Savills India CEO Anurag Mathur on Sustainable Luxury and Smart Design

Style today extends to how we live. In real estate, sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are increasingly influencing what defines luxury. Anurag Mathur, CEO of international property consulting firm Savills India, advises developers and investors on building spaces that balance design with durability and environmental responsibility. In conversation with Robb Report India, he reflects on how spaces are being recalibrated through intention and efficiency, guided by informed choices.

Robb Report India (RR): How has sustainability reshaped India’s commercial and residential real estate over the past decade? 

Anurag Mathur (AM): Sustainability in India has shifted from compliance to competitive advantage. In commercial real estate, ESG is now directly linked to asset performance. Institutional occupiers, particularly global firms, are aligning real estate decisions with net-zero commitments, reshaping demand.

Grade A office spaces are expected to deliver measurable outcomes such as lower energy intensity, water neutrality, and stronger indoor environmental quality. Green-certified buildings consistently show higher occupancy and rental resilience. Design has evolved alongside this shift, with daylight optimisation and biophilic integration now integral to workplace planning. 

In residential real estate, the change has been more behavioural. Post-pandemic homeowners prioritise air quality, green access, and long-term efficiency. 

RR: What defines an ESG-conscious project, and how do you ensure it doesn’t compromise on design?

AM: It is a considered expression of indulgence, with spaces crafted with care and every element serving both purpose and principle. 

This manifests in a preference for timelessness over trend and authenticity over display. Materials that age gracefully, visible craftsmanship, and contextual grounding define this approach. It is an invisible luxury, experienced in the quality of living rather than overt spectacle.

RR: What excites you most about where luxury and sustainability are heading? 

AM: The most compelling shift is from sustainability as constraint to catalyst. Developers are using ESG to differentiate and create future ready assets, with sustainability informing everything from façade engineering to landscape design.

Luxury today is evaluated not only on aesthetics or location, but on long-term performance, including operational efficiency, climate resilience, and occupant well-being. 

At Savills India, this convergence increasingly informs advisory conversations with developers and investors seeking to create spaces that are both high-performing and intuitive.