Hospitality

SEETI 2.0, a five-day culinary immersion, brought together around 50 chefs, creators and storytellers for an experience that moved far beyond conventional food tourism. Designed as a deeply curated cultural platform, the programme enabled participants to experience Meghalaya through its communities, landscapes and living traditions. Unlike traditional festivals, the initiative prioritised meaningful engagement over surface-level exposure. Built on the idea of generosity and exchange, it created a space where the food and beverage community could come together not just to experience, but to contribute, collaborate and carry stories forward. The result was not a moment, but a growing body of ideas, relationships and narrative capital that extends well beyond the event. “This year’s Meghalaya experience was about doing things differently. We wanted to understand what we could bring to the North East, and equally what we could take from here to the rest of the country and the world. The focus was not just on showcasing food, but on creating platforms for local chefs and communities to participate, engage and lead the narrative,” said Priya Raje, Co-Founder of the SEETI Movement. The programme was preceded by nearly a year of on-ground research, mapping Meghalaya’s diverse food systems, communities and landscapes. This translated into a series of highly contextual experiences — from meals following visits to sacred forests to immersive sessions at tea estates overlooking Umiam Lake each designed to reflect the cultural and ecological depth of the region. The structure of the experience was rooted in the identities of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities. “Designed as a cultural platform rather than a conventional event, the focus was on creating real connections between people and place. When experiences are truly rooted, they shift from being observed to being felt. That sense of participation is what stays with you and what ultimately drives long-term impact,” said Sid Mewara, Co-Founder of the SEETI Movement. He added, “Many guests arrived with a limited understanding of the region’s food. What they discovered was a remarkable depth — from nuanced vegetarian traditions to layered, subtle flavours all set against some of the most striking natural environments in the country.” The programme also highlighted the inherent sustainability of local food systems from hyper-local sourcing and low-waste practices to deeply community-driven models of production and consumption. At the same time, it reinforced the importance of responsible tourism, encouraging engagement with heritage spaces such as sacred forests and community ecosystems with sensitivity and respect. While the on-ground experience was intentionally intimate, its impact has been designed to scale through its participants a curated mix of globally recognised chefs, hospitality leaders, investors, media and content creators. As storytellers, they extend the narrative into wider audiences, shaping how the region is seen, understood and experienced. The Meghalaya edition also intersected with the state’s Culinary Cascades initiative, enabling deeper engagement with local producers, chefs and stakeholders, along with conversations around the future of the region’s food, craft and cultural economy. Organisers acknowledged the role of the Meghalaya Government in enabling the initiative, noting that coordinated support across departments made it possible to execute a programme of this depth and scale. Such collaboration allows for the creation of platforms that extend far beyond individual events and begin to influence broader ecosystems. Following the success of the Meghalaya edition, the platform is now positioned to expand across the North East, the rest of India and international locations carrying forward a format that combines food, community and storytelling into a deeply immersive experience. A long-format film documenting the journey is also in development, further extending its reach.

For years, NCR’s housing narrative was anchored where value was measured in price points and access. Today, that paradigm is being rewritten. Homeownership is becoming an expression of aspiration, identity, and long-term lifestyle alignment. What was once considered “premium” has begun to move into the mainstream consciousness, not as an upgrade, but as an expectation. This shift is underscored by the fact that a significant share of recent housing demand in NCR is now concentrated in the Rs. 1 crore-plus segment, signalling that the market is evolving. Knight Frank India’s latest report has noted a notable change in the market where houses with a price tag of above Rs 10 million accounted for 50% of the total residential sales in the top eight cities of India in 2025. Out of a total of 348,247 units sold during the year, about 175,091 units belonged to the category of houses with a price tag of above Rs 10 million, which is an increase of 14% over the previous year, with sales volumes staying flat and high. Besides, the definition of “premium” in NCR’s housing market is seeing a shift. It is no longer defined by a price bracket or a ticket price level; instead, it is being redefined in terms of experiences, design, and identity. Today’s premium home is just as much about experiences and living as it is about price. This is also reflected in the supply side, where an increasing proportion of supply is aligned to this new premium, and in the buyer profile, where there is an expansion of this market across a broader spectrum of price points. Premium, therefore, is no longer an economic definition but a conceptual one, based on how people want to live, and not merely on what they can afford. Another aspect of equal importance is the emergence of a new form of a premium homebuyer, whose characteristics have moved beyond just a high net-worth individual. A staggering 63% of homebuyers today classify real estate as a preferred investment option, which reflects a more financially savvy approach to homebuying. This trend is now being fueled by dual-income households, along with a new set of wealth creators from startup economies and GCC-led employment growth. What is particularly telling is the widening participation across ticket sizes, from the Rs. 1–3 crore bracket to higher-value segments, indicating that premium housing is no longer the preserve of legacy capital. Instead, it is being shaped by an aspirational, upwardly mobile buyer class whose purchasing power is matched by a clear intent to upgrade both lifestyle and asset quality. Further, the demand is increasingly concentrated in new premium locations like Dwarka Expressway and Noida Expressway, which are driving nearly 75–80% of the high-value transactions, reflecting the trend towards planned and low-density living. Developments such as MRG Crown, fronting Dwarka Expressway in Sector 106, Gurugram, exemplify this shift, where projects are being positioned around curated living environments, improved connectivity, and access to emerging urban infrastructure.   “As homebuyers become more discerning, the focus is clearly shifting towards integrated living environments where connectivity, planning, and lifestyle come together seamlessly. Infrastructure-led corridors like Dwarka Expressway are driving this transformation and redefining what premium living means in NCR,” said Rajjath Goel, Managing Director, MRG Group. At the same time, even as the overall volumes are moderating, the trend in value growth is still dominated by larger configurations, reflecting a decisive shift towards more expansive and functional living spaces. It is not just about living in bigger homes; it is about investing in more efficient living. The fact is, people are not paying for space; they are paying for how well that space is optimized. There is a parallel change in the manner in which houses are perceived as living spaces. This is also evident in the supply side, where premium houses now make up almost 74% of new launches in the NCR region, similar to the demand side, which is actively seeking more than just space. This is also evident in the prices, where there is an increase of almost 14% in residential prices, mainly due to the sustained performance in premium houses. There is also a trend towards homes that are providing a cohesive living experience. The rise of gated communities is also a reflection of this trend, and it is clear that for the new-age premium buyer, the product is not just the apartment. Moreover, another significant change in definition relates to the way in which location is being judged and measured, as buyers are now focusing more on micro-market intelligence as compared to city-level intelligence. The fact that premium homes in NCR are now clearly seen to be appreciating in clusters along infrastructure-led corridors, where connectivity and growth potential are at their highest, underlines the fact that the NCR market as a whole has seen a significant appreciation in property values to the tune of almost 24% on a yearly basis. Corridors such as Dwarka Expressway and Southern Peripheral Road are now seen as primary options as compared to peripheral options, and this can be attributed to the fact that there has been sustained government investment in road infrastructure, as well as in the expansion of the Metro and reduction in travel times. The fact remains that the premium homebuyer of today is no longer constrained by traditional CBDs but is making decisions based on where the city is going, as opposed to where it has been. The evolution of buyer aspirations is also being mirrored in developer strategies in NCR, although not as a catalyst but rather as a response to the changing aspirations of the buyer. This is also being reflected in a gradual move towards fewer, better-curated launches, where quality is being given greater importance over quantity. Hence, supply is not being pushed into the market but rather being curated in response to a more evolved buyer, thereby reflecting a greater degree of coherence between what is being supplied and what is being demanded. It is, therefore, in

Experion Developers, a leading luxury real estate group, has announced that it has clocked Rs. 1,800 crore in sales at the launch of its luxury residential development located in Sector 151 on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. Experion SAATORI – Redefining luxury living in Sector 151, Noida, with a Japanese-inspired lifestyle and premium residences  The company has sold approx. 400 units in Experion SAATORI which is situated 3 km from the Sector 148 metro station and is a short drive away from Noida International Airport at Jewar. The project benefits from excellent connectivity to major employment hubs across Noida and Delhi-NCR and is situated in a high-growth corridor. “Sector 151, Noida, is rapidly emerging as one of NCR’s most compelling residential micro-markets, driven by transformative infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and a fast-evolving urban ecosystem. SAATORI, our second project in Noida following the success of Experion Elements, has witnessed an exceptional response, with Rs. 1,800 crore in sales at launch. This performance is a strong validation of the deepening demand for luxury housing in Noida, particularly for developments that bring together design excellence, wellness-focused living, and a differentiated lifestyle proposition. With its strategic location near key infrastructure corridors, including Jewar Airport, and a rapidly maturing social and corporate ecosystem, we see sustained momentum in both end-user demand and investment interest in this market,” said Priyamvada Navet, Dy CEO, Experion Developers. Spread across an exclusive 5-acre, two-side open corner land parcel, SAATORI comprises three standalone towers rising to G+38 floors. The project is conceived as a low-density, Japanese-inspired lifestyle sanctuary, offering a tranquil residential environment with expansive green spaces and curated wellness amenities. With only four residences per core, it ensures privacy, openness, and unobstructed views. SAATORI has been designed by leading international consultants, with DPA, Singapore, serving as the architectural consultant and Plandscape, Bangkok, as the landscape design consultant, bringing global expertise and refined sensibilities to the project. The project offers spacious 3 BHK, and 4 BHK residences giving buyers the flexibility to make this luxury their own.

Ambience Mall, Gurugram has opened CoCo Ichibanya, the internationally acclaimed Japanese curry house, on its third floor. Spread across approx. 3,000 sq. ft. with seating for 52 guests, the outlet brings a globally recognised Japanese curry dining format to the mall’s evolving F&B mix. Originating in Japan in 1978, CoCo Ichibanya is widely regarded as the world’s largest Japanese curry chain. Known for its signature curry-and-rice offerings, the brand combines consistency with customisation, offering a dining experience that is both familiar and distinctive. With a growing international presence, its entry into Gurugram reflects its continued global expansion. The addition aligns with Ambience Mall Gurugram’s focus on strengthening its food and beverage portfolio through globally established brands that enhance consumer choice. Positioned as both an everyday dining option and a specialised international offering, CoCo Ichibanya adds depth to the mall’s culinary landscape. Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said, “Consumer preferences today are evolving towards experiences that feel both authentic and globally relevant. CoCo Ichibanya brings a strong international identity along with an offering that is approachable and versatile. At Ambience Mall, our focus remains on curating a balanced and contemporary mix, and this addition further strengthens that direction.” With this launch, Ambience Mall Gurugram continues to reinforce its positioning as a destination that integrates retail with thoughtfully curated dining and lifestyle experiences, catering to a more discerning and globally aware audience.