As India’s cities expand and urban density increases, a new segment of homebuyers is beginning to rethink what luxury truly means. Increasingly, space, biodiversity, and environmental balance are becoming central to how premium communities are designed.
Few developers have approached this philosophy as deeply as Prashant Kajaria, Managing Director of SPA Group. With a background that spans floriculture, ecosystem-led thinking, and nature-integrated real estate, Kajaria has spent decades building communities that place environmental balance at the centre of urban living.
From Industrial Roots to Nature-Led Communities
SPA Group’s journey began long before its real estate developments in Bengaluru. The group was originally founded in 1972 by Kajaria’s grandfather and was involved in businesses ranging from liquid warehousing and cold storage to steel plants.
“We were among the largest players in liquid warehousing in eastern India,” Kajaria explains. “Our storage capacity alone was about 140,000 kilolitres.”
While the family’s business roots were in Kolkata, Kajaria moved to Bengaluru in 1993, driven by a very different vision.
At the time, India’s floriculture industry was beginning to grow, supported by government initiatives and international expertise. Kajaria saw an opportunity to build something unique.
“We were among the first few companies in India to start a 100 percent export-oriented floriculture venture,” he says.
Over the next 15 years, the company grew into one of India’s largest floriculture enterprises, supplying fertilizers, planting materials, greenhouse infrastructure, and other products to growers across the country.
However, Kajaria felt his long-term calling lay elsewhere.
“I have always been a person inclined towards nature and environmental balance. I wanted to create something that could impact people’s lives on a daily basis.”
That thought eventually evolved into the idea of developing nature-integrated residential communities such as Frangipani Estates and SPA Ecocity.
Why Environment Defines the Value of a Home
Kajaria believes that what truly differentiates one home from another is not the structure itself but the environment in which it exists.
“A home is ultimately made of the same basic elements, brick, mortar, marble, windows,” he says. “What differentiates your home from mine is the environment around it.”
For him, the real value of housing lies in the quality of surroundings: open spaces, sunlight, air quality, and biodiversity.
“People pay a premium for balconies, for open views, for natural light. What they are actually paying for is the quality of environment.”
This thinking shaped SPA Group’s decision to develop curated communities rather than conventional apartment projects.
Instead of dictating how homeowners should live through pre-designed villas or cookie-cutter apartments, Kajaria preferred a model that allows residents to build homes within thoughtfully designed ecological environments.
“I have always believed that who am I to decide how someone else should live. Our role is to create the environment; the homeowner should create their own lifestyle within it.”
Lessons from Floriculture and Ecological Thinking
Kajaria’s experience in floriculture played a critical role in shaping how he approaches real estate development today.
Working closely with plant ecosystems taught him the importance of long-term environmental sustainability.
“In floriculture you learn how to conserve water, maintain soil health, and choose plant species that are naturally suited to the environment,” he explains.
Planting the wrong varieties or designing landscapes that require excessive water or chemical support can quickly damage ecosystems.
These lessons now influence how landscapes are designed within SPA communities.
“We ensure that the plant species we introduce are ecologically sustainable and capable of thriving naturally in the environment.”
Beyond aesthetics, many plant choices within these communities serve specific environmental purposes.
For instance, lemongrass is planted along walking trails because it naturally improves air quality and contributes to better oxygenation.
Kajaria even invites visitors to measure air quality levels within his developments.
“We tell people to bring an AQI meter and compare the air inside our communities with the air outside. The difference becomes very clear.”
How the Pandemic Changed Buyer Priorities
Kajaria believes the pandemic significantly accelerated a shift that was already beginning in India’s housing market.
“When people were confined inside apartments during COVID, they realised that space is luxury,” he says.
Fresh air, open skies, and proximity to nature suddenly became essential rather than aspirational.
“People understood that being close to nature is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity.”
However, he acknowledges that such developments inevitably cater to a specific segment of buyers.
Nature-led communities typically require larger land parcels and lower density planning, which means they are often located on the outskirts of cities.
“When you leave 60 or 70 percent of the land open, the economics naturally change. These developments attract buyers who truly understand the value of space and environment.”
Infrastructure and the Expansion of Bengaluru
Kajaria sees infrastructure development as a key factor driving the expansion of cities like Bengaluru.
Across India, infrastructure growth is directly linked to urban expansion.
“Our cities are growing because infrastructure is improving,” he explains.
In Bengaluru, however, demand continues to outpace infrastructure development due to the massive influx of talent, technology companies, and global businesses.
Despite the city’s congestion challenges, Kajaria believes Bengaluru remains one of India’s most vibrant urban ecosystems.
“It has some of the best educational institutions, healthcare facilities, startup ecosystems, and technology talent in the country.”
Improved connectivity is gradually making peripheral areas more accessible, allowing developers to create larger, more sustainable communities beyond the city’s core.
Why Low-Density Living Will Become More Valuable
As Indian cities continue to densify, Kajaria believes low-density communities integrated with nature will become increasingly rare.
And rarity, he argues, inevitably increases value.
“What is rare always becomes more valuable,” he says.
Over time, more buyers are expected to recognise the long-term importance of space, clean air, and ecological balance.
While many urban residents may currently prioritise proximity to city centres, Kajaria believes a growing segment will increasingly choose lifestyle and quality of life over centrality.
“The luxury of disconnecting from the central business district is something only a few people can afford today, but that mindset is slowly evolving.”
Mistakes the Industry Still Makes
Despite growing awareness about sustainable living, Kajaria believes the real estate industry still makes critical mistakes in land use planning.
One of the most common issues is developing residential projects in areas that are environmentally unsuitable.
“For example, building residential communities in industrial zones where pollution levels are high is simply not responsible planning,” he says.
Another concern is the gradual erosion of residential neighbourhoods as commercial establishments begin to dominate them.
“In many cities, residential areas that were once peaceful have now become mixed-use zones with restaurants and retail outlets.”
This shift often forces residents to relocate to gated communities where privacy and serenity can be preserved.
Staying a Niche, Bespoke Brand
Unlike many developers who pursue aggressive expansion strategies, Kajaria has no interest in scaling SPA Group into a massive real estate corporation.
Instead, he prefers to remain in the niche, bespoke segment of the market.
“When companies become too large, they often become disconnected from their customers,” he explains.
Kajaria compares this difference to the contrast between a bespoke designer and a large retail chain.
“In a bespoke business, every client is known personally. In a mass retail system, you become just another number.”
SPA Group’s long-term goal is to remain closely connected with its community of homeowners while continuing to build nature-centric environments.
A Simple Philosophy: Customer First
For Kajaria, the most important principle any developer should follow is straightforward.
“Customer first,” he says.
If every decision is made with the buyer’s interests in mind, the business will inevitably move in the right direction.
This philosophy is reflected in the company’s guiding tagline: You Matter.
“It could be our customer, our vendor, or our service partner. Whoever interacts with us should feel that they matter.”
Building Homes That Remain Dreams
Kajaria is also deeply conscious of the emotional and financial investment that homebuyers make.
For many families, buying a home represents years of savings and long-term financial commitments.
“People are investing their life’s earnings and committing to fifteen or twenty years of EMIs,” he says.
That responsibility places a moral obligation on developers.
“After fifteen years, that dream home should still remain a dream, not just another house.”
For Kajaria, the goal is simple, to create communities that bring happiness to the people who live in them.
“I often describe myself not as a developer but as a chief gardener,” he says with a smile.
“I simply try to create an environment where nature and people can grow together.”
