Roti, kapda, makaan, just aren’t what they used to be. In a country of 83,000 millionaires poised to become the second largest economy in the world after China by 2050, it’s nothing less than chateaus in the French Riviera, villas in Capri and holiday homes in London. The ideal climate for Savills, one of UK’s leading property advisors, to open for business in India.

On April 24, it will hold an exclusive showing of homes in London and around the world at the Hilton Towers for a select audience of 100-CEOs of banks like ICICI and HSBC and head honchos of telecom and pharmaceutical companies.

For the right price, the properties on display will pretty much sell themselves. Apartments at 1 Hyde Park overlook the greens from one window and Harrods from the other. Sheikh Hamad, the foreign minister of Qatar, recently picked up a penthouse at this address for 100 million pounds.

The Four Seasons Oceans Residences on the other hand offer a seaside view, from the deck of a 42,500 ton ship, anchored at the world’s most alluring ports with a price tag ranging between 2.8 million euros and 30 million euros. And a pad at Wembley houses you at the doorstep of the world famous stadium.

“We’re 150 years old and have been dealing in high-end residential homes. We’re very exclusive, our properties only start at about half million pounds,” says Chantel Halai, head of the company’s India desk.

The new crop of super capitalists is the target audience. “India’s economy has prospered like never before and most international companies tend to have a base in London. It’s no surprise that we want to be in India, especially Mumbai and Delhi because that’s where the money is,” adds Halai.

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