Mohammed Israil Shaikh, Founder and MD, UniMax World, shares insights into the company’s journey, its evolving approach to real estate development, diverse portfolio, upcoming projects, and changing consumer expectations, while outlining the vision shaping UniMax World’s next phase of growth.
Could you take us through the journey of UniMax World, its evolution over the years, and the vision that has guided the company’s growth?
I always had an entrepreneurial streak and wanted to build something of my own. UniMax World’s journey began in 2016 with a simple belief that real estate should enrich lives, not just shape skylines.
The journey hasn’t always been easy. Our first project couldn’t take off due to government-related complications, and the early years brought their share of financial challenges. But I was fortunate to have a small team that believed in the vision and stayed with me through those difficult years. Some of them are still with us today, having grown into very different roles.
Our first successful project, UniMax Rise Homes in Taloja, was a turning point. Handing over those first keys made me realise that we were not just building homes but were becoming part of people’s lives and their future. After that, with every project, we started thinking a little bigger.
My definition of success has also changed. In 2016, success meant establishing the company and completing a project. Today, it means creating more livelihoods through our growth and helping more people achieve their dream of owning a home.
As we grow, I want UniMax to remain a company that people can trust, while continuing to adapt, learn, and create something that has genuine value for the people whose lives we touch.
Could you give us an overview of the key projects delivered by the company across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, or other segments, and what each has contributed to the organisation’s growth?
Over the years, UniMax World has built its portfolio across residential, industrial, and warehousing segments. Our completed residential projects include Happy Homes, Rise Homes, and UniMax Harmony, which have helped us establish a strong foundation in residential development, strengthen our execution capabilities, and build trust among our customers.
Currently, UniMax Life and UniMax Pride are our ongoing residential projects, reflecting our continued focus on delivering quality homes and well-planned living spaces that respond to evolving customer needs. In the industrial and warehousing segment, Connect Park is one of our ongoing projects, marking an important step in expanding our portfolio into this growing sector.
Each project has contributed to UniMax’s growth in its own way, whether by strengthening customer trust, enhancing our execution experience, or expanding our capabilities across different segments of real estate. Together, these projects have helped us build a more diversified portfolio and create a strong foundation for our next phase of growth.
What is the development philosophy that guides UniMax World when entering a new segment or developing a new project? How do you balance location, design, functionality, quality, and long-term value creation?
For us, every new project starts with understanding the location, the people we are building for, and the purpose the development needs to serve. We look at the fundamentals first, including location, connectivity, design, functionality, and quality, and then shape the project around them.
For me, creating value has always been about more than simply building property. A home carries emotion. It represents security, aspirations, memories, and often years of hard work for a family. That is why we believe good development should not only look impressive, but also be practical, thoughtfully planned, and built to deliver lasting value.
Ultimately, our aim is to create developments that people feel proud to own and can genuinely connect with, spaces that remain relevant, useful, and valuable over the long term. If our customers feel that we have lived up to the trust they placed in us, that is what meaningful development means to me.
How have the profile and expectations of today’s real estate consumer changed? How is UniMax World responding to evolving demands around design, amenities, sustainability, technology, and lifestyle?
Today’s homebuyer is much more informed and has higher expectations than before. People are not simply looking for a property; they are looking at how a space will fit into their lifestyle, how they will use it every day, and what kind of experience it will offer their family.
At UniMax, we are responding to this shift by paying greater attention to practical design, quality, amenities, and the overall living experience. Technology also has an important role to play, particularly where it can make homes more convenient and efficient. At the same time, sustainability and responsible development are becoming increasingly important considerations.
Ultimately, I believe the best way to respond to changing expectations is to listen closely to what customers value and then translate those insights into developments that genuinely improve everyday living.
Could you share some of the upcoming projects currently in UniMax’s pipeline? What are the locations, development segments, and key differentiators that we can look forward to?
Looking ahead, UniMax World has an exciting pipeline across multiple segments and locations. On the residential front, we have upcoming projects in Dombivli and Karjat, while our redevelopment portfolio includes opportunities across Juhu, Powai, Malabar Hill, Bandra, Vile Parle, Nerul, Vashi, Belapur and Panvel.
In the commercial segment, we are looking at an upcoming project in Dombivli. We are also expanding our presence in the industrial and warehousing segment with a project in Taloja.
What is particularly encouraging for us is the diversity of this pipeline. It gives us an opportunity to work across different markets and development formats while continuing to build on our experience. As we move forward, our focus will be on executing these projects well and ensuring that each development is aligned with the needs and potential of its location.
How is UniMax World integrating sustainability, technology and contemporary design into its current and upcoming developments?
At UniMax, we see sustainability, technology, and contemporary design as integral to the way we develop a project, rather than as separate features added later. Each element has to serve a purpose and contribute to how the development performs and how people experience it.
Our focus is on thoughtful planning, efficient use of resources, contemporary design, and the right use of technology wherever it can genuinely improve convenience, efficiency, or the overall experience. As part of our commitment to environmentally responsible development, we are also pursuing a Gold Category certification from IGBC (Indian Green Building Council). This reflects our intent to incorporate more sustainable and environmentally conscious practices into our planning and development approach, with a focus on resource efficiency, responsible construction, and creating healthier, more sustainable spaces.
For me, the test is quite simple. A development should work well for the people using it today, while also being efficient, responsible, and adaptable enough to serve its purpose well into the future. Our aim is to create developments that are not only contemporary and efficient, but also more mindful of their impact on the environment and the communities around them.
The Indian real estate landscape is evolving rapidly, with new growth corridors and changing urban aspirations. Which segments and markets do you see offering the strongest opportunities for UniMax World over the next five to ten years?
Over the next five to ten years, we see strong potential in the residential and industrial plot and warehousing segments. On the residential side, our focus will be on identifying emerging locations with strong connectivity, infrastructure growth, and long-term potential.
At the same time, we see significant opportunities in industrial plots and warehousing, driven by the growing need for organised industrial and logistics infrastructure. We believe these segments complement our residential business well and give us an opportunity to build a more diversified portfolio.
Our approach will be to enter markets selectively, with a strong focus on location, execution, and creating long-term value rather than simply expanding our footprint.
What is your vision for UniMax World? What would you like the company to be recognised for as it enters its next phase of growth?
Looking ahead, my ambition is not simply to make UniMax World bigger. I want to build an organisation that can grow significantly while staying grounded in the values we started with.
I would like UniMax to be recognised for trust, quality, and the way we treat the people who are part of our journey, whether they are our customers, employees, or partners. As we grow, creating more opportunities and livelihoods is something that is personally important to me.
Real estate will continue to evolve, and I believe our ability to adapt, learn, and keep improving will be critical to our success. At the same time, I want us to remain conscious of the responsibility that comes with what we build. If, over time, people associate UniMax with developments they are proud to be part of and a company they can genuinely trust, I would consider that a meaningful measure of our success.
