If you thought homes in landmark Mumbai buildings cost the earth in 1999, they cost the entire galaxy in 2009 with experts saying rates are to show a similar pattern of spiralling upward in the next decade

There is no stronger barometer of social status and upward mobility than real estate in this city.

The South Mumbai 'SOBO' snobs may smirk in disdain at their North Indian cousins but there are ways that the suburbs are hitting back.

Buildings with swimming pools, gyms and jogging tracks are cocking a noose at their space crunched Southies.
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Yet, South or North, East or West, it is evident that Mumbai has now expanded to Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and builders have even reached far-flung places like Karjat and Naigaon.



Here are some landmark city buildings, whose rates seem to have reached dizzying heights from 1999 onwards.

NCPA apartments, Nariman Point: This building located at one end of the Marine Drive is a famous 'loop' on the Mumbai marathon route.
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Like the marathoners, you too might break into a cold sweat at the prices of houses in this ultimate SOBO address.

In 1999: Rate per sq ft: Rs 20-23,000.

The prices reached a zenith in 2007 when the per sq ft. rate was of Rs 97,000 per sqft.

In 2009: Rate anywhere between u00a0Rs 90,000 to 1 lakh per sq. ft.

Chand Terrace, Hill Road: This building is approximately 25 years old and at one time was considered the pride of Bandra.

One of the first, 'celebrity' building in the area, still has a special lure for celebs. Recently, actor Arjun Rampal paid nearly Rs 35,000 per sq ft. for a pent house in the building.

In 1999: Rate per sq. ft: Rs 18,000. Prices had once crossed Rsu00a0 40,000 per sq. ft when the market was it's highest.

In 2009:u00a0 Rate per sq foot: Rs 35,000