DLF Camellias is considered a super-luxury residential project, and there are several reasons why it is so expensive:

Exclusivity and Luxury: The project is designed to be ultra-exclusive with restricted access and marketing. The apartments are large, starting at 7,400 square feet and closing at 16,000 square feet. The design is appealing, the landscaping is good, and the views are exquisite.

The clubhouse project team was led by Shawn Sullivan, Partner and Studio Leader at the Rockwell Group of New York City for the architectural and interior design; with Arnold Chan of Isometrix Lighting + Design of London for the lighting design; Jay Wright, CEO of The Wright Fit for the fitness centre; Ingo Schweder, founder of GOCO Hospitality for the spa design; and Gerdo Aquino, Co-CEO, SWA Group, the landscape architecture firm. This team worked in close conjunction with the principal architect of The Camellias, Hafeez Contractor.

Location: DLF Camellias is located on the Golf Course Road in Sector 42, Gurugram, Haryana, which is one of the prime locations in the city. Situated a few minutes from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, these homes will perfectly complement your demanding lifestyle if you happen to be a frequent traveler. DLF is renowned for its mastery over the luxury housing segment and Camellias is one of their best masterpieces.

Amenities: The plans for the amenities and common spaces are ambitious. It has state-of-the-art facilities.

Endorsements: The project has been endorsed by India’s most famous architect, Hafeez Contractor.

Price Appreciation: Launched in 2014 at ₹22,000 per sq ft, it now sells at 90,000 per sq ft4.

Infrastructure: It is set within a private bubble, a city within a city that has a strong sustainable plan and infrastructure — from uninterrupted roads and underpasses, a sewage plant, and a fire station. The Camellias, which DLF has proudly announced is India’s first residential project to be accredited with the LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council, has many sustainability and energy conservation efforts. This included transplanting over 100 fully mature trees which were being felled in other parts of the city. They are now thriving in their new home. The sewage treatment plant produces water that is clean enough for a range of farming activities, including horticulture. The gardens and green areas are solely irrigated by treated water.

Apart from the above key pointers as mentioned above, here are some other notable factors that makes camelias hotspot for startup tycoons,

DLF Camellias offers a myriad of luxury amenities for the residents to indulge in. It also has a carefully created assortment of world-class facilities that perfectly sync with a luxury lifestyle.

• The proximity to DLF Golf Club (one of the best Golf Clubs in the country) is a key feature of DLF Camellias.
• The sports bar, Snooker/pool/Billiards room will open excellent avenues for an enriching social life.
• The spa, sauna, and salon facilities will let you have the much-needed retreat and relaxation right inside your residences.
• The state of the art gymnasium has all the equipment for your fitness needs.
• There is an outdoor sports area with provisions for racquet games like tennis squash, table tennis, and badminton.
• The creche/ daycare facilities will be a blessing for working parents with toddlers and little kids,
• Concierge, valet, housekeeping, a chef on call and golf cart shuttle will really simplify your life in Camellias
• Be it private and close-knit family events or high profile business parties, the indoor and outdoor dining facilities, party hall and the grand banquet hall have room for all.

It’s a project that several people have advised me to visit over the last two years. Here’s the thing, though—most people who asked me to pay a visit had not been there themselves. That’s because the project is designed to be ultra-exclusive with restricted access and marketing.

The buildings gave a sleek impression. The plans for the amenities and common spaces were ambitious. Yet, perhaps due to the high expectations, I returned without feeling dazzled.

The amenities and open spaces are designed to stun even the most elite of the customers. It will certainly intimidate a mid-segment buyer. I have no idea about the actual mandate given by DLF to the New York-based architecture and design firm Rockwell Group but my guess would be DLF telling Rockwell “money is no object and I want to dazzle the world. Show me how”.

The basics like the temperature-controlled pool are covered. Then comes the spectrum of food offerings, the restaurant design, the bowling alley, hair salon, conference rooms, gym and boxing ring—all are meant for you to sit up and notice.

Even something as mundane as the cutlery or door handles is designed for a second look and feel. Hospitality is everywhere—from the British-styled pub to the luxury retail outlets.

I was told that the luxury retail outlets will change periodically but when I visited, the 135-year-old glassmaker Lalique was open, offering products ranging from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20 lakh. The company has no other outlet in India. I suspect barring a helipad, there is no super luxury that’s been missed out in this project.

Is this the peak of luxury in India? It’s risky to label any project or moment as the “peak” in today’s fast-changing world. But I don’t see any developer in the medium-term with the courage, capital and vision to make a parallel project.

Oberoi 360 West at Mumbai is an awaited luxury champion by several commentators. I hope to be proven wrong when it is completed but due to the inherent limitations of the market, a Mumbai project just cannot match up.

In the end, DLF has pulled off a remarkable feat with Camellias. Hafeez Contractor will perhaps never want to leave his quaint Parsi Colony in Mumbai but Camellias may just be the project that will eventually seduce him. It will be a worthy choice.