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The historic bungalow at 17 Motilal Nehru Marg in New Delhi is close to being sold for around ₹1,100 crore. It may be one of the most India’s most expensive residential property deals. This landmark property is remembered as the first official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, before he shifted to Teen Murti Bhavan.
According to reports, the property is being purchased by a prominent businessman from the domestic beverage industry. Once completed, the transaction will mark one of the largest luxury real estate deals in Indian history.
Based on this, a leading law firm has issued a public notice as the final step in the process of due diligence. Here’s what the notice said - "Our client is desirous of acquiring residential property situated at Plot No. 5, Block No. 14, 17, Motilal Nehru Marg (formerly York Road), New Delhi - admeasuring 14,973.383 sq m - and for the same, we are investigating the title of the current owners of the said property, Raj Kumari Kackar and Bina Rani. Any person claiming any right or title with respect to the said property may inform us in writing with documentary proof within 7 days, failing which it shall be presumed that no adverse title or right of any nature whatsoever exists in respect of the said property." A source said, "Given its prime location, VIP status and huge area, it is among the most sought-after assets, but due to the pricing, only a few billionaires can buy it. The due diligence was going on for a year and is believed to have reached its conclusion."
The current owners, Raj Kumari Kackar and Bina Rani, descend from a former royal family of Rajasthan. Initially, they quoted a price of ₹1,400 crore, but the deal has reportedly settled at ₹1,100 crore after prolonged negotiations.
A top law firm representing the buyer issued a public notice confirming that due diligence is nearing completion. The notice specified the property Plot No. 5, Block No. 14, 17 Motilal Nehru Marg, spread across 14,973.383 sq m (3.7 acres) and invited anyone with claims over ownership to raise them within seven days.
The bungalow carries rare historical value. Built during the colonial era, it is part of the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone (LBZ), a 28 sq km stretch planned by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1912 and 1930. This area was originally designed to house British officials and now serves as the most exclusive residential enclave in India.
The bungalow is not only vast with nearly 24,000 sq ft of built-up area but also sits on one of Delhi’s widest tree-lined avenues. Its architecture follows the Lutyens’ Delhi style, characterized by sprawling lawns, high ceilings, grand porches, and symmetrical layouts, all intended to reflect authority and permanence.
As Nehru’s first official residence, this house witnessed the early years of India’s independence, making it a site of political and cultural importance.
The LBZ is home to ministers, judges, senior bureaucrats, diplomats, and a handful of India’s billionaires. Out of nearly 3,000 bungalows in the zone, only about 600 are privately owned, which makes them rare and highly sought after.
One property consultant described the deal: “Given its VIP location, heritage, and sheer scale, only a handful of billionaires can even consider acquiring such an asset.” The due diligence for this sale has been ongoing for nearly a year and is now close to completion.
If finalized, the ₹1,100 crore sale will surpass previous high-value real estate deals in India. For instance:
In 2023, Gautam Adani’s family purchased a bungalow on Prithviraj Road in Delhi for about ₹400 crore — far below this current valuation.
In Mumbai, Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic sea-facing mansion, is valued at around ₹200–250 crore, a fraction of this deal.
Even Antilia, Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story skyscraper home in Mumbai, though far more expensive to build (reportedly costing over $2 billion), was constructed rather than acquired on the open market.
This Motilal Nehru Marg bungalow, therefore, sets a new benchmark for residential property prices in India, especially since it combines exclusivity, heritage, and historical symbolism in a single package.
The record-breaking deal underlines the rising appetite for ultra-premium properties in India’s capital. Experts say Lutyens’ Zone homes are more than real estate—they represent status, legacy, and access to power corridors.
Whenever such a property enters the market, it is fiercely contested by India’s wealthiest families. With the transaction expected to conclude within weeks, 17 Motilal Nehru Marg will once again make history not only as Nehru’s first residence but also as India’s costliest private home.
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