A decade ago, Gurugram was seen purely as a corporate enclave. Known for its proximity to Delhi yet firmly a part of Haryana, it has since transformed into a self-contained city with its own distinct identity. But step into Gurugram today, and it would feel like the city has found its rhythm, a seamless combination of business ambition and cosmopolitan flair.
The corporate glass facades still gleam, but parallely, a new pulse has taken over. Cafe terraces buzz with conversations, boutique storefronts have become social hotspots, and high streets stay alive long after office hours end.
This evolution marks Gurugram’s shift from a business hub into a global lifestyle destination that appeals to corporates, talent, developers, and investors alike.
Growth momentum
Leading global developers such as CapitaLand, Hines, Tishman Speyer, Tata Realty & Infrastructure, Oberoi, Prestige, Godrej, Mahindra, and Birla have all joined this growth momentum. At the centre of this transformation is a powerful wave of retail-led development, where high-street retail, F&B zones, and experiential spaces are being thoughtfully integrated into mixed-use environments. Developers are creating urban ecosystems where professionals can work, shop, dine and unwind, all within the same environment. The result is a city that doesn’t just host global enterprises but entertains, engages and inspires the people who drive them. Recent data shows that Gurugram accounted for 68% of total retail leasing in Delhi NCR during Q3 2025, highlighting its dominance in the high-street and mall leasing arena. This retail upliftment happens in diverse formats. Premium international fashion brands now share addresses with Fortune 500 companies. Artisanal coffee roasters operate steps away from fintech startups, and five-star restaurants welcome diners who moments earlier were closing billion-dollar deals.
The value proposition
Mixed-use developments that incorporate vibrant retail components consistently demonstrate enhanced property values and higher rental yields compared to conventional office-only projects. The logic is straightforward: when employees can access premium shopping, diverse dining options, and lifestyle services without leaving their work, companies are willing to pay a premium for this convenience.
These benefits extend beyond the balance sheet, too. Employee retention and satisfaction receive a substantial boost when workplaces offer lifestyle appeal. A software engineer who can grab lunch at a trendy bistro, shop for essentials at a gourmet store, or meet friends at a rooftop bar — all within a five-minute walk from their desk — is an employee who associates their workplace with quality of life.
Gurugram’s ascent as a preferred destination for Global Capability Centres (GCC) has been remarkable. From technology giants to financial services powerhouses, the world’s most valuable companies have established substantial operations in the city.
Other factors
While factors such as talent availability, cost efficiency, and government policy play roles, its global appeal and lifestyle quotient now serve as defining differentiators.
When international executives visit Gurugram to evaluate potential GCC locations, they are not just inspecting the office infrastructure. They’re experiencing the retail landscape, sampling the F&B offerings, and evaluating whether the environment will help them attract and retain top talent. Increasingly, the answer is yes.
The city offers end-to-end environments where global brands can establish a complete presence. Not just back-office operations but also customer experience centres, innovation labs and regional headquarters. Perhaps the most profound impact of retail integration is cultural. Traditional office parks, for all their efficiency, often felt like functional spaces designed purely for productivity. The new Gurugram introduces an element that was missing earlier: human-scale vibrancy.
Lunch breaks transform from hurried cafeteria affairs to leisurely explorations of pan-Asian fusion restaurants or farm-to-table eateries. Post-work hours become opportunities for retail therapy, fitness classes at premium gyms, or catching up with colleagues at wine bars with carefully curated selections. Weekend mornings see families browsing bookstores and artisan markets in the same complexes where parents work during the week.
Alongside, developers also transform these spaces into vibrant community hubs during festivities and special occasions. Pet-friendly events and open-air cinema have become particularly popular, establishing an emotional connect between people and places.
This blurring of boundaries, between work and leisure, professional and personal, reflects broader shifts in how millennials and Gen Z professionals approach their lives. They seek integration, not compartmentalisation. Grade-A developers who understand this psychology are reaping the rewards.
Urban excellence
The making of a world-class Gurugram is a testament to visionary urban planning, strategic commercial real estate development, and an understanding that modern cities must serve the full spectrum of human wants. By embedding retail and vibrant F&B experiences within mixed-use developments, the city has transcended its origins as a corporate satellite to become a globally admired, aspirational lifestyle capital.
Overall, the glamour, the growth, and the increasingly global character of Gurugram are steadily shaping its place among the world’s most dynamic urban destinations. A city that works hard, plays harder, and lives vibrantly.
The writer is CEO & MD at Tata Realty & Infra Ltd.
Published – November 14, 2025 03:49 pm IST
