Chennai showcases 56% YoY growth in commercial transaction; residential segment clocks 10% YoY growth in Q1 2025: Knight Frank India
Chennai, April 03, 2025: Knight Frank India in its latest report, India Real Estate: Office and Residential (January – March 2025) Q1 2025 highlighted robust growth in Chennai’s commercial and residential real estate markets. In Q1 2025, Chennai’s commercial real estate sector recorded transactions totalling 1.8 million square feet (mn sq ft), marking an impressive 56% year-on-year (YoY) growth. The city also witnessed the completion of 0.2 mn sq ft of new office space during the quarter. Average transacted rents in the commercial segment increased by 3% YoY, reaching INR 69.2 per sq ft per month, reflecting a steady rise in occupier demand.
Chennai Office Market Summary (Q1 2025)
| Office Transactions (mn sq ft) | Completions(mn sq ft) | ||
| Chennai | 1.8 | 0.2 |
Source: Knight Frank Research
End-User Categories
Global Capability Centres (GCCs) remained the key demand drivers in Chennai’s office market, accounting for 0.9 mn sq ft of transactions. Flex spaces followed closely, recording 0.54 mn sq ft of leasing activity, signalling a growing preference for agile and cost-efficient workspaces.
| End-Use category | GCC | Flex | Third Party IT | India-Facing Business | Total |
| Area transacted in mn sq ft | 0.9 | 0.54 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| % Share | 47% | 29% | 16% | 8% |
Source: Knight Frank Research
Residential Market Update: January – March 2025
The city’s residential market recorded 10% YoY growth in sales, with 4,357 units sold in Q1 2025. New launches also saw an uptick, with 4,576 units introduced, reflecting 5% YoY growth. The average weighted residential price increased by 7% YoY, reaching INR 4,854 per sq ft, underscoring rising demand and healthy market sentiment.
Chennai Residential Market Summary – Q1 2025
| Sales | Launches | |
| Chennai | 4,357 | 4,576 |
Source: Knight Frank Research
The segment with ticket size of INR 5-10mn dominated the residential real estate market of Chennai in Q1 2025 with 1,907 units sold, recording 5% YoY growth.
Ticket-Size Split of Sales
| Ticket Size Categories | <5 mn | 5-10 mn | 10-20mn | 20-50 mn | 50-100 mn | 100-200 mn | Total |
| Q1 2025 | 969 | 1,907 | 1032 | 367 | 67 | 15 | 4,357 |
| YoY % change | -12% | 5% | 54% | 18% | 88% | 142% |
Source: Knight Frank Research
Srinivas Anikipatti, Executive Director, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, said, “Chennai’s real estate market has demonstrated steady momentum in Q1 2025, setting a positive tone for the rest of the year. The commercial sector’s strong leasing activity, particularly from GCCs and flex space operators, reflects the city’s growing appeal as a strategic business hub. On the residential front, stable demand and rising property values indicate a resilient market supported by infrastructure development and an expanding economic base. This sustained growth across asset classes reinforces investor confidence in Chennai’s long-term real estate potential.”