ETRECA 2026: Real Estate Leaders Discuss Sector Growth and Honor Top Performers
The fifth edition of The Economic Times Real Estate Conclave & Awards (ETRECA) 2026 was recently held in Mumbai, gathering policymakers, developers, investors, and sector experts. This event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and the recognition of excellence in the real estate sector.
The conclave focused on a wide array of topics, including housing affordability, urban redevelopment models, sustainable development, the evolving nature of office spaces, capital markets, and technology adoption in real estate operations. Participants highlighted that urban land scarcity, financing gaps, and outdated redevelopment norms are major challenges. They emphasized the importance of resident-centric planning, cluster-led redevelopment, and bank-supported financing for inclusive housing solutions.
Experts also discussed the evolving patterns of housing demand, particularly in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, and the influence of global capability centres on the office leasing market. They pointed out the growing role of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), private equity, and other funding channels as critical to meeting development requirements in both commercial and residential segments.
The conclave provided a stage to recognize industry achievements through The Economic Times Real Estate Awards (RECA) 2026. Entries underwent rigorous evaluation, including independent screening, shortlisting, and jury assessment to ensure credibility. Awards were given for outstanding work in residential, commercial, mixed-use, shared spaces, and PropTech innovation. Leadership categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Woman Achiever, Young Achiever, and Person of the Year recognized individuals driving the sector forward.
Among the top recognitions, M R Jaishankar, Executive Chairman of Brigade Group, received the Lifetime Achievement Person of the Year award for his long-term contributions to large-scale real estate development in India. Adani Realty was named Developer of the Year, while Eldeco Infrastructure & Properties received jury recognition in the same category. Individual leadership honours went to Pradeep Aggarwal of Signature Global (India) Ltd., Preeti Chheda of K Raheja Corp Investment Managers for Woman Achiever of the Year, and Karan Virwani, CEO of WeWork India, as Young Achiever of the Year.
Shared workspace brands, including WeWork India, Table Space, and Awfis Space Solutions, were recognized for excellence in flexible workspaces. PropTech awards went to Square Yards and HouseEazy. Residential and mixed-use projects from developers such as Godrej Properties, Casagrand, Smartworld, and Rustomjee received accolades. Commercial real estate leaders, including DLF, Mindspace REIT, and Capitaland India, were recognized for notable developments that enhanced urban infrastructure and workplace experiences.
The event underscored the importance of combining innovation, finance, sustainability, and design to meet India's evolving urban and real estate needs. Experts emphasized that adapting to changing market trends, leveraging technology, and adopting modern redevelopment models are essential to creating resilient and future-ready urban spaces.
