This complex is not a replica of ‘Noddy Goes To Toyland’. But it is most certainly the first option of its kind for young working couples who want their children to live in a safe environment. So says the builder of what is possibly India’s first child-centric housing complex.

For some years now, Indian marketeers have seen little children directly determine what products and brands their parents buy. Either that, or parents purchase what suits their kids best. Now Western India’s well-known construction company, Gera Developments, has announced a unique child-friendly project named Emerald City. Located in Baner, Pune, the 2 lakh sq.ft. built-up area project is the first of its kind which is tailored to suit children’s needs in terms of safety, convenience, development and even entertainment. The name Emerald City is derived from a reference in the famous children’s book ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Gera Developments has interests in commercial buildings, residential apartments and condominiums and has also developed entire townships in Pune. Rohit Gera, director, Operations, says, “Like all other products, the field of construction is slowly undergoing specialisation. We have seen a number of senior citizens’ townships come up in Mumbai along the lines of those in Florida. The next step, we thought, was to develop housing colonies exclusively to cater to young working couples with children. Also, the profile of home-owners is changing. With the easy availability of home loans, younger couples are buying their own places.”

The initial phase of Emerald City will consist of 160 apartments spread over two towers. Safety features especially created for kids include rounded corners, low level elevator door sensors, tall railings, anti-skid matt flooring in the children’s bathroom and also child-safe door locks. These locks can be opened from the outside. There are safety gates at the staircases in addition to fire-proof wiring and child-proof switches. The elevators will not have collapsible grill shutters either.

Outdoors, there will be a specific no-vehicle zone and separate playgrounds for toddlers and for older children. A fish pond, a telescope on the terrace, roller skating and play areas for cricket with a viewing gallery have also been provided. Gera informs that there will be a music room complete with various musical instruments and an amphitheatre to allow the children to perform before an audience.

A host of basic conveniences which are absent in most homes have been thought of here. There are low level wash basins in every home and a connecting door to the children’s room from the parents’ room which can be a big help. Gurukul or study areas for tuitions have been set up within the complex, and the builders have even provided locations to organise birthday parties!

However, given its profile, Emerald City is not a home for a lifetime. “We have found that unlike earlier times, today’s consumer does not buy a home for life,” says Gera. “He aspires to move into a bigger house, or maybe a smaller place in an upmarket location, after about 10 or 15 years. Also, children will grow up and then maybe the family will not require our child-centric facilities. But until that happens, they are assured of the best care for their little ones.”

Mr Gera confirms that cost of construction went up by 9% given the extra features and the fact that they covered a two-acre area with a concrete RCC slab to ensure parking safety. So the total investment touched about Rs 20 crore.

The 2BHK flats in Emerald City have an area of 1200 sq.ft. and cost about Rs lakh. “We are not charging a premium for the extra facilities being offered, but we are selling much faster than we anticipated. So that itself is a premium for us,” Gera says. Most buyers are working couples with young children, though there is the odd case of a newly married couple also going in for these flats. “These are people who plan to have a child, and by the time our project is ready in the next 18 months, they could require a flat tailored to suit children.”

Interestingly, Emerald City has not been modelled on any project in the West. “We benchmark ourselves against the best we do, and also offer a warranty like no other construction company does,” says Gera. No concrete plans exist to replicate such child-friendly homes in other cities, but the developer is sure other players will follow the trend. After all, they built the first intelligent building in Pune, and that was duplicated.