Mumbai is no stranger to redevelopment stories, but this one stands out. For the first time, an independent bungalow in upscale Bandra is being redeveloped—not by a builder, but by the family that owns it.
The Pereira family, who have lived in Victoria Cottage since 1975, have decided to give their 87-year-old home a modern twist. Instead of handing over the plot to a developer, they are financing and managing the project themselves under Mumbai’s self-redevelopment scheme.
From Cottage to Cooperative Tower
The bungalow, originally built in 1938 by Dominic Lewis Pereira and later sold to Didacus Everest Pereira, has long been a landmark on Veronica Street. Today, Didacus’s son Vivian and his wife Myra live there, but soon, the quaint cottage will rise as a 14-storey tower.
According to project consultant Akbar Jiwani, the plan covers a 5,167 sq. ft plot that will be transformed into a 21,000 sq. ft residential complex. The building blueprint includes:
- Two basement levels and twin parking towers
- 14 residential floors with two 2BHK flats per floor (875–909 sq. ft each)
- Each unit designed with three balconies and 11-ft ceiling height (taller than the standard 9 ft, keeping the Pereira family’s love for spacious living intact)
Why Self-Redevelopment?
For decades, builders approached the family with redevelopment offers, but they always declined. “It was never a priority,” says their son, Mark. Things changed in 2018, when the Maharashtra government formally introduced the self-redevelopment scheme. By 2021, the Pereiras decided to take matters into their own hands.
Over the past year, they fine-tuned more than 20 versions of their redevelopment plan before finalizing the current design. Construction is expected to begin by 2026, with the entire project scheduled to finish in two-and-a-half years.
The Family’s Share
The Pereiras will occupy the top four floors of the new tower, moving up from their current ground-floor residence. The remaining 20 apartments will be sold—first to relatives at a discounted rate, and later in the open market under the St. Sebastian Homes Cooperative Housing Society framework.
By shifting from a small bungalow to the tower, the family will gain nearly 400% more space, ensuring a luxurious upgrade while keeping ownership firmly in their hands.
The Finances
- Construction cost: ₹4,500 per sq. ft for apartments, ₹2,200 per sq. ft for common areas
- Funding: 10% investment from the family, rest financed via a bank loan
- Revenue plan: Sale of flats to cover costs and make the project profitable
Smart Living & Sustainability
This isn’t just a vertical expansion—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. The new Victoria Cooperative Housing Society will feature:
- Smart home technology
- Solar power systems
- Rainwater harvesting
- Sewage treatment plant
- EV charging stations
“As this is a self-redevelopment project, every detail is tailored by the owners themselves,” says Jiwani, highlighting the flexibility this model provides.
A New Chapter for Victoria Cottage
By 2026, the old Pereira family bungalow will give way to a modern residential tower—one that blends heritage, ambition, and self-reliance. For Mumbai, it marks an example of how self-redevelopment can empower homeowners to take control of their property’s future.
Mumbai is no stranger to redevelopment stories, but this one stands out. For the first time, an independent bungalow in upscale Bandra is being redeveloped—not by a builder, but by the family that owns it.
The Pereira family, who have lived in Victoria Cottage since 1975, have decided to give their 87-year-old home a modern twist. Instead of handing over the plot to a developer, they are financing and managing the project themselves under Mumbai’s self-redevelopment scheme.
From Cottage to Cooperative Tower
The bungalow, originally built in 1938 by Dominic Lewis Pereira and later sold to Didacus Everest Pereira, has long been a landmark on Veronica Street. Today, Didacus’s son Vivian and his wife Myra live there, but soon, the quaint cottage will rise as a 14-storey tower.
According to project consultant Akbar Jiwani, the plan covers a 5,167 sq. ft plot that will be transformed into a 21,000 sq. ft residential complex. The building blueprint includes:
- Two basement levels and twin parking towers
- 14 residential floors with two 2BHK flats per floor (875–909 sq. ft each)
- Each unit designed with three balconies and 11-ft ceiling height (taller than the standard 9 ft, keeping the Pereira family’s love for spacious living intact)
Why Self-Redevelopment?
For decades, builders approached the family with redevelopment offers, but they always declined. “It was never a priority,” says their son, Mark. Things changed in 2018, when the Maharashtra government formally introduced the self-redevelopment scheme. By 2021, the Pereiras decided to take matters into their own hands.
Over the past year, they fine-tuned more than 20 versions of their redevelopment plan before finalizing the current design. Construction is expected to begin by 2026, with the entire project scheduled to finish in two-and-a-half years.
The Family’s Share
The Pereiras will occupy the top four floors of the new tower, moving up from their current ground-floor residence. The remaining 20 apartments will be sold—first to relatives at a discounted rate, and later in the open market under the St. Sebastian Homes Cooperative Housing Society framework.
By shifting from a small bungalow to the tower, the family will gain nearly 400% more space, ensuring a luxurious upgrade while keeping ownership firmly in their hands.
The Finances
- Construction cost: ₹4,500 per sq. ft for apartments, ₹2,200 per sq. ft for common areas
- Funding: 10% investment from the family, rest financed via a bank loan
- Revenue plan: Sale of flats to cover costs and make the project profitable
Smart Living & Sustainability
This isn’t just a vertical expansion—it’s a lifestyle upgrade. The new Victoria Cooperative Housing Society will feature:
- Smart home technology
- Solar power systems
- Rainwater harvesting
- Sewage treatment plant
- EV charging stations
“As this is a self-redevelopment project, every detail is tailored by the owners themselves,” says Jiwani, highlighting the flexibility this model provides.
A New Chapter for Victoria Cottage
By 2026, the old Pereira family bungalow will give way to a modern residential tower—one that blends heritage, ambition, and self-reliance. For Mumbai, it marks an example of how self-redevelopment can empower homeowners to take control of their property’s future.
