Ekana Real Estate Blueprint: A Vision for Integrated Urban Growth
Lucknow: The Ekana Group, headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has emerged as one of northern India’s most dynamic real estate and infrastructure conglomerates. Over the past decade, the group has successfully bridged the gap between public infrastructure and private investment through its landmark ventures, particularly the 137-acre Ekana Sportz City. Its ongoing expansion, encompassing luxury hospitality, residential complexes, commercial towers, education, and healthcare, reflects a long-term vision of transforming Lucknow into a model Tier-2 metropolis.
Central to this next phase of growth is the group’s announcement of a prestigious JW Marriott hotel project—an ambitious mixed-use development covering 40 lakh square feet of built-up area. Alongside this hospitality landmark, Ekana is advancing a Residential FSI project, a commercial complex of equal scale, and an international-standard school. With these upcoming developments, Ekana is positioning itself as an anchor for Lucknow’s next-generation real estate and lifestyle evolution.
Origins and Foundation: Building a PPP Success Story
Founded in 2014, Ekana Sportz City Private Limited was incorporated as a public-private partnership (PPP) venture with the Uttar Pradesh government and the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). Promoted by Uday Sinha and supported by partners including NCC Ltd. and GC Construction & Development Industries Pvt. Ltd., the company was envisioned as a long-term catalyst for infrastructure-led urban transformation.
The group’s philosophy rests on engineering-driven construction, sustainability, and customer-centric design—three pillars that have become synonymous with its corporate identity. Its early success with the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium established its credibility as a capable and visionary developer capable of executing projects of international standard under tight timelines.
The Ekana Group’s evolution since its inception represents a textbook case of successful PPP execution. It demonstrates how private enterprise, when aligned with public goals, can deliver measurable value in urban expansion, job creation, and civic development.
Ekana Sportz City: The Foundation of a Legacy
At the heart of the group’s portfolio lies Ekana Sportz City, a 137-acre integrated township located along the southern banks of the Gomti River in Gomti Nagar Extension. The project allocates 71 acres to world-class sports facilities and 66 acres to real estate, lifestyle, and community development.
The township was conceptualized as India’s first sports-inspired integrated city, blending active recreation with luxury living. The centrepiece, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, is a 50,000-seater international venue that now serves as the home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League. The stadium is India’s fifth-largest cricket venue, hosting high-profile matches and cementing Lucknow’s reputation as a sporting capital.
Under a 35-year concession period ending in 2052, the stadium represents a sustainable PPP model, where revenue sharing, asset maintenance, and public access are seamlessly balanced. The success of this model has become a benchmark for future collaborations between government agencies and private developers in India.
The JW Marriott Project: Symbol of Ekana’s Global Vision
The JW Marriott Lucknow represents the Ekana Group’s most ambitious hospitality venture to date. Spread over 40 lakh square feet, this project will bring to Lucknow a globally recognized luxury brand synonymous with refinement, design excellence, and business-class amenities.
Strategically located within the Ekana township, the JW Marriott will form part of a larger mixed-use ecosystem, integrating premium residential towers, high-end retail zones, commercial spaces, landscaped boulevards, and a central greenbelt with a riverine wetland system known as the Ekana Wetland. The property will be landscaped in collaboration with design experts from Singapore, ensuring an environmentally conscious blueprint consistent with international urban sustainability benchmarks.
The hotel is expected to feature around 300 keys, alongside banquet facilities, fine-dining outlets, spa and wellness centres, and conference infrastructure suitable for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism. This expansion aligns with Lucknow’s growing status as a Tier-2 tourism hub, drawing both business and leisure travellers from across India and abroad.
The Marriott project underscores Ekana’s commitment to building Lucknow’s hospitality ecosystem, complementing its earlier success with Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City, a 110-key upscale property managed by Accor. Together, these brands position Ekana as a key contributor to the city’s luxury hospitality infrastructure.
Residential Developments: Creating Communities of Excellence
The Residential FSI project, part of Ekana’s integrated expansion, extends the group’s residential vision beyond existing ventures like Ekana Antalya and Ekana Ontario. Within Ekana Sportz City, Ekana Antalya was the group’s first foray into luxury residences. Offering 3–6 BHK apartments and sky villas ranging from 3,534 to 7,176 sq. ft., Antalya set new benchmarks in the city’s premium housing segment. With prices starting at ₹2.25 crore, the project has attracted a clientele of high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs).
Building on that momentum, Ekana Ontario—the group’s second major residential project—caters to a larger demographic seeking modern lifestyle amenities with smart home integrations. The Ontario project, spread across the R3 phase of the township, offers 3–7 BHK units, some extending to 11 bathrooms and eight balconies, designed for ultra-premium comfort.
These developments collectively contribute to the creation of a sports-lifestyle community—a unique proposition in India’s real estate market, where luxury living meets health-conscious design. The upcoming FSI project will continue this trend, integrating studio apartments for young professionals, green living spaces, and solar-powered infrastructure, thereby appealing to a diverse urban audience.
Commercial and Office Infrastructure: Driving Economic Activity
Parallel to its residential expansion, the Ekana Group is significantly investing in commercial real estate. The group has conceptualized a 40 lakh sq. ft. commercial tower, designed to attract multinational corporations, startups, and IT-enabled service providers.
Given Lucknow’s emergence as a secondary technology hub—fueled by government-backed IT parks and increasing demand for flexible workspace—Ekana’s commercial initiative is well-timed. The project’s location near Shaheed Path, with excellent connectivity to the airport, metro, and city centre, makes it ideally suited for software parks, financial institutions, and high-end corporate offices.
The Ekana Mall, a three-acre retail and entertainment complex featuring Venetian-inspired architecture, has already raised excitement about the group’s commercial capabilities. With over 337 retail and office units and attractions like gondola rides, a multiplex, and terrace bars, the mall represents a model of experiential retail. The new commercial project is expected to scale this success further, creating a premium business ecosystem that supports employment, commerce, and tourism.
Education and Community Infrastructure: Building Minds for the Future
A hallmark of the Ekana Group’s township planning is its emphasis on community development beyond real estate. As part of its long-term vision, the group is investing in education through the Ekana International Academy—a school project designed to offer globally benchmarked education.
Set within the township, the academy will offer CBSE and international curricula, state-of-the-art laboratories, sporting facilities, and student-centric design. The presence of a school within the township underscores Ekana’s holistic approach—ensuring that residents have access to quality education within walking distance.
Complementing this is the Ekana Club, a members-only recreation facility offering Olympic-sized pools, gyms, spas, restaurants, and corporate lounges. These institutions—educational and recreational—cement the group’s reputation as a developer of complete ecosystems rather than standalone buildings.
Ekana’s Commitment to Sustainability and Design Innovation
A defining feature of Ekana’s projects is their environmental and design consciousness. The group’s landscaping expertise, drawn from collaborations with Singapore-based consultants, ensures green integration across developments. The Ekana Wetland, a natural riverine ecosystem adjacent to the township, has been preserved and enhanced as a greenbelt and biodiversity corridor.
The design framework promotes low-impact development, integrating rainwater harvesting, solar energy systems, waste recycling, and energy-efficient building materials. The residential towers employ cross-ventilation design principles, while commercial structures follow LEED-Gold certification guidelines, reducing the township’s overall carbon footprint.
Ekana’s green approach aligns with India’s Smart Cities Mission, supporting Lucknow’s goal of sustainable urbanization. By merging ecological conservation with modern aesthetics, the group has successfully turned sustainability into a competitive advantage.
The Fortis Healthcare Partnership: Adding a Healthcare Dimension
In August 2025, Ekana Group signed a strategic operations and management (O&M) agreement with Fortis Healthcare, marking its formal entry into healthcare infrastructure. The partnership entails the development of a 550-bed super-specialty hospital within the Ekana township.
This greenfield facility will serve as a Centre of Excellence for tertiary care, offering specialized services in cardiology, oncology, neurology, and orthopedics. The hospital will also function as a healthcare hub for eastern Uttar Pradesh, improving access to advanced medical facilities and promoting medical tourism in Lucknow.
The collaboration with Fortis exemplifies Ekana’s diversification strategy—anchoring lifestyle, hospitality, education, and healthcare within a unified ecosystem.
Hospitality Expansion: Beyond Marriott
While the JW Marriott remains the flagship, Ekana’s hospitality vision extends further. Following the successful launch of Mercure Lucknow Ekana Sportz City, developed in partnership with Accor, the group has planned two additional properties—a boutique luxury hotel and a mid-scale business hotel—collectively adding over 400 keys to the city’s inventory by 2028.
Mercure’s performance during the 2024 IPL season demonstrated the economic viability of sports-integrated hospitality. The upcoming Marriott will elevate this synergy, catering to both premium business travelers and destination weddings, a fast-growing segment in Lucknow.
Together, these properties signify Ekana’s ambition to establish Lucknow as a multi-segment hospitality destination, accommodating guests across the luxury, premium, and mid-tier categories.
Technological and Digital Diversification
Beyond brick-and-mortar infrastructure, the group has ventured into digital solutions through Ekana Technologies—a division specializing in software development, digital marketing, and web-based business solutions. This vertical not only diversifies revenue streams but also complements Ekana’s core real estate operations by integrating smart technologies across its developments.
The group’s residential projects feature IoT-enabled home automation, centralized surveillance systems, and app-based facility management, exemplifying the synergy between real estate and digital innovation.
Financial Strength and Governance
Ekana Sportz City Private Limited maintained a paid-up capital of approx INR 87.23 crore, underlining its strong financial foundation. The group operates under stringent corporate governance standards, ensuring compliance with RERA regulations, transparent investor communication, and third-party audits for financial and environmental accountability.
The group’s consortium-based structure—anchored by NCC Ltd., one of India’s most respected infrastructure companies—provides it with access to technical expertise, procurement strength, and risk management experience.
With Lucknow’s property appreciation rate averaging 7–10% annually and select zones like Gomti Nagar Extension witnessing 15% CAGR projections through 2030, Ekana’s portfolio is positioned for sustained growth and investor confidence.
The Economic and Social Impact on Lucknow
Ekana’s developments have transformed Gomti Nagar Extension from a peripheral suburb into a high-value real estate and lifestyle hub. The group’s projects collectively generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate retail and tourism revenue, and enhance Lucknow’s global visibility through televised sports and hospitality events.
The presence of the stadium, hotels, and commercial spaces has catalyzed the establishment of ancillary businesses, from restaurants to logistics, contributing to the city’s GDP. Moreover, the integration of schools and healthcare services enhances Lucknow’s social infrastructure, raising the overall quality of urban life.
Through its PPP framework, Ekana has effectively aligned private growth with public benefit—creating a sustainable model for other Tier-2 cities in India.
Challenges and Risk Management
Despite its success, the group faces certain operational challenges. Construction delays, market volatility, and evolving regulatory landscapes are inherent risks in large-scale real estate projects. However, Ekana mitigates these through a combination of phased construction, RERA compliance, and contractual partnerships with top-tier engineering firms.
Additionally, the group’s multi-sectoral diversification acts as a hedge against cyclical market downturns. For instance, the hospitality and healthcare divisions provide stable, non-speculative cash flows that balance the cyclical nature of residential real estate.
Ekana Business Centre – The Landmark Lucknow Has Been Waiting For
Get ready—because it’s not just coming, it’s landing. Rising 14 floors high on Plot C9, right where the Ekana Stadium lights kiss the Gomti skyline, Ekana Business Centre (EBC) is set to redefine what it means to do business—and live—at the city’s most coveted address.
The ground floor will feature triple-height retail spaces designed to stay alive 24×7. Step in and you’re inside a living reel—glass façades, neon arches, and a rooftop sky lounge where sunsets meet selfies. Expect over three lakh footfalls every month, with IPL nights turning the promenade into a carnival.
From the 4th to the 14th floor, Oakwood by Ascott steps in—212 fully serviced suites that redefine luxury and convenience. Owners enjoy a hassle-free, income-generating model with 7–9% assured rental returns and professional global hospitality management.
The office levels are plug-and-play, ranging from 1,000 sq. ft. units to full corporate floors. A four-level basement ensures seamless parking; 100% power backup guarantees uninterrupted operations.
With steel already rising, possession is slated for Q4–2027. At today’s price—₹18,500 psf for retail, ₹12,500 psf for suites—EBC is a pre-launch opportunity few will get twice. Early investors enjoy a 12% assured return plus 30% potential upside, as Lucknow’s skyline and economy continue to soar.
Two minutes from Shaheed Path, ten from the airport, and zero minutes from envy—EBC stands as the city’s next business and lifestyle epicentre.
Strategic Roadmap: Vision 2030
Looking ahead, the Ekana Group’s strategic roadmap envisions significant expansion across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. The core elements of its Vision 2030 include:
• Completion of JW Marriott Lucknow and operational launch by 2028, establishing it as northern India’s premier hospitality destination outside Delhi NCR.
• Delivery of over 2,000 residential units and one million sq. ft. of commercial space by 2030, ensuring sustained real estate growth.
• Pan-Uttar Pradesh expansion with exploratory projects in Noida and Kanpur, leveraging learnings from Lucknow’s successful PPP model.
• Sustainability integration across all projects through green certification, EV charging infrastructure, and smart city compatibility.
• Regional hospitality portfolio growth to 1,000 keys across multiple brands in collaboration with international operators.
Each of these initiatives reinforces Ekana’s goal of being not just a real estate developer, but an urban solutions provider capable of influencing regional development policy and execution.
A Model of Sustainable Urban Enterprise
In just over a decade, the Ekana Group has redefined the contours of Lucknow’s urban landscape. From delivering a world-class sports stadium to pioneering mixed-use developments that combine luxury, commerce, and sustainability, Ekana’s journey exemplifies modern Indian entrepreneurship.
The group’s forthcoming JW Marriott project—a 40-lakh-square-foot architectural statement—will stand as a symbol of Lucknow’s ascent into the global hospitality map. Its combination of green design, technological integration, and community development makes it more than just a construction milestone—it represents the future of holistic urban living.
As Lucknow transitions into a high-growth metropolis with expanding air, metro, and digital connectivity, the Ekana Group is poised to lead the next chapter of its evolution. Anchored in sound governance, engineering precision, and a vision that harmonizes profit with purpose, the group stands as a beacon of modern development—an enterprise that doesn’t just build cities, but builds futures.
