Large-scale real estate projects do more than reshape skylines; they influence how cities move, work, and grow over decades. In this conversation with Priyal Tambe, Correspondent, Realty+, Adrija Agarwal, President, Sattva Group, reflects on the responsibility that comes with building at such scale. She discusses the importance of planning for changing technologies, evolving lifestyles, and long-term urban needs, while emphasising patience, adaptability, and the quiet strategic decisions that determine a project’s lasting relevance.
Real estate shapes how people live and work. Looking at your journey so far, what responsibility do you feel comes with leading projects or shaping spaces at this scale today?
Adrija Agarwal: When projects reach a certain scale, you begin to see them less as developments and more as long-term commitments to a city. What we build influences how people commute, where businesses choose to locate, and how communities evolve over time. That awareness brings a responsibility to think far beyond the point of delivery. At Sattva, we look closely at how future technologies, changing work cultures, and evolving lifestyles will intersect with the spaces we create. Our aim is to design environments that can grow with these changes and continue to serve people meaningfully over many years.
Much of real estate is judged by numbers we can see. What is the work you do behind the scenes that has had the biggest long-term impact on business
Adrija Agarwal: The most enduring impact often comes from decisions made long before a project becomes visible. A significant part of my focus is on how a development will function over its full life cycle. This includes planning infrastructure that can handle future demands, embedding digital readiness from the outset, and aligning capital decisions with how the asset will be operated years later. These choices rarely draw attention early on, but they are what allow a project to remain efficient, adaptable, and relevant as expectations and technologies change.
Stepping into leadership often looks smooth from the outside. What part of this journey was actually the hardest for you?
Adrija Agarwal: The hardest lesson was learning to stay committed to the long view. In real estate, the results of decisions do not appear quickly, and it takes patience to stay focused when outcomes unfold gradually. Over time, I learned that leadership requires consistency, clarity of purpose, and the confidence to continue on a chosen path even when progress is not immediately visible. That steadiness becomes a strength as responsibilities grow.
Has there been a moment when you realised something you strongly believed about real estate was no longer true? What made you rethink it?
Adrija Agarwal: Earlier in my career, I believed that once a project was well executed, its future was largely secured. Experience changed that perspective. Cities, technology, and user expectations evolve constantly, and buildings need to be designed with that reality in mind. Projects that continue to perform well are those that allow for change, whether through flexible layouts, adaptable infrastructure, or thoughtful integration with their surroundings. This understanding has shaped how we approach planning and design today.
For women entering real estate today, ambition is no longer the challenge, access often is. What helped you claim authority at the table, and what still needs to change structurally?
Adrija Agarwal: What helped me was staying deeply engaged with the business and developing a strong understanding of how decisions play out over time. When your contributions consistently reflect preparation and long-term thinking, trust builds naturally. Structurally, the industry still needs to create clearer pathways for women into leadership and decision-making roles. When women are involved in shaping strategy and outcomes, the industry benefits from broader perspectives and stronger decision-making.
