Shrinking balconies in Bengaluru: Open spaces becoming a luxury

In Bengaluru, balconies in apartments are shrinking or vanishing, now seen as costly luxury features, adding premiums and reserved for high-end projects

Balconies, once considered a standard feature in Indian homes, are steadily disappearing from mid-segment apartments in Bengaluru. As land prices rise and developers prioritize efficiency, open spaces are being reduced, turning balconies into premium lifestyle elements rather than everyday utility features.

In Bengaluru, the decline is evident in both the number and size of balconies offered in new projects. Real estate brokers note that layouts which earlier included two spacious balconies are now limited to one, often attached to the master bedroom. Average sizes have shrunk from 12x6 feet to around 11x4 feet, reducing usable space by nearly 10 per cent. This shift reflects broader changes in urban housing design, where maximizing saleable area has become the priority.

Cost pressures are a major driver. Apartments with balconies in Bengaluru command a significant premium, often adding 10–15 per cent to the overall price. In Grade A projects on the city’s outskirts, homes with two balconies can cost close to ₹3 crore, while those with a single balcony typically start at ₹2 crore. Within city centres, where land parcels are smaller and regulations tighter, balconies are frequently excluded altogether.

The transformation also highlights changing perceptions of urban living. Balconies, once used for storage or utility purposes, are now marketed as lifestyle extensions. Developers increasingly position them as aspirational features, reserved for high-end projects where buyers are willing to pay extra for private outdoor space. For middle-income buyers, however, shrinking balconies add to the frustration of rising property costs and reduced carpet area.

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The issue ties into the larger debate around super built-up versus carpet area. Many buyers discover that a significant portion of their purchase price accounts for walls, common areas, and balconies, leaving them with far less usable space than advertised. With loading factors ranging from 15 to 45 per cent, the real cost per square foot is substantially higher than headline figures suggest.

Going forward, Bengaluru’s housing market is likely to see balconies positioned firmly as luxury offerings. As developers adapt to land constraints and changing regulations, open spaces within apartments will remain limited, reinforcing the trend of balconies as exclusive lifestyle features rather than everyday essentials.

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