within the next two and a half years,” a senior Sobha official said. He added that their projects in the neighbouring states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are in greater demand than the ones in Bangalore.

Sobha’s plans for new investments come amidst its struggle to manage its Rs 2,000 crore debts. Company officials said the debt repayment plans are going ahead and the company will have no problems in funding the new projects.

“Of the total debts, about one-fourth has to be repaid this year. We are exploring various options, including issue of preferential shares and sale of land to generate the required amount,” company official said.

The company is also expecting a 25 per cent increase in its revenues from contract works for corporates like Infosys.