Luxury has a new address: Living it up in Pune
From luxe living to high-end recreation and the best global brands, a look at Pune's cool luxury market.
Tee off in style
Oxford Golf and Country Club
While golf may no longer be the exclusive sport of the elite, a trip to the Oxford Golf and Country club is an experience in luxury. Be it a game of golf, squash or a leisurely holiday in the chalets, the sprawling expanse makes for a luxurious getaway. On weekends, the club bustles with activity-professional and amateur golfers, sports enthusiasts coming in for a game of squash or snooker and families lounging by the poolside. The hour-long drive from the city centre to Bavdhan makes it a popular getaway even for Pune's sizeable expat population.
The views of the lush green Sahyadri mountains are picturesque and make the game a pleasurable experience. TEE-OFF Oxford has a complete package for golfers. The 18-hole championship golf course has a night lit driving range, for those who want to hone their skills, they have a 42 bay golf academy that offers swing analysis, K-Vest swing check, Sam Putt Lab and regular clinics for juniors, corporates and beginners. The interiors are conceptualised by Les Harbottle, a noted South African interior designer.FLYING HIGH The drive is comfortable and picturesque but you can even fly into Oxford; they offer chopper services for those who don't want to take the road, especially if you're coming in from Mumbai. PRICE Memberships start at Rs 6 lakhs AT Bavdhan, oxfordgolfandcountryclub.com
The hands of time
CT Pundole and Sons
From the British Raj elite to the brand savvy generation of today, the House of Pundole has seen trends in luxury watches evolve over the past century. The 107 year-old brand, now helmed by the fi fth generation of the fam-ily, is where Pune goes shopping for its Rado, Longines, Hublot and Omegas. The century-old journey of this lux-ury multi-brand watch store is a legend in the city-it started out as a small store in the erstwhile quiet Camp area and CT Pundole and Sons was famously appointed as the fi rst Authorised Service Centre by HMT for the repair of electronic watches. Today, the world's best watch brands, from Tag Heure to Raymond Weil, are all here at this horologist. They've recently added French luxury watch company Bell and Ross, Swiss-made Chopard and Breitling to their collection.
TIME CHECK The sprawling store stocks 62 watch brands with varieties for people across ages and price tags. But it's the high end watch brands that people come here for. When some luxury Swiss brands like Rolex, Omega and Raymond Weil, launched their exclusive platinum and full gold watches, CT Pundole brought them in. "Luxury is yet evolving in Pune. In the past few years people have become very conscious about the brands they use," says Aviva Pundole, 25, the fi fth generation businesswoman of the House of Pundole. ACCESSORISE RIGHT While the right watch completes the look and adds style, the store also stocks a few accessories such as elegant pens and leather belts by Mont Blanc for the brand conscious customer. TREND WATCH Aviva says that while watch brand favourites differ, the latest trend is big dials for men and women. AT 266 M.G. Road, Camp
Living it up!
Luxury Homes by Panchshil Realty
If you want to live the highlife-plush homes by internationally acclaimed designers, state-of-the-art furniture and fittings, London cabs, concierge services and celebrities for neighbours-Panchshil Realty is helping the high heeled live this dream. The group's two high-end housing ventures-YooPune and Trump Towers-are all about luxury living and are changing the city's skyline. "We bring in everything that spells luxury," says Sagar Chordia, director, Panchshil Realty who brought the two brands to Pune. So, he's organised an exhibition by noted jeweller Nirav Modi, who is also a resident, and now plans to arrange an event with Rolls Royce. YOOPUNE Impressed by the sight of Yoo buildings during his international trips, Chordia brought the Yoo brand, a joint venture by John Hitchcox and Phillipe Starck, to his hometown with YooPune.
The architecture and design is contemporary and the six tower project is thoughtfully built in the shape of a horseshoe to accommodate the 100 year-old rainforest reserve that stands right in the centre. The ample green spaces and an underground spa by French brand L'Occitane give the project the feel of a charming luxury retreat. The homes, that cost upwards of Rs 10 crore, come with high-end common amenities such as wine and cigar rooms, private cinema, game rooms and even an art gallery. TRUMP TOWERS Each one of the 46 full-floor plush homes overlooks the magnificent Aga Khan Palace and the thickly wooded green space in front of it. The first Trump project in India, the two towers are sleek with a modern design. The interiors of the 6100 sq feet apartments are lush and styled by globally-renowned Matteo Nunziati and are fitted with the latest home technology. Contact trumptowerspune.com
Urban chic
Kenneth Cole
Designer threads and high street brands have wowed Pune's well travelled, fashion aware shoppers for the past few years now. So, with American, urban-inspired fashion brand Kenneth Cole making an entry, the city's style conscious have yet another destination for luxury shopping. Known for its signature clean and utilitarian aesthetic, the brand's current Spring 2016 collection in apparel and accessories has an impressive collection for both, men and women.
SMART STYLE Aimed at outdoor stylish dressing, the Uniform is all about mesh, neoprene, perforation, translucent fabrics, and neutral leathers with raw edges, utilitarian details, clean pockets, laser-cut details and edge painting on accessories. FEMALE FASHION Kenneth Cole is known for its accessories and the Pune store collection does justice to that. The footwear range and handbags collections are extensive and sleek. Pair your dresses with their stylish heels or embellished sandals in an earthy colour palette or go for their easy slides and slip-on sneakers that instantly jazz up an evening casual look. Check out the handbags to accessorise your outfit; the sleek pouches and drawstring bags come in soft leather. PRICE Womenswear starts at Rs 6,000 AT Phoenix market city, Nagar Road.