Synopsis: In 2025, the dominance of CBDs is shifting towards SBDs due to the reasons that SBDs are increasingly outperforming CBDs in terms of occupancy rates, rental growth, infrastructure development, and business activity.
As India’s urban landscape evolves, traditional Central Business Districts(CBDs) are no longer the only powerhouse of growth. Secondary Business Districts are now the real engines of development in 2025. From Gurugram’s Cyber City to Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. SBDs are rewriting the rules of urban growth, lifestyle and investment driven by infrastructure projects, IT growth and planned development.
Top 5 SBDs metro cities that are outperforming CBDs in 2025
1. Bengaluru
This city’s growth as a tech and IT hub, GCCs drives demand in several prominent SBDs. In the areas like Sarjapur, Whitefield and Hebbal. CBD areas are MG Road, Brigade Road, commercial street and Church Street.
- The real estate price range in Whitefield – Rs. 15,200 per sq. ft. Sarjapur Road – Rs. 6000 to Rs. 12000 approximately per sq. ft and Hebbal is around Rs.12191 per sq. ft. which are comparatively less than CBD areas of Bangalore.
- SBDs areas of Bangalore attract investment opportunities due to IT corridors, multiple infrastructure projects like Peripheral Ring Road and a new metro line extensions along with connectivity to airport and other parts of city.
2. Pune
This City is known for its affordable luxury and impressive growth with several SBDs attracting investment in the areas of Baner & Balewadi, Wakad and Kharadi. CBD hotspots of Pune are Hinjawadi, Shivaji Nagar, Koregaon etc
- The real estate market price range is of Rs. 6500 to 10,496 per sq. ft. in SBD areas of Pune and in CBD areas the price range from Rs.1.79 cr to Rs. 2.5 cr for 1000 to 2000 sq. ft.
- These are prominent SBDs in Pune that offer a balance of affordability and modern amenities for both residential and commercial investment with expanding IT manufacturing and education sector.
3. Delhi NCR
The expansion of new and emerging districts in NCR is showing a significant potential for development in the areas like Jasola and Aerocity, Dwarka, Golf Course Road and Noida Expressway. Some of the CBD areas are Connaught Place, DLF Cyber City, Sector 62 etc.
- The real estate prices of CBD are high compared to SBD which starts approximately from Rs. 6000 – Rs. 37,250 per sq. ft. in SBDs areas.
- Corporate presence in Gurugram, continues to be a key commercial hub within the Delhi NCR region.
- The older SBDs like Nehru Place and Saket in Delhi remain relevant; the border NCR region’s growth is driven by emerging zones development in rapidly expanding sub markets.
Also read: Top 10 Rapidly Expanding Sectors in India to Watch in 2025
4. Mumbai
It remains a powerhouse in real estate development, with its SBDs playing a crucial role in accommodating commercial and residential expansion. Some of the CBD areas are BKC, South Mumbai, Worli and Lower Parel
- Andheri, Vile Parle and Jogeshwari are cited as prominent SBDs that provide commercial spaces and residential options at lower costs ranges from Rs.8171 to Rs. 29,585 than the main CBD.
- Thane, Chembur and Powai are driven by workforce in the BFSI and IT sector, with strong connectivity to Bandra Kurla Complex. These areas are growing significantly as residential and commercial hubs of Mumbai’s real estate.
5. Chennai
With a diverse economic base spanning IT, Manufacturing and automotive industries, Chennai offers stability and promising growth in its suburbs.
- The corridors of Chennai attract significant investment OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) and ECR(East Coast Road) continue to be fueled by IT parks, commercial growth and ongoing infrastructure improvements.
- These areas are a mix of affordable to premium housing options, schools and infrastructure development with prices ranging from Rs. 6500 to Rs. 20,000 per sq. ft. compared to CBD areas Rs. 14000 to Rs. 35000 per sq. ft. that are Egmore, Kottupuram, Poes Garden etc.
6. Hyderabad
This city is significantly developing and there are many developments coming up with IT technology and residential properties. Hyderabad CBD areas include HITEC city, Banjara hills, Gochibowli etc
- Kokapet, Narsingi, Kondapur, Patancheru are some of the SBD areas of Hyderabad and their price ranges from approximately Rs. 9,200 to Rs.12,550 per sq. ft. than CBD areas.
- The SBD areas are developing in commercial and residential zones, IT and startup companies, IT corridors and infrastructural projects.
Key reasons for SBD outperformance
- Abundant Grade A Office Supply: SBDs have large land parcels that allow for modern, large floor plate office buildings, highly preferred by multinational corporations and GCCs.
- Infrastructure Development: There are many infrastructure developments like metro expansions, expressways and new airports with improved connectivity to SBDs making them more accessible than the often congested CBDs.
- Talent Pool and Amenities: SBDs are closer to large residential catchments areas, offering work life balance for employees and access to a vast talent pool along with integrated social infrastructure like malls, schools and hospitals.
- Attractive Valuations: Properties in SBDs are appreciating and offer competitive rental yields and entry costs compared to the saturated high priced CBDs.
Conclusion
SBDs are the new economic cores including mixed use hubs, digitally connected infrastructure and lifestyle driven work spaces. SBDs are outperforming in metro cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Chennai and Bangalore.
Written by Soumya M