Move over, Jodi Apartments: Duplex and Triplex Homes are the Most Popular Trend in Mumbai
Vertically oriented ‘villas in the sky,’ rather than traditional ‘Jodi units,’ are the new standard in Mumbai, particularly among luxury homebuyers aiming to upgrade to larger properties.
Advertisements and Trends
Advertisements are now promoting ‘the lavish lifestyle with cost-effective duplex flats in Mumbai’ or ‘a beautifully designed 4 BHK duplex apartment with a private terrace for sale in Bandra.’ Vertical living, rather than horizontal expansion, is gaining traction. Mumbai residents are enthusiastically embracing luxurious vertical homes.
Jodi Apartments, Balconies, and Duplex Housing Units
While Jodi apartments and balcony trends gained popularity earlier, duplex and triplex homes are currently in high demand. Jodi apartments combine two or more housing units into one, offering more space and privacy for large families. Now, buyers willing to pay a premium prefer duplex or triplex apartments.
Suraj Estate Developers Projects
Suraj Estate Developers is selling the 42-story Ocean Star Tower in Prabhadevi.
Rahul Thomas, Wholetime Director of Suraj Estate Developers, said:
“We are now offering separate floors for the 50-story project ‘Suraj The Palette’ in Dadar (W). However, we can always change the plan if there is a high demand for duplex units on our upper floors.”
Their projects, including Ocean Star, Tranquil Bay, and Mangrish, offer duplex apartments ranging in size from 2600 to 5000 square feet.
“The trend among Mumbai buyers to own duplex and triplex apartments reflects a shift in their tastes. Most high-net-worth individuals value spacious living over price,” Rahul Thomas told HT Digital.
Sky Bungalows with Double-Height Living Spaces
“We have identified an inclination towards duplex apartments, with individuals desiring ‘sky bungalows’ that feature double height living spaces with a ceiling height of 24 feet in the living room—a feature typically only in villas,” he adds.
High-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in Mumbai consider upgrading their lifestyle to duplex and triplex apartments. These homes are seen as investments and lifestyle statements. Prices range between Rs 12.5 crore and Rs 100 crore.
Redevelopment Projects Meeting the Demand for Duplex and Triplex Units
Ritiesh Mehta, Senior Director and Head (North and West) of residential services and developer initiative at JLL India, notes that the trend for duplexes and triplexes is becoming more prevalent as redevelopment activity increases in Mumbai.
“Many of these redevelopment plots are small land parcels, and there is little room to turn a 1000 sq ft apartment into a 3000 sq ft one horizontally. Rather than Jodi apartments, demand has shifted to vertical units with greater height and larger floor plans,” he said.
“Prices for sea-facing duplex and triplex luxury housing units typically range between 10% and 15% higher,” he added.
Changing Design Preferences
Architects observe that Mumbaikars’ design preferences have evolved since the pandemic. Buyers now prefer vertically distributed housing units over horizontally distributed ones, seeking more floor height.
Architect Hardik Pandit, director of APICES Studio Pvt Ltd, notes:
“Even if you combine two apartments into one Jodi, the ceiling height remains constant. People want more volume in terms of height; they want double height homes with more space and high ceilings, which may not be possible on a single floor.”
The number of duplex and triplex units in a building depends on its number of stories and location. “We initially plan for two to three of these units in a building, but we may decide to increase the number on the upper floors based on demand.”
These units are typically found on the higher floors of sea-facing buildings and command a premium in terms of price.
Will the Duplex Replace the Jodi Apartment Concept?
“The demand for ‘Jodi apartments’ will continue because it is age-related. If a family consists of young children, they may prefer a duplex or triplex for that bungalow experience within an apartment; however, if the buyers are elderly, they may want a large ‘Jodi apartment’,” Hardik Pandit notes.
Duplex and triplex apartments are usually only available in certain areas. “If you have quite a few of these units, sales may slow down due to their high cost.” Additionally, these units thrive in specific environments, particularly sea-facing buildings. “Many of these units have design features like viewing decks and terraces,” he says.