IVORY TOWERS

The towers are built on the former slum land,after builders provided rehabilitation to almost 2,700 hutments. As we get ready to climb the heights of luxury,we notice the lower levels are still under construction. We are informed that a grand three level lobby is still underway and so are the nine levels of podium parking capable of accommodating nearly 1,000 cars. “The Imperial has set a benchmark in Indian construction technology,” says Suleman Budhwani,Vice-President,Business Development.

The elevators,we are told,are currently the fastest in India. “There are eight high-speed passenger elevators per tower from Schindler capable of travelling at a nimble 6 meters per second,” says Budhwani. We believe it when we reach the 49th floor in 30 almost seconds.

The Imperial offers sea-views all around by virtue of its height,dwarfing its surrounding. The train resembles a toy,the other buildings look like Lego blocks. Surprisingly,with the cool sea breeze blowing across your face,the summer heat vanishes too. “Mumbai is a very congested city. To accommodate this congestion and to have more open spaces,we have to rise up vertically. Soon there will be taller buildings in Mumbai which will be equivalent to other skyscrapers in cities around the world,” says Budhwani.

But it is lonely at the top. We find just two apartments facing each other on the 49th-50th floor. Each of the 10,000 square feet redefines luxury living in India,with the apartment costing Rs 85-87 crore. “Buying a home in the Imperial is akin to owning an apartment in a luxury hotel,” says Budhwani,as we enter one designed by Craig Neally. With a lavish seating area,five bedrooms,a massive balcony and a tastefully appointed kitchen,with remote-controlled switches and curtains,the place certainly resembles a mansion. The cherry on top is a 2,000 square feet private pool area. “Apartments on higher floors are a status symbol as they are more expensive than those on the lower floors,” states Budhwani.

The lower level apartment is around 4,400 square feet. It is cheaper at around Rs 40 crore. Not many changes—only the number of bedrooms decrease and obviously,there’s no pool.

The rich and famous,who range from high-level corporates to industrialists,may not worry about trivial issues,but our middle-class background does not allow us to keep quiet about certain things,especially the city’s water shortage and difficulty of getting permission for water supply. “When the BMC issues an Occupation Certificate,they have to ensure that they supply the regular amount of water to any project. We have just received the Occupation Certificate,” says Budhwani.