The Land and Development Office (L&DO), under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, initiated eviction proceedings against Ford Foundation last year after its lease for 55, Lodhi Estate expired. The foundation moved out around five months ago and is now at Level 8, DLF Centre, Sansad Marg, New Delhi. The Directorate of Estates has allotted space at 55, Lodhi Estate to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and another government agency. The Union Cabinet approved the creation of the IBCA in 2024 to establish a global network for conserving tigers and other big cats. The IBCA is currently operating from the first floor at Shanti Niketan, New Delhi.

The Ford Foundation vacated its long-standing office at 55, Lodhi Estate, where it had operated since the 1960s. The move followed the Centre’s initiation of eviction proceedings after the lease expired.

The Ford Foundation vacated its 55, Lodhi Estate premises in February 2026 after its lease ended. The Land and Development Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs began eviction proceedings in 2025; officials said the foundation left voluntarily. It changed its listed address in March to Level 8, DLF Centre, Sansad Marg.

On September 7, the Directorate of Estates allotted the former office’s ground and first floors to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched both initiatives in 2023. IBCA operates from a house in Shanti Niketan, while the Global Biofuels Alliance is based at Sanrakshan Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place.

The Lodhi Estate complex, designed by Joseph Stein, also houses the United Nations and its agencies, which continue to occupy parts of it. The Ford Foundation opened its New Delhi office in 1952 at the Indian government’s invitation and had been based at Lodhi Estate since the 1960s.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, originally built for the 1982 Asian Games and refurbished for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, may be demolished and redeveloped into a modern sports city modelled after Qatar's Aspire Zone and Australian facilities.

The 102-acre complex will be transformed into a state-of-the-art hub featuring world-class training and event infrastructure. Only 28% of the land is currently used; the new facility will be multipurpose, accommodating sports clubs, residential facilities, and entertainment venues.

Real estate impact varies by area:

• Ultra-premium zones like Golf Links (bungalows sell for over ₹100 crore) unlikely to see major price changes; the project will sustain their ultra-premium status
• Jor Bagh, Defence Colony, and Jangpura (mostly redeveloped apartments) may attract high-value tenants and see rental value increases due to enhanced wellness and sports amenities
• Gen Z affluent buyers in redeveloped flats may be drawn to new sports facilities; marginal valuation upticks possible due to demand-supply mismatch
• Modern apartments in Jor Bagh sell for around ₹25 crore

Property prices in premium neighbourhoods typically rise with new infrastructure like flyovers and improved connectivity. India is bidding to host 2036 Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.