Trump footprint in city after Prez inauguration?

KOLKATA: US President-elect Donald Trump is likely to lend his signature to a luxury condominium project off EM Bypass adjoining Science City. Sources said a city-based developer has already inked a deal but details are being withheld as

Trump Organization

, the New York-based business venture of the real estate tycoon-turned-politician, has put all announcements on hold till he is sworn in as America's 45th President on January 20.
Kalpesh Mehta, the managing partner at Tribeca, the exclusive representative of Trump Organization in In dia, has hinted at an announcement early next year. Mehta met Trump in Washington this week.

Trump Organization has already signed four other projects in India, one each in Mumbai and Pune and two in Gurgaon. It charges a fee for allowing the use of its name. How much Indian builders have coughed up isn't known but

Trump Tower Toronto

paid upwards of $5 million that included two personal appea rances by Trump. While a Trump appearance is not possible now that he is the American President, a family member may grace the inaugurations.

The proposed Trump Tower in the city will be a 3.5lakh sq ft luxury apartment project. It had earlier been launched as Eternia before negotiations began with Trump Organization. The chairman & managing director of developer

Unimark Group

refrained from commenting, citing confidentiality. Project owner Sanjay Surekha of Concast Group also refused comment. According to real estate sources, Trump Orga nization will review the 38-storied tower that has been designed by Aedas of Singapore along with local partners Maheswari Architects of Kolkata, and provide necessary inputs. “Trump Organization has considerable knowledge and expertise on high-end developments and is likely to aid in design and project management. If the deal goes through, senior Trump Organization officials will visit Kolkata to make the formal announcement,“ a source said.

Realtors believe the arri val of Trump Tower can lift the city's image and make a big difference to its brand equity . “When the President of the most powerful nation in the world lends his name to a project, it is viewed as an endorsement of the city . That is a huge positive for Kolkata,“ said Pawan Agarwal, director of NK Realtors.

Besides, a Trump Tower next to Science City would enhance the premiumness of the address. Next door is Atmosphere, arguably the most iconic project under way in the city with its floating club house Deya. Also under development in the vicinity is the 27 floor office project Ideal Unique Centre designed by Hafeez Contractor. While the Trump name will tremendously enrich the glamour quo tient of the luxury project, it is essentially a mega branding exercise that will help position the property . The Jain Group has tied up with Versace for the Dream One project in Rajarhat. “We are using Versace products like wall paper and tiles in the smart home project,“ said Shreyans Jain of Jain Group.

Team Taurus, another real estate group, had launched a Disney themed project near Joka a couple of years ago.Bengaluru-based City Corporation Ltd has tied up with Swarovski for a 45-storied project. The cost of the proposed

Turmp Tower

in Kolkata is pegged around Rs 350-500 crore and will be ready in three-four years. It will have 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments of 2,398 sq ft and 4,393 sq ft respectively . The price of the luxury flats is expected to be upwards of Rs 3 crore.