Nitesh Wimbledon Gardens

By: Nitesh Estates in Kakkanad

Nitesh Wimbledon Gardens in Kakkanad, Kochi is one of South India's largest urban mixed used development covering 2 million square feet of homes, retail, office and service apartments. Located strategically on the Airport-Seaport Road, this project comprises 9, 00,000 sq. ft. of superbly planned residential area, in this rapidly developing IT hub. Designed to suit the discerning taste of the global citizen, the residential segment of Wimbledon Gardens will provide an ambience of international standards. Facilities like a concierge service, well equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, outdoor play area, unisex beauty salon, club house, day care centre, conference and community halls, express elevators and ample parking space, are all aimed to make life all that more comfortable. Mind- soothing water bodies blend into well laid-out landscaping to give the property a truly world class condominium feel.

Kakkanad is a region in the city of Kochi, and is the administrative headquarters of the district of Ernakulam. It has seen considerable development due to its proximity to Kochi.

The Cochin Special Economic Zone (CZEZ) is based in this region. It is a multi-product economic zone with a large diversity in industrial activity. It is the third-largest Special Economic Zone in the country and the second-largest IT industrial park in Kerala. This has helped in the development of the region by improving the road works and other local services like hospitals, ATMs, and shopping areas. Kerala’s largest waterpark is also located here.

Kakkanad is also the broadcasting hub of Kochi, with many television and radio stations having their offices, studios, and broadcasting centres here.

Connectivity and Transit Points

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses and private buses are available throughout Kakkanad. The major bus stop in the region is the Kakkanad bus terminal, from where one can get buses to both local stops in Kakkanad and major towns in Kerala.

Major roads passing through Kakkanad are the State Highway 41 (SH-41) and the Seaport Airport Road. SH-41 connects Kakkanad to major towns like Pattimattom, Muvattupuzha, Mannakad, Thodupuzha, Vagamon, and Thekkady. The Seaport Airport road is a four-lane, 30-km highway connecting the Cochin Seaport to the Cochin International Airport, to be completed in three phases. The first phase was completed in 2013 and the second phase is scheduled to be completed in 2016. The highway passes through the Cochin Special Economic Zone and connects HMT, FACT, Kochi Refineries, and many oil terminals around Irumpanam. It also is a main cargo route between the air and sea ports at Kochi.

Ernakulam Junction Railway Station is the main railway station near Kakkanad. It is a major transit point in Kerala, and connects the region to places all around, including Shornur, Alappuzha, Willington, and Kottayam. Apart from local trains, many trains travelling to regions outside Kerala stop here.

Cochin International Airport is located 24 km away from Kakkanad centre. Flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata make a stop here. Flights to the Middle East and other parts of Asia are also available.

Major Landmarks

•      Kakkanad Junction
•      Wonderla Water Theme Park
•      Cochin Special Economic Zone
•      HMT Machine shop
•      Goldy's Art Gallery

Factors for Growth in the Past

Thanks to the IT boom in Kerala, Kakkanad has seen rapid changes over the years. Many international firms have been setting up offices here. The Smart City project has also influenced the development of the region to a large extent.

Because of the gradual urbanisation seen in this region, many builders and construction companies have launched projects here. Plot prices have risen over the years, and to accommodate the region’s growth, many new schools, hospitals, and shopping centres have emerged.

The junction between SH-41 and Seaport Airport Road is in the Kakkanad centre. It is a major transport route from the sea and air ports in Kerala.

Residential & Commercial Market

Residential Market Trends

Apartments are the dominant property type in the region, constituting a little over 70% of the real estate property in Kakkanad. The property price in the third quarter of 2013 was Rs 3, 600 per sq. ft. cost for individual houses. Residential plots cost around Rs 1,560 per sq. ft. and residential houses around Rs 4,200 per sq. ft. Multi-storey apartments sell at Rs 3,800 per sq. ft.

Commercial Market Trends

Commercial space rent varies between Rs 20-60 per sq. ft. and it is found throughout the Kakkanad region.

Major Challenges

The region receives heavy traffic in the form of cargo trucks because of its proximity to the Seaport-Airport road, which passes through the Kakkanad junction. This has also reduced the air quality considerably.

Water shortages also have been a major issue over the past few years, with certain regions having acute scarcity of water during the summer months.

Factors for Growth in the Future

Being the IT/ITeS hub in Kerala, the city has a high demand for housing. Real estate prices have doubled over the years, and is expected to climb higher with the completion of the Seaport-Airport Road.

The Infopark and Cochin Special Economic Zone (CZEZ) combined enclose 150+ IT companies. The demand for both housing as well as office space is set to stay high.

DLF Ltd, Infra Builders, Ebony Estates, Nitish Estates, Confident Group, ABAD Builders, and Trinity Builders and Developers have both completed and ongoing projects in Kakkanad.