16 minute read
A Walkthrough Worli, Mumbai’s Premium Destination.
A Walkthrough Worli
Mumbai’s Premium Destination
One of South Mumbai’s most premium zip codes, Worli has the best of everything the maximum city has to offer. It's rich history is juxtaposed with modern living, making it a top choice to own a luxury home.
by Sudershan Sharma
[ Shipra Jain, Co-contributor ]
| The majestic Bandra-
Worli Sealink rises above the water, a coiling snake of steel and a marvel of modern engineering.
| At the very tip of the island lies the Worli Fort. It offers an expansive view of the Mahim
Bay and adds a generous amount of historical flavor to the area.
Walking along the Worli Seaface Promenade, one is greeted by a breathtaking view of the sea. Dark blue waves dissolve into white foam as they break against the rocky shoreline. In the distance, the majestic Bandra-Worli Sealink rises above the water, a coiling snake of steel and a marvel of modern engineering. All across the horizon, the multi-storeyed skyscrapers of Worli stretch as far as the eye can see. The commanding view, the allpervading scent of sea salt in the air, and the sheen of Worli’s business enterprises and real estate offerings bring to mind the question: what might it mean to own a home here?
Worli was one of the seven original islands that were reclaimed, over the course of many years, to make up the urban sprawl that is now Mumbai. Today, an influx of new money and a host of redevelopment projects have ensured that it has come to be known as a prime commercial and residential locale, notable for its towers of glittering metal and glass that offer beautiful views of the Mumbai skyline.
In the already posh South Mumbai, Worli has asserted itself as a premier zipcode owing to the fact that it has everything that one expects from a top locality - proximity to the ocean, vast stretches of open sky and enticing landscapes abound. With its temples as well as malls and art galleries, it carries significant historical and cultural milieu.
While the Nehru Center on Dr Annie Besant Road is well known for its art gallery along with the variety of historical, cultural and educational exhibitions, the Nipponzan Myohonji Temple, a Japanese-Buddhist temple on the same road, is open for all to come and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere it provides amid the hustle and bustle of the city. At the very tip of the island lies the Worli Fort. Built in the 17th century by the British, it offers an expansive view of the Mahim Bay and adds a generous amount of historical flavor to the area. Next to the Fort is Worli Koliwada, a fishing village inhabited by the Kolis, an indigenous fisherfolk community which has been thriving for more than five hundred years.
| Birla Niyaara an upcoming ultra-luxury project in the heart of Worli.
| Next to the Worli Fort is
Koliwada, a fishing village inhabited by the Kolis, an indigenous fisherfolk community which has been thriving for more than five hundred years.
With its winding by-lanes, colourful houses and a flourishing fishing industry that utilises both traditional as well as modern methods, the Koliwada is a powerful embodiment of Mumbai’s dynamic culture, one that acknowledges its roots while marching steadily towards the future.
This history is juxtaposed with an impressive array of modern business centers and corporate parks as well as premium retail stores and luxury hotels. Worli as well as its surrounding areas—Mahalaxmi, Prabhadevi and Lower Parel— are home to a wide variety of luxury real estate. Palatial residences in Worli include properties like the Oberoi 360 West, Raheja Artesia, Provenance Land Four Seasons and Indiabulls Blu. Step into the neighbourhood of Lower Parel and some of the Lodha projects like The Park, The World Towers stand out. Other noteworthy luxury projects in the vicinity include names such as Rustomjee Crown in Prabhadevi and Wadhwa 25 South.
The presence of high-end malls like Atria and Phoenix Palladium ensures that shoppers have access to the choicest of retail options. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link ensures connectivity with the surrounding western suburbs, and the area is well-connected with some of the biggest commercial centers of the city: Nariman Point and Bandra Kurla Complex, known in common parlance as just BKC. The Bandra-Colaba-SEEPZ metro line, currently under construction, will also provide improved connectivity once completed, again adding to the appeal of the area as a prime residential as well as business location.
As an emerging corporate and residential hub, Worli has an undeniable aura to it, one that comes from the fact that it has the best of both worlds—old-world charm as well as contemporary sophistication. Its continuous development will ensure that it will remain a landmark location for years to come.
| Photo:
Dimple Kapadia wears the iconic first collection of Chikankari created in 1994 by Abu
Jani Sandeep Khosla.
A Class Apart Couture by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla
From 1986 to now, this fashion duo continues to create designs that rule the closets of the rich and famous. Creativity, for them, is a compulsion. A journey sans borders or limits
by Samir Saran
Q: The AJSK designs are known for the trends they set in the Indian couture industry. How have you seen India’s fashion industry grow and change over the past decades? A: We began our journey in fashion design in 1986. There was no formal high fashion industry when we set out to create couture. Today, the industry is a behemoth, with well-oiled marketing and PR machinery alongside educational institutions and fashion colleges, creating instant stars and designers. Then it was your work that earned you fame and success. The decades have seen a sea change in opportunities as well as creative expression. The downside is an attendant lack of originality and rampant plagiarism. Social media has made it terribly easy to replicate original designs and pass them off as your own invention. Our aesthetics remain grounded in craftsmanship, with a focus on rich textiles and embroidery. This living legacy of the handcrafted is one that must be championed and protected against machine work, else it will disappear in the future.
Q: What role does fashion play in our lives, and why is it important that we pay attention to the kind of clothes we wear?
A: Fashion is ultimately an act of creativity and an expression of the self. The way we dress expresses who we are. It is an ode to beauty and transcends the physical. It is a statement of being.
| Nora Fatehi is in a Hoor Ajrak saree, embroidered with sequins and a satin frou frou border. A patchwork ajrak jacket finishes her fabulous look. Photographer: Viraj Nayar
| Abu Jani and
Sandeep Khosla with Deepika
Padukone.
| The Verma Residence, New Delhi. The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance | From the book, India
Fantastique Interiors by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.
Photographer: Deidi Von Schaewen. | Deepika Padukone is heavenly in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. She wears an off-white saree featuring a trail and dramatic pleated ruffles. A bustier with pearls and crystals and a spectacular, hand-embroidered, statement pearl collar completes the ethereal look.
Q: With the rise of fast fashion, we are seeing the emergence of a new kind of attitude where trends come up and then die out very rapidly. What are your thoughts on it?
A: We have never believed in transient trends, gimmickry, or fast fashion. We believe in creating new standards of style through our expression. An AJSK is forever. Its beauty is destined to last through the decades. Clothes must be repeated. Craftsmanship and quality have no sell-by or use-before date. It is eternally relevant, or else we have no desire to create it. Fast fashion is wasteful in our book and has zero aesthetic appeal.
Q: It is interesting to see how the colour white has been used in AJSK designs—Deepika Padukone’s saree at Cannes, or say, luxury influencer Sonam Babani’s wedding lehenga or Sonal Kapoor’s maternity outfits. What is the creative process behind taking a muted colour and transforming it into something vibrant and glamorous?
A: If you are familiar with our work and history, you will know our reverence for white in all its shades. We don’t consider whites to be muted. They are radiant in their purity. Their pristine beauty is the perfect canvas for embroideries, be it tonne sur ton, chikankari and resham, or gota and zardozi, sequins and crystals. White is an ethereal colour that whispers louder than any scream.
Q: How has the Indian palette changed over the years? What are some of the visions and demands that clients come to you with these days?
A: We don’t believe in restricting our creative imagination. Our expression, therefore, is also limitless in its diversity. From neutrals like off-white, beige, and skin to soft pastels and jewel colours like sapphire, emerald, rani pink, orange, and red, we will always remain a part of our expression.
| An off-white tulle ghagra comes alive with magnificent floral buds, handembroidered in Resham and sequins. Paired with a nude net blouse with chamois detailing and pearl borders it is the epitome of Romance.
From the Book, India Fantastique Fashion by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.
Photography: Ram Shergill
We made white and neutrals, haute couture and bridal wear decades ago. It is a trend we set in the 90s. It is one adopted by every designer today. Clients come to us to see our vision for them come alive. AJSK’s clients have discerning taste, a passion for originality, and a distinctive design. They are lovers of craftsmanship at its most impeccable.
Q: What colours and designs should be the staple of every closet?
A: A saree is forever. as a sherwani, bandgalla, and kurta pyjama. We love anarkalis and ghagras. styles like Chikankari, Zardozi, Resham, Mirror, and Gota, and textiles like Bandhani and Ajrak. There is an entire spectrum of beauty to make your own and include in your closet.
Q: What stands out in your personal journey and evolution as a designer duo?
A: We began as two young men with no formal qualifications or funds to invest. What we did possess was an endless appetite for beauty, craftsmanship, and the will to create the finest. Our absolute refusal to compromise on our vision or expression has been our strongest motivation and ally in our mission.
There has been no desire to rest on our laurels or dilute our obsession as we have found success. We are even more passionate about our work today than we were then. We are always learning, always striving to expand our vision
| Sonam Kapoor is the personification of Amazing
Grace in an ivory saree drape by Abu Jani Sandeep
Khosla, styled to perfection by Rhea Kapoor.
| 21st CENTURY GOTHIC.
Timeless interior
Design by Abu Jani
Sandeep Khosla.
| The Bali collection Gota saree features mesmerising swirls of handembroidery in intricate gota, resham and sequins. Styled in a uniquely contemporary look with a gilet top featuring puff sleeves, it is proof that a Saree is the ultimate in versatile beauty. From the Book, India Fantastique Fashion by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Photography: Ram Shergill and hone our expression. Constant reinvention is our guiding principle. We are always looking at our work with brand new eyes and hungry hearts. There were no shortcuts then. There are no shortcuts now.
Q: Have you enjoyed your transition to interior and furniture design as much as couture and fashion?
A: We cannot rest. Creativity is a compulsion. A journey sans borders or limits. It cannot be contained and will spill over into new mediums and expressions.
We have expanded our creative expression and body of work to include furniture and interior design. We are passionate about design across the spectrum, and our foray into furniture began as a creative experiment, an urge to work in a new medium. We have worked in interior design since the 1990s, on select and exclusive projects. What began as a hobby has become a business vertical. And we enjoy it immensely, or else we wouldn’t incorporate it so comprehensively into our lives and work. Fashion remains our primary love and here too, we have created 3 new labels in addition to our couture label, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Asal by Abu Sandeep, Mard by Abu Sandeep, and Gulabo by Abu Sandeep.
Q: What are some of the exciting projects you’ve done in home interiors?
A: We work with select clients on select projects. Every single project is an absolute labour of love. Some of our memorable projects include Dimple Kapadia’s residence in Juhu, which we were asked to recreate for Selfridges, London, as part of their India Festival; the Verma Residence in New Delhi, which comprises three separate residences on the same estate; Shweta and Nikhil Nanda’s home; and the Passi Residence in Delhi.
We were also Creative Directors of the Terminal T2 departure terminal at Mumbai Airport. This was our first public space and holds special meaning to us.
Far From The Maddening Crowd
| Alibaug is known for its clean and scenic beaches, offering a breath of fresh air.
The most in demand second home destinations for Mumbaikars and what makes them so.
by Rakesh Agarwal
[ Aditya Vir Roy, Co-contributor ]
| Luxury Glass Villa at Alibaug,
Property ID: DGKHCD on SIR.com
It’s known as a city that never sleeps, but life in a dynamic and fast-paced city as Mumbai—can often take its toll. Luckily, when it comes to taking a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mumbai has plenty of getaway, second home destinations. The financial capital is surrounded by beaches, undulating landscapes, valleys and hillsides, dotted with waterfalls, old forts and hiking trails. Now think of your own house in such a lush, green locale, one that you can escape to, whenever the desire strikes! When the pandemic hit, many who had had the foresight to own a second home in locations outside Greater Mumbai, found themselves the luckiest. Today with the options of hybrid or even entirely work-from-home models, destination homes continue to remain much in demand.
Here are the best locations for premium second home properties around Mumbai, and what makes them so.
Alibaug
A Konkan beach town located at a distance of 96 km to the south of Mumbai, Alibaug is the most in demand destination for wealthy Mumbaikars. Known for its clean
| Luxury Glass Villa at Alibaug,
Property ID: DGKHCD on SIR.com
and scenic beaches, offering a breath of fresh air. Often referred to as Little Goa, Alibaug is a hidden gem offering all the fun of the sun and sand minus the trouble of navigating the crowds that flock to beaches during the holiday season. With the availability of straight-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables as well as fresh catch from the sea, high quality food can often be found at fairly affordable prices. For those looking to relish traditional Konkani and Malvani cuisine, restaurants like Sanman and Kasar Khanaval Cafe are known for their seafood thalis and classic delicacies like the Pomfret fry, while cafes like Bohemyan Blues and Kiki’s Takeaway cater to a more European palate.
Alibaug has an extensive variety of villas and summer homes,
| Luxury Glass Villa at Alibaug,
Property ID: DGKHCD on SIR.com
with offerings such as beautiful views of the sea, beach access, or even a private pool. Luxury villas can go up for rent to holiday-goers to close to 50,000 rupees per night. The close by Nagaon beach offers adventure sports like parasailing and jet skiing, and the quieter beaches like Varsoli beach offer tranquil views of the sea as well as a chance to enjoy a peaceful walk along the water. From Sharukh Khan, to Virat and Anushka, Deepika and Ranveer, it’s truly the destination of choice for the who's who.
Lonavala offers the perfect sweet spot; easy accessibility to the city, but also the lush landscapes of far-off hilltowns. lonavala
An all time favourite among residents of both Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala was initially a hotbed for tourism in Maharashtra and now has a thriving residential market. For many homeowners, Lonavala offers the perfect sweet spot, easy accessibility to the city, but also the lush landscapes of far-off hilltowns. While the Karla and Bhaja caves, as well as the Lohagad fort, are popular historical spots for sightseeing, more adventurous options like river-rafting, hiking and stargazing are perfect for solo vacationers as well as families looking for a bit of weekend fun. Sustained footfall to the hillside town has resulted in a growing number of luxury resorts and hotels in the area. With an ever-expanding list of people owning farmhouses, many of them eminent businesspeople and A-list celebrities such as Natasha Poonawalla and Hrithik Roshan. In Lonavala, the demand for marquee is only expected to rise, as is the number of fine-dining restaurants and retreats offerings. Some of the most popular dine -out options include the German Bakery Wunderbar with its classic breakfast spread, Peacock The Un-Restaurant, a hot favourite for its chilled out vibe, and the ever green Parsi Dhaba.
Karjat
Another popular outstation destination located at a drivable distance of just 63 kilometres from Mumbai, Karjat is a quaint village located on the banks of the Ulhas river. This panoramic town is steadily gaining ground as a retirement and holiday homes choice. Second home properties in Karjat often come in large, luxurious plots with ample
| Karjat: Located at a drivable distance of just 63 kilometres from Mumbai.
Second home properties in Karjat often come in large, luxurious plots with ample green space in the form of gardens and backyards.
green space in the form of gardens and backyards, and are a great option for those looking for a farmhouse-style living. While restaurants like the Kinaara Village Dhaba continue to attract a loyal crowd, over the years, destinations like The Forest, a wellness resort, and Saltt, a rustic, farmhousestyle fine-dining restaurant, offer residents and visitors a more premium experience spread across acres of greenery. Sightseeing options like the rock-cut Kondana caves and Kothaligad fort are popular destinations for a weekend visit, but for a resident, the possibilities to explore the beauty of the Sahyadris and the Western Ghats are endless with caves, waterfalls, backwaters and valleys a short drive away. Buying a second home here is perfect for those looking to spend more time in nature to enjoy the restorative effects of clean air, abundant sunlight and mindful living.
