REVIEW: Hiranandani Zen

Overview

I am soon going to be un-popular person in Powai. Why? Well I might just end up saying a few harsh words against Mumbais number 1 developer.

The reason being the very basic and core fundamentals on which the Hiranandani brand was built (i.e. design, space, trust) are relatively amiss in this latest product offering by this luxury developer; the only constant being premium pricing!

The product was first launched in around 2013 where in brokers were collecting a booking amount of Rs. 5 lac; however the developer failed to get the required permissions and the project was stalled. A year later the same product was offered, similar proposition but higher price point. I was one of the eager few who were interested in picking up this product however this is what I found.

Quick Fact Check

• 4 towers coming up.
• 1 BHK carpet at approx. 360sq. ft., 2 BHK approx. 740 sq. ft.
• All close to Delphi/ HFS
• Possession in 4.5 years. 

Location

Well if you ask anyone about Powai, you will realize that this is the most charming and amazing suburb of Mumbai. Bandra, Powai and Andheri west are the heart of Mumbai where you have the best schools right from Bombay Scottish to Hiranandani school to Sm Shetty to the prestigious IIT and KVIT & NITIE

A walk score of more than 90. Loads of office spaces restaurants and an expats delight. Social infrastructure is unparalleled, you need to deepen you your vehicle however autos and buses ply regularly in this township.

This would be ranked as Mumbai’s number 1 township if someone was to carry out a survey keeping in mind its architecture, out of the ordinary urban planning and designs.

Plans

Layout

The Floor Plan

First there are 8 flats per floor, the 1 bhk is actually a mini 1 BHK / 1 room/kitchen (open kitchen concept). Also, this 1 room kitchen has only one bathroom. It's not a master bedroom it’s a 9 * 12 bedroom. Behind ADALIA A & B, and TAMARA Towers, there is pumping station for BMC sewage. See the attached layout plan. It was disappointing.

It seems that the Adalia building is for the government's 350 flats order that would be sold to the low income group or for rehabilitation. That is why the carpet area is barely 376 sqft hence the affordable prices for the flats in that building so that low income people can also purchase it.

The 2 BHK’s are much better improved and better layouts, the 2 BHK’s come with a 120 sq. ft. master bedroom & 100 sq. ft. bedroom which is not great. However you have to live with it.  I would rather invest in Nahar projects. That neighbourhood is also coming up very well and very close to Hiranandani, Powai. After 3-4 years, it would really be good

What do we like

• The location
• The developer - It’s Hiranandani!
• The common amenities

What we dont like

• The Floor Plans
• The internal amenities could have been better
• The clubouse - Wonder why Hiranandani didnt refurbish the old one and build a new one which is shared by so many people

Final verdict

Well if you have money and you want to live in Powai then go ahead and buy, otherwise I am not convinced on this from investment perspective. I feel L&T, Nahar would be better from investors’ perspective.