Mumbai leads real estate equity investment in India with $6.9 billion inflow

Mumbai has emerged as the leader in real estate equity investment, attracting $6.9 billion, representing 26% of total investments between 2022-24, according to a CII-CBRE study.
The total real estate equity investments reached $26.6 billion across six major Indian cities. Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru collectively secured $16.5 billion, constituting 62% of total investments during this period.
The prominent position of these gateway cities resulted from their concentration of quality projects, advanced infrastructure, available skilled workforce, strong demand across segments, and an increasingly organised real estate sector.
In tier-I cities, development sites and land assets secured 44% of total equity investments between 2022-24, with the office sector following at 32%. Tier-II cities attracted $3 billion, representing 10% of total investments, according to an ET report.
Site developments dominated tier-II city investments with 47% share, whilst industrial and logistics sectors claimed approximately 25% of tier-II capital inflows.
The economic growth in tier-II cities, supported by industrial development, increased consumption, and infrastructure expansion, has established them as viable investment destinations.
The report indicates institutional investors contributed 33% of real estate investments between 2022-24, whilst developers accounted for 46%.
Investors are increasingly adopting opportunistic approaches, including joint ventures and development agreements, due to limited core market opportunities.
Whilst institutional capital prioritises completed office assets and residential sites, domestic developers maintain their focus on land and office sector investments.
Land and development sites remain the primary investment choice, with residential projects accounting for 61% of such investments between 2022-24.
The office sector anticipates stable investment in 2025, with domestic funds actively participating. Foreign institutional office investments saw a fourfold increase in 2024 despite global caution.
The logistics and warehousing sectors maintain positive momentum, supported by industrial integration and IPO possibilities. The retail sector shows promise for 2025, particularly for specialised investors.
"India's real estate sector is rapidly institutionalising, creating a more transparent, risk-mitigated environment that aligns with global investor expectations. Enhanced due diligence frameworks, sustainable development mandates, and stronger compliance protocols are becoming the norm. With 1 in 5 investors prioritising green buildings, ESG-led investment strategies are no longer optional—they are central to long-term value creation," said Rishi Kumar Bagla, Chairman, CII Western Region and CMD, BG Electricals and Electronics.
"India's real estate sector is entering a new phase of growth, powered by robust capital inflows and a significant pool of dry powder ready for deployment. The strong investor sentiment, especially in residential and office assets, is underpinned by sound fundamentals and steady end-user demand. As seller-buyer expectations continue to align post-market corrections, we foresee a conducive environment for high-quality investments across both core and value-add strategies in 2025," said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO - India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE.
The sector's increasing institutionalisation is creating a transparent, robust market meeting global standards. Enhanced transparency and reduced risks are improving credibility and global competitiveness. The momentum is directing capital towards large-scale developments and diverse investment models.