Ahmedabad's cityscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by visionary developers like Taral Shah, the Managing Director of Shivalik Group. The company, renowned for its distinctive architectural designs, is not only redefining the urban skyline but also strategically diversifying its portfolio far beyond traditional real estate boundaries.
GIFT City: Crafting Landmarks of Luxury
At the forefront of Shivalik's growth is its ambitious footprint in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, or GIFT City. This emerging global financial hub, home to India's sole International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has become a focal point for the group. Shivalik has already cemented its presence here with two commercial developments and one residential project.
Taral Shah emphasizes that the group's strategy for GIFT City is built on unparalleled design and international quality standards. "We conceive each project not just as a building, but as a landmark—a definitive statement in design and functionality," he states. The commitment to this vision is set to scale new heights with the imminent launch of Shivalik's second residential tower within GIFT City.
This upcoming ultra-luxury project promises exclusivity, featuring a limited number of expansive apartments. Mr. Shah reveals, "This will be the largest apartment development in Ahmedabad and GIFT City in terms of unit size. It is an invitation-only project, meticulously crafted for a select clientele."
Strategic Diversification: From Furniture to Farmland
While its real estate prowess continues to soar, Shivalik Group is simultaneously forging new paths under Mr. Shah's leadership. A major new vertical is the foray into the furniture manufacturing business. The company has established a production facility that currently serves both domestic and international markets and is now poised to capture a niche in the hospitality furniture segment.
"Global hotel chains are demonstrating strong confidence in India's growth, yet there is a noticeable gap in specialised furniture suppliers for this sector. We identified a clear opportunity," explains Shah. To accelerate this move, Shivalik is expanding its team and has formed a joint venture with an experienced company that has delivered projects for over 100 hotels.
In preparation for the formal launch of this vertical, expected before March 2026, the group is setting up an immersive experience centre at its Sanand manufacturing unit. This centre will feature full-scale mock-ups of complete hotel rooms for clients to preview.
Retail Growth and Sustainable Living Initiatives
The diversification extends into retail as well. Shivalik's homegrown furniture brand, Lofy, is on an expansion spree. After successful stores in Ahmedabad, a third outlet is opening soon in the city, with plans to launch in Surat and Vadodara by March. Additionally, the group holds the Gujarat franchise for Stanley Furniture, with stores already operational in Ahmedabad and Surat, and Vadodara slated to be next.
Perhaps the most innovative expansion is into plotted developments with a twist. The group recently launched Shivalik Farmland at Sachana, near Sanand. This project reimagines sustainable urban living. "It is conceived as a modern interpretation of traditional farm life. It will allow city dwellers to grow their own food and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle," Mr. Shah elaborates.
From iconic towers in India's premier financial district to crafting furniture for international hotels and promoting agro-centric living, Taral Shah's vision for the Shivalik Group is firmly rooted in creating multifaceted, lasting value that transcends conventional brick and mortar.
