Lifestyles of the rich & famous
Real estate
By Vasu

IT is a maze. A convoluted meandering cobble-stoned, stone-walled maze which offers tantalising glimpses of mansions from the narrow crevices on either side of tall, elaborate solid steel gates. Bordering the Mehrauli-Gurgaon highway of the Capital, the most expensive ‘farmhouse’ real estate of the country is home to only a select few — those who have always had the money, and the upstarts, who have made too much of it, in too little time and now wish to declare their arrival. If one was asked to describe these farms, the easiest way out is to ask the reader to watch an American soap on the lifestyle of the rich and famous or the bold and beautiful. For, the term ‘farm’ has become a misnomer.

The basic pattern is of a solid rock wall on the periphery, a minimum 20 feet in height, topped with electronic alarm systems, wires, spikes and the occasional ‘desi’ broken glass. A ring of guard dogs and security staff followed by a thick wall of tall trees. Next comes the mandatory jogging track which encircles and at times ribbons through the emerald green valleys and hillocks of hybrid grass dotted with exotic flowers and shrubs. A sprinkling of water bodies ranging from swimming pools, fountains, ripples and waterfalls, the option of a stable or a tennis court, depending on one’s inclination — all this forms the average Mehrauli farmhouse. After certain essentialities like 10 quarters for servants and similar housing capacity for cars, the central position of pride is held by the building which after having been balanced in cosmic and karmic forces by the local vastu expert, is always a copy — a copy or an amalgam of forms from various buildings and homes in countries across the world except India.

Lavish interiors apart, where the marble is always Italian and the crystal from Austria, the very land on which they are constructed does not come cheap. Even in these times when buyers are practically non-existent and property prices are at rock bottom, the going rate of prime locations is between Rs 3 crore and Rs 3.5 crore per acre. These rates vary according to location, and the lowest range is between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh per acre in the very interiors near mandis or in the areas where one might still come across a couple of cows and tractor trolleys. Rates had touched a peak of Rs 5 crore per acre, a couple of years ago, in the Sultanpur, Ghittorni and Gadaipur areas as they are practically in South Delhi, says Anurag Bhasin a realtor. Rentals, however, are not commensurate with the prices the property demands and a well kept average building on the mandatory 2.5 acre plot comes for a monthly price tag of Rs 1.5 lakh.

The middle class and upper class aspirants also share the same locale, if not for everyday living then for the occasional binge at the time of weddings, birthday parties or anniversaries. Farmhouses were initially thought to be dead investments where buyers would either use them as part-time residences or fun-time retreats, says Rakesh Kumar, whose deals in farmhouse vacations and parties. Today several owners have got together and formed consortiums to make their property generate money when they do not require it. Either they rent out the farmhouses during season months or put them on a panel formed by caterers who offer it to those who want a picture-perfect backdrop for momentous occasions. Besides catering, where the farmhouse is offered as a backdrop and the price charged for food on a per head basis several combinations are available for the wannabes. For a short stay of three to four days where one can pretend to be the lord of the manor, one has to pay Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per day. Servants and food on the house. Renting the place for an entire month during vacations for the entire family comes for an approximate price tag of Rs 2 lakh. For theme parties, all whacky details taken care of, just don the costume, attend your own party and shell out around Rs 30,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, he says. Besides, the normal wedding and family function celebrations, where props can vary between yards and yards of coordinated tussar silk or orchid bouquets suspended along with lights from every tree top, are all held here.

Other productions at farmhouses include singers. The more famous ones charge anything up to Rs 5 lakh per performance, and DJs for the ‘not so young but trendy’ charge anything between Rs 10,000 and Rs 70,000. The farmhouse business flourishes for only four months in the entire year, says Rakesh. From mid-October to mid-February most of the farmhouses are booked. Though last year business was bad, on an average 10 parties are held for every one in the off season.

Along with the abodes have come the spin-offs. The entire main road which once housed dilapidated shacks has been converted to showrooms. The concentration of the moneyed class has spawned a mini industry which feeds the demands of this group for upmarket items. So be it designer wrought iron furniture, matching ceramic dishes, hand-painted silk linen, or mundane kiwi fruit at Rs 300 per kg, Japanese apples for Rs 500 per piece or humble strawberries, this side of town has it all. The food joints have kept pace. Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Indonesian, Cajun and the ordinary — all fancy cuisine is available.

Surprisingly companies do not prefer farmhouses for their conferences or seminars. Some groups do hold annual employee get-togethers here, since most major business houses of the country own property in this golden belt, say dealers. However, once ensconced in what is perhaps the most lavish address of the city, they hanker for their small hometowns, says Rakesh, citing the example of a Ludhiana business house, which will only get food for parties catered by a firm in Chandigarh, and a Mumbai couple who flies down people to get striped satin tents erected for their bashes.