Sundaram BNP Paribas Home Finance is expanding its presence in select markets in western and eastern India, according to a press release from the company.

Buoyed by a strong presence in the South and a 63-per-cent growth in business last year, the company has entered West Bengal with an office in Kolkata. Over the next quarter, it will be present in Orissa and Maharashtra with offices in Bhubaneswar and Nasik.

In the South, the company has expanded intoKarimnagar, Kurnool, Nizamabad and Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh and Udupi and Shimoga in Karnataka. It has also set up new offices in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi, the release said.

Mr G. Sundararajan, Vice-President and Head - Finance, said, “While expanding into new geographies is part of the growth strategy for this year, we will continue to strengthen our presence in the southern market and look to increase our market share in this region. We expect Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in the South to be the major growth drivers for the business over the next 12months.

Busy saving energy

Schneider Electric's head office, Hive 1, in France, has been certified as complying with the new ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems. The Hive, is a French acronym for ‘The Hall of Innovation and Energy Showcase', is a 35,000 sq-m building that accommodates more than 1,800 employees in Rueil-Malmaison, France.While emphasising its expertise in energy management, the certification recognised by AFNOR Certification 2, a globally top ranking certification authority, is in line with the company's commitment to continuously improve energy efficiency of its buildings, reduce environmental footprint and enhance user comfort.

Mr Frederic Abbal, President, Schneider Electric France, said in a press release, “More than ever, we are aiming for the highest standards in energy management for both our customers' buildings and our own. The Hive provides valuable feedback that we can leverage to develop efficient, operational energy performance solutions that create value for our customers.”

Other Schneider Electric sites are following in the Hive's footsteps. The commercial and R&D buildings in the Grenoble area, have already obtained NF EN 16001 certification and are now preparing to meet the new ISO 50001 standard.

Unitech's launches

Unitech has launched two projects in Nirvana Country 2, Gurgaon — Nirvana Courtyard 2 and The Willows. Nirvana Country 2, is a 100-acre integrated township in sector 71,72 Gurgaon, with luxury developments including villas in projects such as Alder Grove and Espace Premiere and apartments in Exquisite.

Nirvana Courtyard 2 offers a combination of world-class office spaces and retail outlets. It is offering ready-to-move-in office suites of 486 sq.ft with 100 per cent power back-up, retail space starting from 300 sq. ft such as health clubs, beauty clinics, and restaurants with open terrace and seating for a fine dining experience, cafes, boutiques.

The Willows is an exclusive plotted development in this integrated township of Nirvana Country 2, of 500 sq. yrds. It is a gated community, well connected to NH 8 and Golf Course Extension.

Jones Lang LaSalle's big deal

Jones Lang LaSalle India has handled Rs 605.8-crore land sale deal for Mafatlal Industries in Mumbai, according to a press release from the international property consultant.

Mafatlal Industries has sold 30,910 sq. m. of land to Gliders Buildcon LLP, a subsidiary of Piramal Realty.

The deal is considered to be the largest transaction enabled by an international property consultancy in India. Mr Khushru Jijina, Managing Director, Piramal Realty Ltd, said in the release, “This land parcel is located 15 minutes from the Victoria Terminus, 30 minutes from Bandra Kurla Complex via the new bridge in Parel and ten minutes from Mumbai Central, Mahalakshmi Station and the Race Course. As such, we find it ideally suited for mixed use development.”

With the greenery cover, panoramic sea view and an FSI of 1.33 which provides for a built-up space of 46,669 sq m, this plot will fulfill its highest potential in premium residential. The development potential in terms of saleable area is approximately 1 million square feet.

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