Mangalore: Pioneering Landmarks- The Allegro Group
Business Desk
Daijiworld Media Network - mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 14: The coastal city of Mangalore holds an eternal allure for investors from Mumbai, Bangalore and also for Mangaloreans who are settled in different parts of the globe. Despite settling abroad these non-resident immigrants want to have a home of their own in their native place. Real estate developers and builders in Mangalore have played a pivotal role in changing the landscape of the city in sync with changing times to cater to evolving need.
Allegro Ventures India Pvt Ltd., is a name that stands tall when it comes to builders and real estate developers who have made that difference to the landscape of Mangalore. Their distinctive architectural style and elegance have added value to their surroundings, with a stature as city landmarks. Conceptualizing, meticulous planning, detailing and analytical studies are the hallmark of their endeavors. This passionate vision has been evident in every one of their prestigious projects and ventures.
Allegro Ventures is promoted by the husband-wife duo, Dharmendra( better known as DB) and Giselle Mehta, former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers, who made a foray into the real estate field in 2001. With almost ten years in the bureaucratic set up, the duo had gained enough experience in varied fields that gave them the confidence to take up any challenge. Giselle’s late parents, JM and Louella Lobo Prabhu put up Mangalore’s first highrise apartment building, Lobo Prabhu Court, in 1975, which was also a matter of inspiration. DB Mehta, a qualified Chartered Accountant, was always inclined towards the financial markets, a passion which he pursued vigorously after they left the IRS. The couple’s entry into the real estate sector was a smart move in diversification, aimed at deriving the maximum advantage from the different momentum in business cycles.
The evolution from real estate investors to developers was swift and momentous. Within a year of entering the field, their first project “Acropolis” came up in the heart of the city, on Light House Hill Road. They entered the real estate market at a time when the economy was slow and real estate depressed. “People advised us not to start construction activity considering the downslide. However, we felt we could pioneer a new momentum based on our analysis of business cycles and a strong gut feeling ” they recall. Acropolis was done in partnership with Mohtisham to produce a trailblazer in architecture, design and style. With a lofty location on Light House Hill, its very name derived from its ancient Greek inspiration of “ A Dwelling on A Hill”, pronounces its prominence.
They opted to promote their second venture “ Maximus Commercial Complex” in the year 2004 under their own banner. People doubted the potential of an upmarket Commercial project in the midst of a sluggish market, but their intuition guided them on. “ The point was to create an eye catching, optimally constructed structure in a strategic location to facilitate high level corporate functioning. The starting point for its renown happened when the first Foreign Bank to enter Mangalore, ABN AMRO found it ideal for their international standards. A host of prominent names in finance, media and miscellaneous services followed, making 'Maximus' Mangalore’s premier commercial building. Its name, intended for maximal impact has been truly justified in the response it enjoys. Its futuristic aesthetics have been widely emulated, and we’re often pleasantly surprised to find 'Maximus' captured in publications, websites and TV footage as representing the changing face of Mangalore” says Giselle. The third completed project was Adelphia, a boutique apartment complex in Falnir, a masterpiece of exclusivity. Allegro Ventures is also one of the co-developers of the City Centre Mall in Mangalore, with its discernible impact on lifestyle evolution.
Allegro Ventures’s prestigious project “Aristaa Enclave” is going to be a pioneering project in Mangalore in terms of aesthetics and lifestyle offerings. It is coming up on 91 cents of land comprising ground plus 14 floors with 84 apartments ranging from 2 bedrooms to 5 bedrooms in the happening locality of Pandeshwar. “For the first time in Mangalore we are giving a common multi-purpose home theatre fully furnished and air conditioned with a large screen, projector and 7.1 channel with a complete sound proof room. This facility helps to give business presentations and enables e-learning for children and Community. Aristaa Enclave is going to be the first building in Mangalore where not even a single apartment wall will be exposed directly to sunlight or rain because of the dual wall concept which will be environment friendly by reducing the need for Air conditioning.
Other eco-friendly facilities provided at Aristaa Enclave are a solar water system, solar lighting system for common areas, abundant greenery around the building, rain water harvesting facility, no usage of heat inducing asbestos and usage of eco-friendly products to the extent possible. The Off- white colour of the edifice is also an eco-friendly choice as scientific research shows that white helps in reducing heat.
Allegro offers a limited period offer on first come first serve basis for those who book their apartments at Aristaa Enclave by not charging for the recreation area. Usually in an apartment a customer pays for the Super Built Up (SBU) area which includes the proportionate area consumed by common facilities area and the recreational areas to the plinth area of the apartment. As an initial offer, Allegro have decided to give a rebate equivalent to the proportionate recreational area in the SBU area. This is a first of its kind promotional offering provided in Mangalore to benefit customers.
“Allegro Ventures believes in doing limited projects at a point of time so that we can concentrate all our energies towards achieving an excellent product." says DB Mehta. He says their success is built on the three fundamentals- adhering to quality, timely possession and setting benchmarks of innovation and excellence. Giselle hastens to add “Each project of Allegro has its own distinctive character that sets it apart from the rest of the crowd”. Allegro Ventures is a member of CREDAI, which in itself speaks of its commitment to excellence and ethics.
“ Construction comes with some cost to the environment. We seek to do positive things to compensate and be sustainable,” Mr Mehta emphasizes. “ Our Renewable Energy projects in Karnataka and Maharashtra are a particular expression of this concern.”
The couple compliment each other in terms of functioning and work with mutual understanding, focusing on respective strong points. Aside from business, they believe that building up and sharing one’s reserves of knowledge and skills is a wide and ever evolving process of engagement. Their philanthropic activities are diverse. Among them is the daily feeding of one hundred children through the Akshaya Paatra Program, and the number of beneficiaries goes up every year.
Giselle has Masters’ degrees in International Relations and English Literature. Her public speaking engagements cover a wide gamut of subjects flowing from her versatile intellectual interests, insights and experiences. She is an ardent Animal Rights’ activist, committed at the local and national level. Presently, she is also associated with the initiative of her son “ Addressing Want And Wastage” – whereby usable discards that range from footwear to computers are redistributed to the needy, to encompass both Conservation and Compassion. An Associate of Trinity College, London in Speech and Drama, she writes and directs Children’s Theater. “Aesthetics should infuse one’s life to be carried forward elsewhere, especially in our structures and spaces. The design of our home, which we fully immersed ourselves in, is derived from 18th century European décor. Likewise the paintings on our office walls inspire a builders’ workspace with aesthetic messages, while supporting the often unrecognized gifts of local artists” she says.
D.B. Mehta also spares time to pursue his individual interests. On a weekend, you might find him on the golf course. He often shares his unique insights on Finance and Management through articles and lectures. He was the President of the Kanara Builder’s Association for three years. He also holds the prestigious position of Director, Inter-connected Stock Exchange of India Ltd.,( ISE) Mumbai. He serves as a member of various civic committees and initiatives aimed at the betterment of Mangalore. Though both their children, Nawal and Tamara are away in Boarding School, they are actively interested in their intellectual and personal development.
The name “ Aristaa” is indeed derived from the Greek word for 'Excellence'. It is the Promoter’s confident aspiration that this lofty edifice will tower as a landmark that dominates the landscape and skyline of Mangalore .
Email : allegroventures@gmail.com
Website : http://www.allegroventures-india.com/