Old Mahabalipuram Road was termed, "old" only after East Coast Road was opened in 1998. However, now it's one of the most modern and trending areas in Chennai, and it has evolved into the top Information Technology hub of Tamil Nadu. This route was first created just to travel to Mamallapuram and in fact, it only became popular after the construction of the Kotturpuram bridge in 1987, which connected Taramani and beyond.

Back in those days when Adyar was the city limit, OMR used to be a sleepy little village with just a small road by which just one car could go. This narrow road used to be set amidst dense forest and this road was mostly used by tourists who wanted to explore the beaches and resorts along the ECR Road.

Later on, this narrow road was laid out as a six-lane road with a median, service road, with pedestrian walkways. This road stretched about 45 km, starting with Madhya Kailash Temple Junction on Sardar Patel Road and going all the way to East Coast Road near Mamallapuram. Now to understand how this locality transformed from a series of villages to a tech hub, let's trace its evolution back a decade ago.

Early settlement

OMR Road was famous for its research institutes, universities, and healthcare centers back in those days. In fact, the famous Voluntary Health Services, also called VHS Hospital, a multi-specialty specialty hospital that aims to serve the economically weaker section was opened in Taramani in 1958. The Central Polytechnic College was inaugurated in 1916 while the IIT Madras was inaugurated in 1959, which has its main entrance along the Sardar Patel Road. Later on, NIFT Chennai was established in the year 1995, which is a remarkable institution for the aspiring and creative young generation in the field of Fashion. The presence of these institutions on the OMR Road is the first factor that influenced the real estate market in the area.

TIDEL Park Opened in 2000

TIDEL Park is where all the development began, especially with the IT sector. It was inaugurated on July 4, 2000, by the former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. In fact, in 2000, it was one of the largest tech parks in India! This 13-story tech building was set up to encourage the growth of information technology in Tamil Nadu, a combined venture of TIDCO and ELCOT.

Located in Taramani, opposite Thiruvanmiyur MRTS Railway Station, TIDEL Park played a major part in the development of OMR Road. In fact, it set the stage for the upcoming IT development attracting many top BPO, IT/ITES companies, and software companies around the world.

Hub of Information Technology

The growth in the IT and Corporate industries dominated the evolution of real estate on OMR Road. Post TIDEL Park the demand for real estate was no longer limited to the trending localities in the city limit. In fact, after 2000, there was good demand for commercial spaces in the suburbs, which paved the way for OMR IT Expressways development. Following are some of the giant IT Parks that evolved the real estate landscape in Old Mahabalipuram Road.

SIPCOT TCS Siruseri - TCS Siruseri is one of the largest state-of-the-art tech parks, extending over 70 acres, with a built-up area of 5 million square feet.

Taramani Ascendas IT Park - It provides over 2 million square feet of quality office space to over 45 top IT and ITES firms with over 22,000 employees.

Ramanujan IT Park - Located near Tidel Park, the development spans 25 acres and comprises 4.5 million square feet of office space.

Chennai One - It is a state-of-the-art IT park with a total built-up area of 3.6 million square feet, nestled on a large, green campus with infrastructure that rivals the best in the world.

Brigade Word Trade Center - A 28-story commercial and residential center located in Perungudi, with 170,000 square meters of office space.

Desire to stay close to work

Such development in the IT industry increased the demand for residential development and many more commercial developments. In fact, many people working in tech companies like TCS, Cognizant, HCL, Ramco Systems, and so on desire to live close to their office in OMR Road. Anticipating the demand, many real estate developers flocked to this IT corridor and started developing residential projects. OMR residential market offers a mix of mid-segment and luxurious real estate properties. The availability of large parcels of land helped with the development of several townships and residential communities that satisfy the demand of the IT professionals working here. Shollinganallur, Navalur Thoraipakkam, and Perungudi are the top trending residential areas in OMR Road, while Padur, Semmancheri, and Kelambakkam are the most affordable along this IT Stretch.

Need for infrastructural upgrades

The development of IT companies and residential communities has paved the way for infrastructural development in and around the OMR IT corridor. In fact, the government has understood the need for infrastructure upgrades and has come up with several infrastructural projects that boost connectivity and enhance the lifestyle of those working and living here. The Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail, along with the multi-deck elevated corridor and the development of the Chennai peripheral road project are all projects set out to upgrade this locality.

Conclusion

Today, OMR has developed into a self-sustaining community with strong connections, required physical and social infrastructure, and plenty of employment prospects. The area's strategic position, connectivity, and business-friendly atmosphere all contribute to its rapid expansion. The presence of global firms, educational institutions, and a thriving technology sector has cemented OMR's reputation as a top real estate destination. Whether you are looking for flats, individual House, and plots, OMR offers diverse options that cater to various preferences and budgets. In reality, OMR real estate has yielded significant returns on investment in a short period.