Chasing convenience and quality of life, urban settlers are increasingly seeking homes in communities that offer more than just housing. Today’s homebuyers are looking for townships- modern-day urban villages, that integrate schools, hospitals, retail zones, green spaces, and recreation hubs within walking distance.
This rising demand for “walk-to-everything” lifestyles is reshaping how real estate developers design and market their projects.
Real estate majors like Brigade Group, Century Real Estate, and Mahindra Lifespaces are leading the shift, creating large-scale integrated townships that prioritise access, safety, and a strong sense of community. These urban enclaves often command a 10–20 per cent premium over standalone projects and see faster sales, according to Brigade Enterprises Managing Director Pavitra Shankar.
Brigade began its foray into integrated living with the 5-acre Brigade Komarla Residency in 2001. Since then, it has developed several landmark projects including Brigade Gateway (40 acres), Brigade Orchards in Devanahalli (135 acres), Brigade Cornerstone Utopia in Varthur (47 acres), and Brigade El Dorado in Aerospace Park (50 acres).
The group has also extended its township model to Chennai and Hyderabad with Brigade Xanadu (33 acres) and Brigade Gateway Hyderabad (9.7 acres). Brigade has partnered with St. John’s Medical College Hospital and Ramaiah Memorial Hospital.
Mahindra has two integrated township projects- Mahindra World Cities (MWC) in Chennai and Jaipur. These townships are designed to reduce reliance on external infrastructure, offering residents and businesses in-house access to schools, hospitals, commercial zones, clubs, hotels, and even a railway station.“
At MWC Chennai, facilities like the Mahindra World School (CBSE-affiliated), Jeevan Hospital (35-bed multispecialty), and a retail centre are open to the public, serving both township dwellers and nearby communities,” said Vikram Goel, Chief Business Officer (Industrial), Mahindra Lifespace Developers. The township also houses Paranur railway station- developed via PPP with Indian Railways, serving 85 EMUs daily.
Price of convenience
Brigade properties prices in integrated townships start at around ₹1.45 crore and can go up to ₹21 crore, depending on location and amenities.
CBRE Chairman Anshuman Magazine told businessline, “Integrated townships are increasingly preferred over standalone residential projects, reflecting a shift towards holistic living. While standalone projects offer lower upfront costs, townships offer future-ready, amenity-rich lifestyles that support higher capital appreciation and rental yields.”
Pan-India Demand, tier-2 emergence
The demand for integrated townships is particularly strong in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, where infrastructure and quality of life attract urban families and NRIs. Brigade’s recent land acquisitions in Hyderabad’s Neopolis and Chennai’s Mount Road are set to house large-scale mixed-use townships. Tier-2 cities like Mysuru and Coimbatore are also emerging as future growth hubs, says Shankar.
“These cities offer favourable conditions- land availability, rising aspirations, and infrastructure upgrades,” added Shankar, adding that Brigade is planning expansions in Mysuru, Coimbatore, and GIFT City, Gujarat. Mahindra’s Goel concurs, noting that future township developments will be guided by land availability, regulatory readiness, and long-term demand potential.
“Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities remain the primary focus, given their connectivity and infrastructure appeal for residential and industrial growth,” he said.
As cities grow denser and mobility becomes more complex, integrated townships present a future-ready blueprint, one where work, life, and community co-exist seamlessly.
Published on August 3, 2025
