India’s luxury homebuilders are upping the ante, transforming clubhouses into the new symbols of exclusivity. From mood-lit lounges, coworking spaces, and pet spas to concierge-run hospitality hubs, developers like DLF, Lodha, Oberoi, Prestige, and TARC are reimagining what premium living means.

Once an afterthought, clubhouses have evolved into the heart of luxury communities, with design collaborations from global firms such as UHA London and Rockwell Group—and budgets soaring up to ₹1,000 crore. The result: residences that sell not just space, but a lifestyle rivaling five-star resorts, according to a report by The Economic Times.

Luxury home builders in India are now offering new attractions and experiences for the rich. Clubhouses with mood lighting, coworking lounges, and pet spas have become the trend; gyms and swimming pools are passé.

In the country’s top luxury housing markets of Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurgaon, developers such as DLF, Oberoi, Lodha, Hiranandani, Prestige and Sobha are offering clubhouses that resemble boutique hotels, alongside the gyms and swimming pools–all to justify the price tags.

“Well-designed clubhouses complemented with some of the best hospitality professionals running them has become core of our projects,” said Aakash Ohri, joint managing director at DLF Home Developers Ltd. “These are social and cultural hubs.”

And to work on the blueprints for their suburban condo clubs, developers are even roping in global design firms such as UHA London, SWA Group, Rockwell Group and Aedas Singapore–all known for luxury hotels and urban landmarks, including Museum of Broadway and outdoor landscaping of Burj Khalifa.

“We have partnered with globally acclaimed firms to ensure design excellence,” said Amar Sarin, CEO and managing director of TARC Ltd., which is developing high-end projects in Delhi and Gurgaon. “Our collaboration with leading concierge partners and hospitality experts brings a level of service and exclusivity so that the club becomes the soul of every development.”

What accounted for 3–4% of project costs before the pandemic is now as much as 15%, according to market estimates. That’s roughly Rs 200 crore to Rs 1,000 crore just for the plush clubhouse. But the added construction cost has pushed up the perceived value of the property, according to experts.

“For buyers, the clubhouse has become the hallmark of the community,” said Praveer Shrivastava, senior executive vice president, residential, Prestige Group, which is expanding across the national capital region (NCR), Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

According to Sachin Arora, founder of real estate consultancy firm Moneytree, a project can command up to 50% premium in the same micro-market if the club is grand. For instance, a project on Gurgaon’s Dwarka Expressway has been launched at 50% higher rate than the others in the same region, as the builder is known for its grand club and hospitality,” he said.

Clubs are increasingly becoming the go-to place for discussions on fundraising and high-level meetings. It doubles as a second office for the residents, especially after the pandemic blurred office and home working timings.

Developers are responding with facilities that match five-star infrastructure–AV-enabled multipurpose halls, a five-pool aquatic complex with cabanas, and poolside juice bars.

Developers in Mumbai, facing space constraints, are increasingly prioritising club amenities even if they need to shift bigger facilities to projects on the city’s outskirts.

“Today’s buyer is seeking luxury beyond home. It is about an immersive lifestyle experience,” said Amarjit Bakshi, chairman and managing director, Central Park.

Central Park even plans to manage its clubs through its hospitality arm, and, in some projects, open memberships to non-residents, too.