In HYDERABAD, the once-residential Jubilee Hills is seeing a growing trend of independent houses transforming into commercial establishments, with around 350 such businesses now operating in the area, excluding the designated commercial Roads No. 1, 10, 36, 45, and 92. These establishments, primarily upscale pubs, bars, cafes, and boutiques, are aimed at a higher-income clientele, with some offering unique combinations like a clothing store and café in the same space.
Several independent houses have been converted into specialty restaurants serving Japanese cuisine, alongside those offering Indian and Italian dishes. Residents cite reasons such as family members relocating, alongside concerns over congestion and traffic issues, as factors driving this shift.
The arrangement is mutually beneficial for both property owners and tenants. Commercial tenants typically pay higher rents, covering additional expenses such as taxes and utility bills, making it a profitable choice for homeowners turning their properties into commercial spaces.
“Residential buyers often prefer paying an EMI of `2 lakh rather than spending that amount on rent, but for commercial establishments, the rental costs are feasible,” shared a property owner. Meanwhile, some families have chosen to lease out their properties and relocate to quieter areas like Gandipet or Jalpally.
“I worked hard all my life, and now I want to live away from the congestion, surrounded by nature,” said one former Jubilee Hills resident who moved to a half-acre property in Gandipet five years ago.
Sangeeta Varma, a resident of Jubilee Hills Road No. 56, voiced her frustrations, calling the growing commercial establishments a nuisance. “I don’t know when the authorities will take action. Honking, traffic jams, illegal parking, noise pollution, and reckless driving are major concerns for many of us,” she said.
