DLF and Godrej Properties Riding the Premium Housing Wave in India

Indications are strong that a new phase is unfolding in India’s real-estate cycle, with more buyers opting for premium and luxury segments. The shift towards high-end housing has created fresh momentum for developers such as DLF Ltd and Godrej Properties Ltd. A survey by ANAROCK Research showed that 36 % of homebuyers now prefer units in the ₹90 lakh ₹1.5 crore bracket, and in Q1 FY25 luxury homes (priced above ₹4 crore) rose 28 %-year-on-year. With such trends, it seems these developers are back in the spotlight.

Real-Estate Demand Surge and Premium Focus

India’s property market is clearly shifting gears. Data for H1 2025 reveals that 36 % of respondents in a home-buyer survey favoured homes priced between ₹90 lakh and ₹1.5 crore. (websitemedia.anarock.com) In the luxury segment, more than 1,900 homes (priced above ₹4 crore) were sold in India’s major cities in Q1 FY25, up 28 %. (The Financial Express) Meanwhile, average homeprices across the top-7 cities surged 23 % year-on-year, reaching around ₹1.23 crore. (The Financial Express) These trends signal that premium housing is regaining strength and developers with strong brands are well-positioned to benefit.

DLF and Godrej Properties Leading the Charge

Among listed players, Godrej Properties recorded pre-sales of approximately ₹29,444 crore in FY25, while DLF posted about ₹21,233 crore. (Estate, Market, Fund, Insurance, Loan) DLF in particular is ahead of the curve, having achieved roughly 52 % of its FY26 bookings target in just Q1. (Estate, Market, Fund, Insurance, Loan) At the same time, Godrej remains a top seller and continues to lead in large-scale launches. These results suggest strong developer momentum aligning with shifting buyer preferences toward premium, amenities-rich housing.

Innovation and Execution in Premium Developments

DLF has moved aggressively into high-end project design and sustainability. For example, its commercial office space in Hyderabad became the first in India to achieve LEED Zero certifications in Energy, Water and Waste. It is also adopting modular construction techniques prefabricated bathroom pods, off-site façades, and robotic assembly to reduce completion time by 30-40 %.
To enhance value per square foot, DLF is integrating experience-driven retail zones combining lifestyle, dining and wellness, guided by analytics and foot-fall heatmaps.
On the other side, Godrej Properties continues to launch luxury-branded residential towers with smart-home features, high-quality finishes and strategic locations all of which resonate with a buyer pool now willing to spend 3-4× compared to five years ago.

Financials Talk the Story

DLF’s Q1 FY26 consolidated revenue was ₹2,717 crore, a 66.45 % increase year-on-year, while net profit rose 18.3 % to ₹763 crore. The rise was driven by premium launches, though margins narrowed as one-time gains were missing and land costs remained elevated. (Reuters) These figures reflect a broader industry up-cycle: better balance sheets, more launches, and stronger consumer demand. According to a survey, 63 % of buyers now view real-estate as the most preferred investment class up 4 percentage-points from the previous year. (The Economic Times)

What This Means for Investors and Buyers

For serious home-buyers and investors, the shift toward premium and ultra-luxury housing offers clear take-aways:

Brand matters: Developers with track records and deep balance sheets will dominate, especially in a market where trust is a key differentiator.
Location + lifestyle: Premium buyers ignore cheapest options; they prioritise connectivity, space, amenities and execution quality something both DLF and Godrej emphasise.
Scale of launches: With demand shifting to larger homes and luxury units, openings in the ₹90 lakh–₹1.5 crore range now account for a major chunk of buyer interest.
Investment justification: With average prices up by 20–30 %+ in many metros and developer bookings accelerating, there is momentum for appreciation though affordability remains a concern. (The Economic Times)

Conclusion

As India’s real-estate market enters its next growth wave, premium housing is back in focus and that means developers such as DLF and Godrej Properties are once again at the forefront. From robust sales and land deals to project innovation and rising buyer preference for luxury homes, the conditions are right for the premium segment to lead the story. For home-buyers and investors who emphasise quality, brand strength and long-term growth, this revival signals a timely opportunity.

Source: https://torbitrealty.com/dlf-and-godrej-properties-back-in-vogue-as-premium-housing-demand-surges-across-india/

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