Large real estate players in the North have drawn inspiration from Dubai and the United States to launch sports cities. The promise is a home from where you just have to step out for a run on a jogging track, throw a few punches in a boxing arena, enrol your kid in the residential cricket academy.

Jaypee Infratech was the first off the block with a 5,000-acre integrated sports city project in Greater Noida.

3C has announced a 180-acre sports city township in Sector 78-79 in Noida, and Logix a 200-acre project in Sector 150.

In Meerut, Supertech has launched a 51-acre sports city on the National Highway (Roorkee road) near Pallavpuram at an estimated Rs 1,100 crore slated to touch the finish line by 2015. The Meerut sports city claims to be reasonably priced, with the price range beginning from Rs 1,500 per square feet.

“Our major USP is that we are the first movers in Meerut and enjoy a competitive edge. Meerut is a fast growing city in the National Capital region ”, says Mr Mohit Arora, Director, Supertech Group. From golf courses to horse riding academies, cricket grounds with coaching academies, to swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, these cities are trying to outdo one another in amenities.

Logix is promising an active and healthy lifestyle with an international spa and resort brand, organic farming and botanical gardens. The city claims to have something for everyone — right from dance, acting and fine arts academies for culture aficionados to boating and fishing lake for nature lovers to meditation garden and yoga centre for those seeking spiritual wellness.

Says Mr Shaktinath, Managing Director, Logix Group, “We now realise that we need to break the fast pace of our routines and take time out for physical and mental well-being. Also, parents want to provide children with a lifestyle which encourage an all-round development.” Scheduled for completion in 2015, Logix's ‘Neo World'has homes ranging between Rs 3,800 per sq. ft. and Rs 6,000 per sq ft. The real estate firm is pumping Rs 2,000 crore into the project.

CWG impact

“Having a theme helps in creating differentiation in a market which is flooded with residential projects. It can safely be said that the popularity of the sports city has to do with the hype around the recently concluded Commonwealth Games,” says Mr Brijesh Bhanode, Director (sales and marketing), 3C. The company is currently finalising the master plan for the sport cityexpected to be completed within 26 months from the date of launch.

On the rationale behind these projects , Mr Vibhor Gupta, DGM-Marketing, Jaypee Greens, says “We may not be the best at sports, but we have a huge passion for sports.” He adds, “Sport is only the underlying theme. What we are really offering is a world class city targeting all population from all income brackets.”

Jaypee says “Over 5,000 orders have already been placed for residence in the city which has a capacity of 1.5 lakh families. Our first phase is already sold out and the rates have shown appreciation of more than 75 per cent. Our Kassia district plots appreciated from Rs 2,700 a sq. ft to current Rs 4,500, ” informs Mr Vivek Mishra, Senior Manager (Marketing) at Jaypee Greens. “So the acceptability of the concept is there. We will therefore be experimenting with newer and newer products,” he adds.

Grand Prix track

Jaypee Greens is thinking on rather ambitious lines with the first international motor race track that will host the Indian Grand Prix in October, 2011. In addition, the project shall house an ICC Standard Cricket stadium of one lakh seating capacity, equalling that of Eden Gardens.

But the experience doesn't end there. There is a 16.7-km long boulevard running across the city and ranging between 16 and 200 metres in width, where one can relax, jog and be close to nature.

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