Lodha Altamount
Lodha Altamount is a postmodern luxury residential skyscraper located on Altamount Road, Mumbai's prestigious Billionaires' Row, developed by Macrotech Developers Limited, formerly known as Lodha Group.[1]
The 28-story tower, designed by German architect Hadi Teherani, features an all-glass black façade providing residents with panoramic, unrestricted views of the Arabian Sea and city skyline from each of its exclusive floors, which house only one residence apiece for maximum privacy.[1][2]
Offering 3- to 5-bedroom apartments and penthouses ranging from approximately 2,000 to 4,100 square feet in bare-shell configuration to allow personalization, the project emphasizes villa-like seclusion in an urban setting with amenities including a kids' play pool, early learning center, and guest accommodations.[1][3][4]
Erected on the site of the former U.S. Consul General's residence, Lodha Altamount has set benchmarks for ultra-luxury real estate in India, with record sales such as a Rs 160 crore apartment in 2015, underscoring its appeal to high-net-worth individuals despite early regulatory disputes over floor approvals with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.[5][6][7]
History
Planning and Development Initiation
The Lodha Group acquired the site for what would become Lodha Altamount in December 2012, purchasing Washington House—a residential property previously owned by the United States Consulate—on Altamount Road in Mumbai's Tardeo area for ₹341.82 crore.[8][9] This transaction represented a pivotal shift for the developer, which had built its reputation on large-scale affordable and mid-segment housing projects in suburban Mumbai, such as those in Thane, toward the ultra-luxury segment in the city's prime South Central locales.[1] The acquisition positioned Lodha to target Mumbai's "billionaires' row," an enclave known for high-value properties housing affluent residents and landmarks like Antilia.[10] As part of the initial conceptualization, Lodha selected German-Iranian architect Hadi Teherani to design the project, envisioning a postmodern tower with an all-glass black façade to create a distinctive landmark amid Altamount Road's established low-rise luxury residences. Teherani's firm was tasked with emphasizing seclusion, panoramic views, and technological sophistication, aligning with the goal of offering "villas in the sky" through single-residence-per-floor configurations.[11] This choice reflected Lodha's ambition to differentiate the development via international architectural expertise, moving beyond standard high-rise typology to appeal to high-net-worth buyers seeking exclusivity.[12] Regulatory approvals proceeded amid Mumbai's stringent Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), which governed Floor Space Index (FSI) allocations and open space requirements under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Lodha pursued incentive FSI benefits tied to providing recreational ground (RG) space, but faced pre-2016 disputes with the BMC over the deduction of 15% of the plot area for RG prior to calculating such incentives, a practice the developer contested as inconsistent with zoning norms for premium plots.[7] These challenges delayed full commencement but were navigated through appeals, including eventual support from state urban development authorities, enabling the project's foundational planning to advance toward a targeted launch in early 2013.[8]Construction and Completion
Construction of Lodha Altamount began in 2013 following regulatory approvals for the site in Mumbai's densely populated Altamount Road area.[13] The project employed advanced engineering methods suited to urban constraints, including a composite structure combining reinforced concrete cores with steel framing elements, and climbing formwork systems for the reinforced concrete core to accelerate vertical progression.[14] Slip formwork techniques were utilized for the all-glass façade installation, enabling efficient assembly in a seismically active zone requiring robust lateral load resistance through deep foundation piling and shear wall integration per Indian standards.[14] These approaches allowed the 195-meter, 43-storey tower to advance rapidly despite logistical challenges like restricted site access and proximity to existing high-value structures.[15] The building achieved structural completion in 2018, marking a five-year build timeline from commencement—a duration comparable to or shorter than many contemporaneous Mumbai supertall projects exceeding 150 meters, which often span 6-8 years due to phased approvals and material sourcing.[13][15] Topping out occurred prior to full enclosure, with the crown and façade systems finalized shortly thereafter, incorporating UV-resistant double-glazed panels for enhanced durability.[15] Handover of initial units commenced post-occupancy certification in the late 2010s, transitioning to ready-to-move status by the early 2020s, though some phased interiors extended possessions into subsequent years amid fit-out customizations.[16] No major regulatory or logistical delays specific to the core build were reported, contrasting with broader industry trends in Mumbai where environmental clearances can extend timelines by 1-2 years.[17]Key Milestones and Sales Launch
Lodha Altamount's sales launch occurred in 2015 as part of the Lodha Group's introduction of its Luxury Collection brand, targeting ultra-high-end properties in premium Mumbai locations.[18] This marked the project's entry into the market with full-floor simplex residences, differentiating it from traditional multi-unit towers by offering villa-like exclusivity on each level.[1] Early momentum was evident in November 2015, when a 10,000-square-foot duplex apartment sold for Rs 160 crore at Rs 1.60 lakh per square foot, setting a national record for residential transactions at the time and underscoring initial demand for its positioning on Altamount Road.[19][6] The project integrated into Lodha's broader luxury portfolio alongside developments like Lodha Malabar, reinforcing a focus on limited-edition, sea-facing residences in South Mumbai's elite enclaves.[1] Sales activity persisted beyond the initial phase, reflecting sustained viability amid market fluctuations. A notable transaction in July 2025 involved a unit sale for Rs 41.5 crore, highlighting ongoing appeal for high-floor configurations even a decade post-launch.[3] These milestones, from record-breaking early deals to recent high-value resales, affirm the tower's role as a benchmark for super-luxury real estate in India, with inventory absorption driven by its strategic location and design emphasis on privacy and panoramic views.Location and Site
Geographical and Urban Context
Lodha Altamount occupies a prominent position on Altamount Road, also referred to as Forjett Hill Road, within the Tardeo neighborhood of South Mumbai, specifically in the Gowalia Tank sublocality.[1][3] This site lies at approximately 18.9681° N latitude and 72.8103° E longitude, on a compact plot of about 0.5 acres amid one of the city's most affluent residential stretches.[20][21] The development's built-up area spans roughly 192,000 square feet, leveraging Mumbai's floor space index allowances to create a high-rise amid surrounding low-rise luxury estates.[22] Altamount Road stands out as a low-density enclave of elite residences, including several billionaire-owned properties, contrasting sharply with Mumbai's overall population density exceeding 20,000 persons per square kilometer.[23][24] This positioning underscores the area's exclusivity, where spacious villas and towers like Lodha Altamount preserve privacy and elevation advantages over the densely packed urban fabric of South Mumbai's island city core, which averages over 40,000 persons per square kilometer in broader wards.[25] The site's elevated terrain facilitates unobstructed Arabian Sea views from upper floors and immediate access to nearby green spaces such as the Hanging Gardens on adjacent Malabar Hill, approximately 1 kilometer away.[1][26] Connectivity to central business districts like Nariman Point is enhanced by proximity to arterial roads including Hughes Road and proximity to public transit hubs, situating the project within a 5-10 minute drive of key commercial nodes while maintaining separation from high-traffic congestion zones.[27]Proximity to Landmarks and Infrastructure
Lodha Altamount is situated on Altamount Road, often referred to as Mumbai's Billionaires' Row, directly adjacent to Antilia, the residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, which enhances its status within an enclave of ultra-high-net-worth properties contributing to the area's skyline and prestige.[1][28] The development offers connectivity to major transport arteries, including the Western Express Highway via nearby Pedder Road (approximately 0.7 km away) and Dr. E. Moses Road, facilitating access to northern suburbs despite Mumbai's chronic congestion, where average peak-hour speeds on such routes hover around 20-25 km/h according to urban mobility studies. Local rail links are proximate, with Grant Road station about 1 km away on the Western Line, enabling commutes to central business districts. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport lies roughly 18 km to the north, a drive typically taking 45-60 minutes under normal conditions but extendable during rush hours.[29][30][21] Surrounding civic infrastructure supports resident needs, with Breach Candy Hospital located within 2 km, providing specialized care in a city where public health facilities often face overload. Educational access includes elite institutions like Cathedral and John Connon School, approximately 3 km distant, underscoring the area's appeal for affluent families prioritizing proximity to top-tier services over broader urban gridlock.[26][31]Architecture and Design
Structural and Aesthetic Features
Lodha Altamount is a 43-storey residential skyscraper standing 195 meters tall, constructed primarily with steel for its vertical and lateral structural elements as well as floor systems, enabling a slender profile atypical of Mumbai's denser concrete-dominated high-rises.[13][2] This steel framework supports an all-black glass facade designed by German-Iranian architect Hadi Teherani, which employs UV-resistant double-glazed panels to maximize natural light penetration and unobstructed Arabian Sea vistas from upper levels, prioritizing view corridors over ornamental excess.[2][32][33] The postmodern aesthetic, characterized by the uniform dark glass envelope, deviates from Mumbai's prevalent clustered tower clusters by forming a singular, isolated vertical mass that enhances resident privacy through reduced adjacency to neighboring structures, contrasting with the compact, multi-block developments common in areas like Lower Parel or Bandra-Kurla Complex.[2] At 195 meters, it exceeds the height of nearby landmarks such as Antilia at 173 meters, achieving efficient floor space utilization on a constrained plot via high FSI leveraging, though specific FSI ratios remain tied to local redevelopment incentives rather than groundbreaking engineering feats.[13][22] The facade's high-performance glazing system further optimizes thermal efficiency in Mumbai's humid climate, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling by facilitating passive solar control without compromising the expansive glazing ratio essential for sea-facing orientations.[15][2]Interior and Material Specifications
Lodha Altamount's simplex residences, configured as 3- to 5-bedroom homes spanning 1,782 to 4,122 square feet, emphasize privacy through full-floor ownership, with each unit designed as a standalone simplex without shared internal corridors.[29] These layouts incorporate bare-shell interiors, allowing buyers to customize finishes, layouts, and fixtures to personal specifications, including options for bespoke furniture and spatial modifications.[32] [34] Key interior features include expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides, utilizing UV-resistant, double-glazed, and tinted glass panels that enhance natural light while providing panoramic views and thermal efficiency.[1] [35] High-end material standards feature premium flooring and wall treatments suitable for luxury customization, with structural elements supporting durable, low-maintenance surfaces.[36] Integrated smart home technologies enable automation of lighting, climate control, and security systems, aligning with modern luxury benchmarks for seamless resident interaction.[36] The building complies with Indian seismic standards, incorporating earthquake-resistant design via reinforced concrete framing and formwork techniques that enhance structural integrity against seismic activity in Mumbai's zone III classification.[37] No variances from national building codes, such as those under the National Building Code of India 2016 for high-rises, have been documented in project approvals or completions.[38]Residential Offerings and Amenities
Apartment Configurations
Lodha Altamount comprises 52 residences, each designed as a full-floor unit to maximize privacy and spatial autonomy.[21] Configurations primarily consist of 3, 4, and 5 bedroom (BHK) apartments, with layouts optimized for efficient use of space in a high-density urban setting.[3] A single studio apartment variant exists, emphasizing open-plan fluidity to suit compact yet luxurious living.[39]| Configuration | Size (sq. ft.) |
|---|---|
| 3 BHK | 1,782 |
| 4 BHK | 2,385 - 2,454 |
| 5 BHK | 3,629 - 4,122 |
| Studio | Not specified |