Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has announced that its iconic brand Taj has been recognised as the World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand in Brand Finance UK's 'Hotels 50 2026' report. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Taj has received the prestigious recognition from the global brand valuation consultancy.

Sharing his thoughts on the achievement, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “For over a century, Taj has been the embodiment of Indian hospitality for the world. The dual honour of being India's Strongest Brand and the World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand, reflects the strength of Taj's legacy and its continued relevance to travellers across generations and geographies.”

He added, “This recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our 50,000+ associates, who continue to serve with the values that have shaped our identity.”

According to the Brand Finance 'Hotels 50 2026' report, Taj secured a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.5 out of 100 along with an AAA+ brand strength rating. The report also noted that the brand's value increased by 32% to USD878 million, helping Taj retain its position as the World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand.

Brand Finance highlighted that as luxury travellers increasingly look for authentic and experience-led stays, Taj continues to stand out through its unique combination of Indian heritage, personalised hospitality, and timeless luxury. The report also recognised the brand's ability to deliver meaningful guest experiences while preserving its cultural identity on the global hospitality stage.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. David Haigh, Chairman & CEO, Brand Finance, said, “Taj’s continued recognition as the world’s strongest luxury hotel brand is a remarkable achievement. With an exceptional Brand Strength Index score of 93.5, Taj demonstrates how a brand can build global stature while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural identity. Its distinctive blend of Indian heritage, timeless luxury and personalised hospitality continues to create powerful guest affinity and sets an important benchmark for the global luxury hospitality industry.”

Today, Taj has a portfolio of 150 hotels across 14 countries, spanning grand palaces, city hotels, beach and spa resorts, wildlife safaris, and serviced residences, further strengthening its position as one of the world's leading luxury hospitality brands.

Gulshan Group, one of North India's leading real estate developers, has announced the launch of Gulshan Empire, a premium residential project at Wave City. The company will invest approximately ₹1,000 crore in the development, which is expected to generate sales realisation of over ₹1,200 crore.

Spread across 5.5 acres (22,505 sq. m.), the single-phase project will feature 500 residential units, further strengthening the developer's presence in the NCR housing market. The project has been designed to meet the growing demand for premium homes that combine quality, comfort and long-term value.

While Gulshan Group is known for its luxury developments, Gulshan Empire has been positioned as a premium residential offering for homebuyers looking for the brand's signature construction quality, thoughtful design and reliability at a more accessible price point. The project has been primarily planned for end users, with a focus on spacious homes, integrated communities and sustainable value.

Commenting on the launch, Deepak Kapoor, Director, Gulshan Group, said:

"The residential market continues to witness strong demand from discerning homebuyers who value quality, thoughtful planning, and long-term value creation. Gulshan Empire reflects our commitment to developing communities that respond to these evolving aspirations while maintaining the construction standards and design philosophy that define the Gulshan brand. Our investment of ₹1,000 crore also underscores our long-term confidence in Wave City as an emerging residential destination supported by improving infrastructure and sustained end-user demand."

The development will be completed in a single phase, with delivery scheduled in line with the RERA timeline of 2031. The project will be financed through a combination of internal accruals, financial institutions and customer sales proceeds.

In the first phase, the company has launched around 9 lakh sq. ft. of residential space. Buyers can choose from 3 BHK residences with a helper room, starting at ₹2.20 crore, and 4 BHK residences with a helper room, starting at ₹3 crore. According to the company, the project has received an encouraging response since its launch, reflecting continued demand for premium homes in well-connected urban locations.

Speaking about the project, Yukti Nagpal, Director, Gulshan Group, said:

"Today's homebuyers are making more informed decisions, with equal emphasis on quality, design, location and the overall living experience. Gulshan Empire has been envisioned as a premium residential community that combines low-density planning, expansive green spaces, private garden residences and contemporary lifestyle amenities while staying true to Gulshan Group's legacy of delivering thoughtfully designed developments. We believe the project addresses the aspirations of families looking for homes that offer both everyday comfort and enduring value."

With Gulshan Empire, the company aims to strengthen its premium residential portfolio while addressing the evolving preferences of homebuyers seeking modern living spaces backed by quality construction and long-term value.

Curated Living Solutions (CLS), a DivyaSree Group company and one of India’s leading managed living platforms, has announced the launch of its first hospitality-led mixed-use development in Pune, marking its strategic entry into hospitality-focused real estate.

The ₹200 crore development will feature a 200-key hospitality project, premium retail spaces, and branded residences in the Koregaon Park Annexe corridor of East Pune. The project is being jointly developed by CLS and Arista Developers, a Pune-based real estate company, and will be professionally operated by Alivaa Hotels & Resorts under a long-term master lease arrangement.

The launch follows CLS’s expansion journey in Pune after the successful introduction of Codename EMI in Balewadi, further strengthening the company’s presence in the city’s evolving real estate ecosystem.

Located in Mundhwa, adjoining Koregaon Park, the development offers connectivity to key business and lifestyle hubs including Kharadi, Magarpatta City, Hadapsar, Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, EON IT Park, World Trade Center Pune, and Pune International Airport.

Designed to meet the growing demand from business travellers, consultants, expatriates, and long-stay corporate guests, the project combines hospitality, retail, and branded residences within a professionally managed mixed-use environment.

As part of the launch, CLS introduced its proprietary Hospitality Investment Plan (HIP), a structured investment model designed to make professionally managed hospitality assets more accessible to investors.

Under the HIP model, investors will own hospitality units while daily hotel operations, guest services, revenue management, maintenance, and brand operations will be managed by Alivaa Hotels & Resorts. The project follows a Build–Sell–Leaseback model supported by a 29-year master lease, including a 12-year lock-in period, allowing investors to participate in hospitality real estate without operational responsibilities.

The launch comes as East Pune continues to emerge as a major business and hospitality corridor, driven by the growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), IT services, consulting firms, and extended-stay business demand. The Koregaon Park–Kharadi–Magarpatta–Hadapsar region has become one of Pune’s key hospitality markets, creating demand for professionally managed accommodation solutions.

Commenting on the launch, Jai Kishan Challa, Founder & CEO, Curated Living Solutions Pvt. Ltd., said "CLS has always focused on identifying emerging real estate opportunities driven by changing consumer behaviour and market demand. Hospitality is now evolving into one of the most promising real estate asset classes in India. With this project, we are entering the hospitality sector through a professionally managed mixed-use development that combines hospitality, retail and branded residences within a single ecosystem."

He added, "Through the Hospitality Investment Plan (HIP), we aim to enable investors to participate in professionally managed hospitality assets without the complexities of operating them. We believe this model aligns with the evolving expectations of today’s investors, who increasingly seek professionally managed, income-generating real estate opportunities."

Speaking on the partnership, Vijay Advani, Director, Arista Developers, said, "East Pune has transformed into one of India's most vibrant commercial corridors, creating sustained demand for high-quality hospitality infrastructure. Our partnership with CLS brings together strong local development expertise and institutional project planning to deliver a landmark mixed-use development that responds to the changing needs of both investors and business travellers."

Vikramjit Singh, Founder & CMD, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, added, "Professionally managed hospitality assets are becoming increasingly important as guest expectations continue to evolve. Our role is to ensure operational excellence across every aspect of the development—from guest experience and occupancy generation to revenue optimisation and service delivery."

The development strengthens CLS’s managed living portfolio, which currently comprises more than 13,000 managed beds across student housing, co-living, industrial housing, and managed residential assets in cities including Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi.

With its first hospitality-led mixed-use development, CLS aims to create an institutional-quality hospitality ecosystem while introducing a new investment model for India’s growing hospitality real estate sector