In 2000, when multinational corporations first began eyeing Gurugram as a viable alternative to Delhi’s congested business districts, the sectors far off from Indira Gandhi International Airport or the national capital’s borders found hardly any takers. However, 25 years hence, the city’s growth is altogether at a different tangent. Not only it has emerged as India’s foremost global hub but its name frequently figures not just as the country’s foremost cities but also compared with the best in the world like Dubai and Singapore.
The numbers don’t lie—but they tell half the story
Let’s start with what’s quantifiable. According to Cushman & Wakefield, Gurugram accounted for 52% of Delhi-NCR’s retail leasing in Q1 2025, with rents at Galleria Market (Rs. 1,250/sq ft) now rivalling Delhi’s iconic Khan Market. Compared to the figures posted by other parts of NCR, the graph is rising steeply. Even developments like the construction of the Noida International Airport at Jewar, Yamuna Expressway, etc. have hardly made any dent. Undoubtedly the city offers immense potential for commercial development.
Retailers are betting big on visibility and foot traffic near residential hubs, with 61% of leasing concentrated in high streets. But Gurugram’s appeal extends beyond retail. The city accounts for 40% of NCR’s Grade-A office stock, hosting Fortune 500 giants like Google, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola. This clustering of global firms creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem, attracting talent, ancillary businesses, and premium developments.
Connectivity: more than just roads and runways
Ask any CFO why they chose Gurugram, and “location” tops their list. But this isn’t just about the 20-minute dash to IGI Airport or the upcoming road link to the Noida Airport link. It’s about how the city’s infrastructure has kept pace with its demands. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway’s Sohna-Firozpur Jhirka segment is a game changer connecting Rajasthan’s industrial zones and Gujarat’s ports.
The inauguration of the Gurugram portion of the Dwarka Expressway, the upcoming city’s metro network, and the government’s proactive policies such as transit-oriented-development (TOD) have on the one hand opened vast land parcels for real estate development, it has also aided end-users to get homes at different price points while ensuring high return on investments. While residences are just one part of the equation, the commercial segment encompassing retail, office and leisure offering incredible value for money is another significant half.
The ROI revolution: why NRIs can’t look away
With India’s commercial real estate market ballooning toward $106 billion by 2029(per Mordor Intelligence), Gurugram has emerged central to the portfolio of institutional investors. Real estate sector experts believe that the city’s prime retail spaces have the potential to deliver 9-12% annual returns. Moreover, with strategically located high-streets and shop-cum-office spaces without the baggage of large malls at the forefront of commercial development, the returns are providing a safe portfolio to high and savvy investors, HNI’s and NRIs to park their money.
In Gurugram commercial realty isn’t just an asset class; it’s a hedge against inflation and market volatility. Properties in corridors like Dwarka Expressway and Sohna Road have appreciated upwards of 10% annually, with high-streets and SCOs gaining traction for their hybrid utility.