Chennai Homebuyers Opting for Larger Apartments: Say Goodbye to Compact Units

A paradigm shift in the realty landscape of Chennai – a rising tendency among homebuyers towards taking bigger apartments at the cost of traditional two-bedroom units. A new breed of IT professional like K. Gopinath, 30, can testify to that. Despite being a family of three, he recently purchased a 3.5-bedroom apartment in Porur for ₹85 lakh. “I work on Anna Salai and could have chosen a smaller home in the core city. But here, I get more space and a better lifestyle. I even use the extra room for fitness classes and virtual meetings,” he shared.

This preference for larger homes is reflected in the data. According to Anarock, average apartment sizes in Chennai have risen by 31% since 2019 and have increased from 1,100 sq. ft. to 1,445 sq. ft. as of 2024. The trend gained momentum last year with a 15% jump in average unit sizes.

Industry experts attribute this change to evolving post-pandemic lifestyles. Homebuyers now demand more space as they embrace hybrid work models and wellness-focused living, and have more space to accommodate a workstation, exercise, and entertainment. “Inside the city, two-bedroom apartments are already losing appeal. In rapidly developing areas like Manapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Porur, and Kundrathur, demand for three and four-bedroom units is surging,” said P. Kruthivas, an executive committee member of CREDAI.

Apart from lifestyle needs, rising aspirations and improved affordability are driving this trend. Buyers are willing to invest in spacious homes to enhance their living standards. The move away from cramped spaces represents a broader shift in preferences, as modern homebuyers prioritize comfort and functionality over proximity to the city center.

With Chennai’s growing inclination toward larger apartments, developers are aligning their projects to cater to this demand. This evolution underscores a transformative phase in the city’s real estate market, setting the tone for a future where spacious homes become the new norm.