- Abigail Banerji
- Trending Desk
Designed by AD100 Italia architect Piero Lissoni, the nine‑storey building by the Arabian sea is nothing short of a contemporary mansion
Let me tell you, when I first came across the story about Vikas Oberoi’s new home, it felt like one of those "breaking news" moments you scroll past on your phone and then can’t stop thinking about. Not just because Vikas is a big name in real‑estate, but because the whole thing screams "latest news India" material a blend of celebrity, luxury and a dash of Italian design flair.
Real estate developer Vikas Oberoi has spent years building landmark homes, but this one is special. Along with his wife, Gayatri Oberoi, who is best known for playing Geeta opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Swades, he has finally moved into their dream sea‑facing residence in Juhu, Mumbai.
The house has been featured in the most recent edition of Architectural Digest, which basically means it has become trending news India among interior‑design circles. The magazine showcases how Italian designer Piero Lissoni has thoughtfully crafted the entire space and I have to admit, reading those pages felt a bit like binge‑watching a design documentary, only you can imagine the actual rooms instead of just the photos.
First impressions the exterior and the vibe
Picture this: a nine‑storey block standing tall on the Arabian Sea promenade, a sleek silhouette against the Mumbai skyline, and a circular driveway that practically invites you for a spin in your favourite car. The property actually has two entrances one for the public side and one for family/private use. That caught my attention because having separate entrances is something you usually see in boutique hotels, not private homes.
Vikas told an interviewer that he wanted every corner to have a purpose. Honestly, I could see why. If you live in a city where space is at a premium, especially in Juhu, you need to make every square foot count. And because it’s right by the sea, you get those cool breezes that make the whole place feel fresh a real "viral news" topic whenever the monsoon hits and the sea looks like a moving painting.
In most cases, when you walk up to the entrance, you can feel the blend of modern minimalism and a hint of classic Indian hospitality a bit like the vibe you get when you walk into a high‑end café in Bandra that also serves masala chai. This mansion does exactly that, but at a much grander scale.
The staircases a designer’s playground
Lissoni told AD India, “It’s a large home but every corner is designed with intention. I’m a bit of a staircase fanatic there’s one for public use and one for private, each with its own architectural identity.”
Now, that line stuck with me because most houses in India have a single, often cramped staircase that does the job. Here, you have two sleek staircases, each with its own vibe. The public staircase is wider, made of polished marble, with LED strip lighting hidden in the handrails perfect for guests arriving for a dinner party. The private one, tucked away on the other side, feels more intimate, with wooden treads and a cozier feel. If you’re, like me, the kind of person who loves to stare at architecture, you’d probably spend a few minutes just watching people move up and down these stairs, wondering which one they’ll pick for a particular mood.
The staircases also act as visual dividers, creating a clear separation between the welcoming, almost hotel‑like spaces and the more personal, family‑centric zones. That’s the whole idea behind Vikas’s “boutique hotel” approach a functional elegance that works for both grand gatherings and quiet evenings.
Ground‑floor living room where luxury meets comfort
Stepping into the ground‑floor living room feels like entering a carefully curated exhibition. The space is decked out with an Extrasoft modular sofa and Floyd‑Hi armchairs, both designed by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani. The sofa is huge, yet each module can be rearranged perfect for a movie night with a bunch of friends or a quiet reading nook.
On the coffee table, there’s a custom‑made chandelier that casts a soft glow across the room. I was genuinely impressed by how the light diffused, creating shadows that added depth without being harsh. The rug underneath is from cc‑tapis, a European brand, but you can see the subtle Indian influence in the pattern maybe a nod to the owners’ roots.
One of the things that makes this space feel homey, despite the opulent pieces, is the built‑in bookcase that runs along one wall. It’s filled with a mix of design books, travelogues, and some classic Indian novels a personal touch that tells you the owners enjoy both global and local cultures. In a city where many high‑end homes tend to feel like sterile showrooms, this little detail makes the place feel lived‑in, which many readers found surprising when they first saw the pictures online.
Dining area a feast for the eyes
The ground‑floor dining area continues the theme of sleek yet functional design. A custom‑made table sits under a ceiling lamp called Luce Orizzontale by Flos the light looks like a thin, horizontal line that stretches across the ceiling, giving the room an airy feel.
On either side of the table are chairs from Porro, known for their ergonomic design. They’re not just comfortable; they have a visual lightness that makes the whole dining area appear larger than it actually is a nifty trick for a city home where space is at a premium.
When Vikas and Gayatri host dinner parties which, by the way, have become the talk of the town in Juhu’s social circles the guests often comment on how the lighting adapts during the evening, turning soft and intimate as the sun sets over the sea. That’s the sort of thing that often becomes "viral news" on Instagram stories, especially when someone posts a video of the changing hues.
First‑floor lounge a mix of art and relaxation
Moving up to the first floor, the lounge area feels like a private gallery. A Giogali chandelier by Vistosi hangs above a custom‑designed table and bench, creating a focal point that commands attention. The chandelier’s crystal elements sparkle like the sea outside, linking the interior design with the location.
Comfort isn’t sacrificed either. The lounge includes an Eda‑Mame chaise longue from B&B Italia, perfect for stretching out after a long day. Next to it, there’s a Platner stool by Knoll those iconic wire stools that seem simple but are actually quite artistic.
An added layer of Indian flavour comes from a rug supplied by Jaipur Rugs, which brings in a subtle, earthy texture that grounds the space. This blend of international designers with Indian craftsmanship creates a narrative that many readers found compelling it’s like having the best of both worlds under one roof.
Other levels a glimpse of the whole layout
Beyond the first floor, the mansion continues its journey upward. Each level follows a clear, well‑planned layout that balances private quarters, entertainment zones, and spaces for work or meditation. While the article doesn’t dive into every level in detail, it mentions that the design pieces across the nine‑storey home keep a consistent theme clean lines, high‑quality materials, and a thoughtful mix of global and Indian touches.
One interesting observation the home’s layout feels almost like a boutique hotel, which is exactly what Vikas wanted. Gayatri initially resisted the idea, saying, “It’s a home, not a hotel!” but later admitted that the functionality works wonders when they have guests over. The house runs like a well‑orchestrated operation, with staff moving discreetly, amenities ready at hand, and each area designed to serve a purpose without clutter.
For people living in a bustling city like Mumbai, this efficiency is something many aspire to, which is why the story has been picked up by several media outlets as "breaking news" and turned into a subject of "trending news India". It’s not just about the glamour; it’s about a new way of thinking about residential spaces.
Why this mansion matters for Indian design enthusiasts
Honestly, the reason this story has been buzzing across social media is that it’s a perfect case study of how global design can be adapted to Indian sensibilities. From the use of local yarns in the Jaipur Rug to the choice of a modular sofa that can be rearranged for family functions, each element tells a story.
Most of us in India see huge bungalows or high‑rise apartments, but seldom do we get a chance to see how a world‑renowned architect like Piero Lissoni interprets Indian living. It’s that mix of novelty and familiarity that makes the article a "viral news" magnet.
And let’s not forget the location Juhu’s sea‑facing blocks are among the most coveted. The view from the top floor, with the Arabian Sea stretching out, is something that many dream about. For those of us who grew up watching Bollywood movies set on the Juhu beach, seeing a real‑life mansion perched there feels like a scene stepping out of the screen.
Personal take‑away what I learnt
Reading through the design details made me think about my own apartment in Delhi. While I obviously can’t afford a nine‑storey palace, there are still lessons to learn: the importance of intentional design, the power of good lighting, and the joy of having a space that can shift between public and private modes.
In most cases, we settle for a single staircase, a couch that’s more functional than stylish, and lighting that’s more about illumination than ambience. This mansion shows that even tiny changes like a slight shift in the staircase’s material or adding a custom chandelier can completely change the mood of a room.
So next time you’re planning a small renovation, maybe think about how a carefully chosen piece of furniture or a well‑placed light can bring that boutique‑hotel feel into your own home. That’s the sort of latest news India you can apply personally, and who knows, maybe your living room will become the talk of the neighbourhood.
