A few years ago, the idea of living in a forested estate, surrounded by fresh air and green views, was considered a privilege reserved for holidays. Today, for a growing number of affluent Indians, that dream is becoming a very real way of life.
We are seeing a powerful shift away from cities entirely toward balance, toward homes that offer both sophistication and stillness. High-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra-HNIs are increasingly choosing spaces that bring them closer to nature, not just on weekends but every day. This is not a passing trend. It’s a conscious decision about how and where people want to live.
What’s driving the shift?
There’s no single trigger behind this change. Instead, it’s a blend of evolving values, flexible work, and a desire to live better. Remote work has opened up lifestyle possibilities that were unthinkable a decade ago. Many professionals no longer need to live within 10 minutes of a business district. With stable connectivity and strong infrastructure in many Tier-2 and fringe locations, it’s now viable to work from homes nestled in nature.
Wellness is another driving force. Clean air, silence, and green surroundings have gone from luxuries to essentials. We now understand that our environment plays a major role in our physical and mental health. And when you can choose to live in a place that supports both, why wouldn’t you? Then there’s the redefinition of luxury itself. For many HNIs, true luxury is no longer found in just a location or a high-end interior. It’s in the experience of space, of calm, of connection to something larger than four walls.
A market that’s catching up
This isn’t just anecdotal. The numbers support it. Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2024 noted a 25% increase in second home purchases by ultra-HNIs, with a growing preference for locations that offer open space, natural landscapes, and a slower pace of life. Meanwhile, a recent India Sotheby’s report found that over 60% of its clients now place “nature proximity” among the top three priorities when selecting a residential property.
These homes aren’t just for the occasional weekend anymore. A lot of people are actually living in them, staying for weeks at a time, sometimes longer. Some are working from there; some have kids attending school online. And many want a quieter place to spend more of their day-to-day life.
Closer look: How developers are responding
For a long time, being close to nature meant getting a weekend place outside the city. But today’s luxury buyers want that connection every day, not just once in a while. And developers are listening. Builders like Marvel Realtors are designing homes where nature isn’t something you drive to—it’s something you live with. Across their premium projects, you’ll find open-plan layouts that let sunlight flood every room, smart cross-ventilation to keep air fresh, and double-height terraces that invite the outdoors inside. Landscaped courtyards, rooftop gardens, wide green corridors, and shaded walking paths are no longer luxuries—they’re part of the blueprint.
The shift is clear: larger balconies are sized for real outdoor living. Natural light and air aren’t afterthoughts; they’re planned into how the spaces breathe. Even building orientation is fine-tuned so homes work with the sun, the seasons, and the air movement, not against them. It’s a response not just to lifestyle aspirations, but to a deeper change in priorities. In cities that are getting faster, louder, and more crowded, true luxury is about slowing down, opening up, and feeling rooted—even if you’re five minutes from a business district. Developers are creating ecosystems where living feels lighter, healthier, and closer to the world outside.
From retreat to routine
The clearest sign that this isn’t a temporary trend is the way these homes are being used. Buyers aren’t just booking occasional stays; they’re living there, working there, sending their children to school from there, and hosting friends for extended weekends that casually blend into weekdays. This is everyday living with the feel of a weekend. And for many, that blend is the new definition of balance.
What it all adds up to
What we’re seeing isn’t just a passing interest; it’s a real change in how people want to live. The idea of home is expanding. It’s not just about where you sleep or work, it’s about how the space makes you feel every day.
Because of this transformation, people now seek different features in their homes. They no longer focus solely on spacious rooms and beautiful views because they seek emotional connections with their living space. People seek breathing room, quiet areas, and their own personal green space. The true challenge for home builders who operate in our field involves listening to these needs to develop spaces that enhance daily life equilibrium.
(The author, Vishwajeet Jhavar, is the MD and CEO of Marvel Realtors.)
