Ashish Malpani on Redefining India’s Urban Landscape

After joining the family business in 2003, Ashish Malpani moved from consumer goods to spearheading the company’s real estate arm. The transition began in Pune, where he oversaw the establishment of a factory, eventually pivoting to land acquisition and commercial development. Today, the group manages 650,000 square meters of leasable commercial space, with ambitions to expand its footprint significantly in the coming years.

Sustainability remains the core of this expansion. The company has invested in wind and solar farms across eight Indian states, generating nearly 700 megawatts of electricity annually. These power assets feed into the group's properties, ensuring that tenants operate on green energy. The commitment extends to reforestation efforts, including a goal to plant one million trees in Pune using the Miyawaki method to restore degraded urban land.

Malpani’s design philosophy prioritizes environmental responsibility, with all new projects achieving Platinum ratings from the Indian Green Building Council. By utilizing materials like exposed concrete to reduce carbon footprints and engineering facades for optimal natural lighting, the firm aims to minimize energy consumption. While navigating rising labor costs and regulatory hurdles, Malpani maintains that developers hold a civic duty to improve urban livability. By integrating advanced security features and sourcing high-quality materials manufactured locally—such as Schüco windows and Toto tiles—the group seeks to set a standard for modern, responsible construction in India.