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In recent times, a unique trend has emerged in Mumbai real estate: celebrities and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are increasingly investing in homes for their domestic staff. This practice not only ensures the well-being of loyal household employees but also reflects a strategic approach to property investment. From suburban apartments to premium city flats, Mumbai’s luxury and mid-market housing segments are witnessing a subtle yet significant shift.
High-profile examples include Anjali Tendulkar, who recently purchased a flat in Virar for a household staff member, and Gauri Khan, who leased a luxury apartment in Pali Hill for her staff. Such actions highlight a growing emphasis on employee welfare, operational convenience, and long-term asset management within Mumbai’s real estate ecosystem.
Anjali Tendulkar’s Staff Apartment Purchase
Anjali Tendulkar, wife of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, recently made headlines for purchasing a ₹32 lakh apartment in Virar for a member of her household staff. The flat, located in Peninsula Heights, spans 391 sq ft on the third floor, and the transaction was officially registered on May 30, 2025.
The purchase involved a stamp duty of ₹1.92 lakh and registration fees of ₹30,000, with Anjali availing a 1% concession applicable to women homeowners in Maharashtra. This transaction demonstrates how suburban Mumbai real estate is being leveraged by HNIs to provide secure and convenient housing for their staff, ensuring loyalty and operational stability within households.
Also Read: Kartik Aaryan Makes His First Land Investment, Acquires 2,000 sq ft Plot in Alibaug for ₹2 Crore
Gauri Khan’s Staff Housing Lease
Bollywood designer Gauri Khan also exemplifies this trend. During renovations at her iconic Mannat bungalow in Pali Hill, she leased a 2BHK apartment in nearby Khar West for her domestic staff. The lease, a leave and license agreement, spans three years from April 10, 2025, to April 9, 2028, at a monthly rent of ₹1.35 lakh.
The 725 sq ft apartment includes a hall, kitchen, two bedrooms, and two washrooms. Its close proximity to the family’s temporary residence ensures continuity in household operations while offering staff a comfortable living arrangement. Such practices underline the integration of employee welfare into high-end residential planning within Mumbai real estate.
Other HNIs Investing in Staff Housing
The trend extends beyond celebrities. Earlier this year, a leading pharmaceutical company owner purchased a 1,000 sq ft sea-facing apartment in Bandra for domestic staff at around ₹9 crore. The property’s primary function is to accommodate essential household staff like cooks and assistants near the family’s main residence.
Smaller-ticket homes, usually under ₹1 crore, are occasionally gifted to long-serving employees as a token of appreciation. However, developers note that some acquisitions are made purely for investment purposes, reflecting a dual approach: employee welfare and asset diversification.
Factors Driving This Trend in Mumbai Real Estate
Several factors contribute to this growing practice in Mumbai real estate:
- Employee welfare: Long-serving staff are rewarded with secure housing.
- Convenience: Staff housing close to the main residence improves household management.
- Investment strategy: HNIs use property ownership to diversify assets while ensuring staff retention.
- Rising property values: Suburban areas like Virar, and premium locales such as Bandra and Pali Hill, offer strategic opportunities for housing staff close to the workplace.
These factors make staff-targeted housing an appealing choice for luxury homeowners in Mumbai, combining practicality with financial prudence.
Implications for Mumbai’s Housing Market
The impact of this trend on Mumbai real estate is multi-faceted:
- Increased activity in mid-sized apartments (200–700 sq ft) in suburban areas.
- Greater demand in premium and mid-market rental segments due to proximity needs.
- Influence on policy and market trends, with developers paying attention to the niche of staff housing.
- Reflection of wealth distribution and lifestyle patterns among HNIs, which could shape future urban residential planning.
As a result, staff-focused acquisitions are subtly reshaping demand patterns and investment priorities in Mumbai’s residential market.
Also Read: Anil Kapoor and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor Purchase ₹5 Crore Apartment in Bandra
Expert Insights and Market Commentary
Developers and market analysts note that the trend of acquiring homes for staff is gaining traction across Mumbai real estate. While some purchases serve as investments, others are meant to reward loyal employees, combining financial prudence with social responsibility.
Experts suggest that the trend may encourage the development of smaller-scale luxury housing in accessible suburban areas. Quote-style summary: “Mumbai real estate is evolving, with luxury owners increasingly factoring in staff housing needs,” highlighting the growing awareness of holistic household planning among high-net-worth individuals.
Conclusion
The trend of celebrities and HNIs investing in homes for their staff represents a unique dimension of Mumbai real estate. Beyond ensuring staff welfare and operational convenience, it provides potential investment returns and enhances household management efficiency.
As employee housing becomes a strategic consideration, the market may see increased activity in mid-sized apartments and premium suburbs. This evolving practice reflects both changing lifestyles and the innovative ways high-net-worth individuals engage with Mumbai’s real estate landscape.
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Ans 1. Celebrities and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are investing in homes for their domestic staff to ensure their comfort, loyalty, and proximity to work. It also serves as a strategic real estate investment, helping maintain smooth household operations while diversifying property portfolios.
Ans 2. Anjali Tendulkar, wife of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, bought a ₹32 lakh flat in Virar for a staff member, while Gauri Khan leased a 2BHK apartment in Khar West during renovations at her Mannat bungalow in Pali Hill.
Ans 3. Most staff accommodations range between 300 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft, depending on the location and purpose. These include suburban apartments in areas like Virar, Andheri, or Goregaon, and premium flats in Bandra, Khar, or Pali Hill when proximity is essential.
Ans 4. Not entirely. While many purchases are made to reward long-serving staff, others double as smart real estate investments. HNIs often view these smaller properties as appreciating assets that also enhance household efficiency.
Ans 5. This growing practice is creating demand in the mid-sized apartment segment (200–700 sq ft) and boosting rental activity in suburban and premium locations. Developers are beginning to recognize the niche potential of staff-centric housing solutions.
Ans 6. Beyond social goodwill, these purchases can yield strong capital appreciation in suburban areas and steady rental income in premium zones. Additionally, women homeowners enjoy concessions on stamp duty in Maharashtra, as seen in Anjali Tendulkar’s case.
Ans 7. Yes. With rising property values and increasing emphasis on household efficiency, experts expect more HNIs and celebrities to include staff housing in their property portfolios especially in suburban and accessible city locations.