Architect Foster signs $8m deal with Mumbai's Neptune

Norman Foster, the British architect that brought us the Gherkin and Wembley stadium, has signed up to design a commerical office complex in Mumbai.

Lord Foster has tied up with the Neptune group to develop a 17-acre office complex called Evolution, near the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). Neptune Group has reportedly paid Foster and Partner, Lord Foster’s firm $8 million for design alone.   

“A city that works as hard as Mumbai deserves the best working environment possible. We will deliver a world class facility so far unmatched in the regions’ office property market,” Lord Foster was quoted as saying in a statement. Evaluation will be a low-rise structure, spread over 2 million square feet, easily accessible from the airport, three railway stations, two metro stations and two highways, with facilities like food court and health club.

Neptune group managing director Nayan Bheda said, “In each of our projects, we have tried to create a balane between little details and the big picture. 

We also believe that every piece of land has its unique potential. Fortunately, Lord Foster shares our vision and has agreed to come on board to unleash the potential.”

Similarly, the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, Mahindra life spaces has teamed up with US based HOK, one of the leaders in the global architecture and planning segment to develop the residential and social amenities zone at the Mahindra World City in Chennai.

HOK, which has developed landmark buildings including the Dubai Marina (the world’s largest planned waterfront community with a mix of residential, retail, hotel office and recreational uses), is understood be worsting on other Mahindra projects as well sources said.

HOK planning Group VP Jeff Davis said that the key challenge was to envision a master plan that would translate the vision of the Mahindra team while ensuring that it blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Forrec the Canadian architectural firm, is a consultant to Unitech, DLF and Bombay Dyeing. Shapoorji Pallonji group has also teamed up with Craig Nealy for its joint venture projects in Pune.

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