MAM
Urbanrise unveils Gauri Khan-designed Whispers of Sky in Chennai
Luxury project spans 6.09 acres with 623 residences; celebrity-inspired living launches new campaign.
MUMBAI: Urbanrise just invited Chennai to live like a celebrity because when Gauri Khan designs your home, even the skyline starts posing for the ‘gram. Aditya Birla Group-backed Urbanrise has launched its latest luxury residential project, Whispers of Sky, in Sholinganallur, Chennai, with interiors and design vision led by celebrated designer Gauri Khan. The development, spanning approximately 6.09 acres, comprises 623 premium residences, including 3 BHK units and an exclusive 4 BHK tower featuring corner homes with no shared walls and expansive layouts for enhanced privacy.
To mark the unveiling, Urbanrise released a two-film campaign titled “Welcome to the Celebrity Life”, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon. The series showcases Gauri Khan in her dual avatars: as a meticulous designer immersed in materiality and spatial composition, and as a celebrity icon embodying glamour and elevated living. The narrative bridges design excellence with aspirational lifestyle, positioning Whispers of Sky as a landmark address that brings celebrity-inspired living to the city.
The project introduces several standout amenities, including one of Chennai’s first dedicated Pickleball academies, a sport popular among global celebrities alongside a lavish clubhouse with a sky pool, salon, fitness studio and private mini theatre. Every element is curated to reflect privileges, privacy and prestige.
Urbanrise, chairman & managing director Manoj Namburu said, “Customer delight is the benchmark we hold ourselves to. By partnering with the best in design and execution, we ensure our customers are proud owners of homes that exceed expectations. Our collaboration with Gauri Khan Designs matches our organisation’s ethos, and I am confident that the discerning customers of Chennai will love this creation.”
Gauri Khan commented, “The design vision for Whispers of Sky focused on refinement and timeless appeal. The campaign captures that through its detailing and visual treatment.”
The campaign is now live across digital and social platforms. In a city racing toward new skylines, Urbanrise isn’t just building homes, it’s crafting addresses where every resident feels like the star of their own story, one elegantly designed corner at a time.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
