Real Estate Portfolio Management Firms Tap into India's Billionaire Population

As India’s billionaire population continues to grow, real estate portfolio management firms are seeing a significant increase in demand. Currently, India boasts 207 billionaires, placing it third globally after the USA and Mainland China. This number is expected to rise to 313 by 2031. In response, firms such as Vridanta Advisory and Knight Frank are launching specialized verticals to manage the real estate portfolios of these ultra-wealthy individuals.

According to Knight Frank, the number of Ultra-High-Net-Worth-Individuals (UHNWIs) in India—defined as individuals with a net worth of US$30 million and above—has surged by 63% over the past five years, from 12,161 in 2021 to 19,877 individuals. India now ranks sixth in the world for UHNWI population, and this number is projected to reach 25,217 by 2031.

Vridanta Advisory has introduced a specialized real estate portfolio management platform for affluent investors. Knight Frank has also expanded its operations in India with the launch of Private Office services, designed to cater to UHNWIs, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), family offices, and their advisors.

Rashima Mittal, founder of Vridanta Advisory, emphasizes the need for strategic management of property portfolios. “Most investors own properties, but very few manage them strategically. Investors today require predictable and disciplined returns from real estate rather than opportunistic gains during market booms,” Mittal said. With over 23 years of experience in developing and planning super-luxury projects across India, Mittal brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

Traditionally, investors have relied on market appreciation to create wealth through real estate. However, this model is fragile and highly dependent on market cycles. Vridanta advocates for a more disciplined approach, where real estate wealth is managed through strategy, governance, and active portfolio oversight to achieve consistent and predictable returns. This approach aligns with how mature global investors manage property wealth.

Vridanta operates on a subscription-based advisory model, providing continuous oversight of an investor’s entire property portfolio. The platform focuses on several key areas to maximize returns, including portfolio performance tracking, rental yield enhancement, ownership structuring, liquidity improvement, legal preparedness, strategic buying and selling, and rental management.

Quality ownership documentation is a critical aspect of premium real estate markets, influencing both valuation and liquidity. Vridanta works closely with legal experts to ensure that all documentation is in order, thereby enhancing the value and liquidity of properties.

One recent engagement involved restructuring a Delhi-based family’s multi-asset property portfolio. The firm improved rental positioning, rationalized underperforming assets, and strengthened ownership structures in preparation for future liquidity events. The goal was not just appreciation but the transformation of passive ownership into a strategically managed portfolio.

Vridanta also functions as a specialized real estate desk for wealth management firms, allowing financial advisors to focus on financial investments while Vridanta handles real estate strategy and execution. The company believes that the next phase of wealth management in India will increasingly move toward integrated and institutional real estate portfolio advisory.

With the growing UHNWI population and the demand for strategic real estate management, firms like Vridanta Advisory and Knight Frank are well-positioned to meet the needs of India’s wealthy investors, ensuring that their property portfolios are managed with discipline and predictability.