Mana Projects: Transforming Bangalore's Skyline with Sustainable "Imagineering"
In the year 2000, as Bangalore's IT boom began to accelerate, D. Kishore Reddy saw more than just high-rises—he saw a massive gap in the quality of living spaces. Despite having a background in hospitality and zero experience in construction, Reddy launched Mana Projects. Today, the company is a real estate giant, having transformed over 4.5 million square feet of the city's skyline with a focus on sustainable, nature-infused "Imagineering."
Reddy's journey is a masterclass in resilience and organic scaling. Starting with humble 20-unit projects and relying on family "angel investors" for initial capital, he has steered Mana Projects through the 2008 global financial crisis, demonetization, and the COVID-19 pandemic. By reinvesting nearly every rupee of profit back into the business for a decade, he has built an organization that is now poised to develop 15 million square feet in the next five years.
The Philosophy of "Imagineering"
At the heart of Mana Projects is Imagineering—a unique blend of imagination and engineering. It's about designing Living Spaces that aren't just concrete boxes, but sustainable ecosystems that bring nature back into urban environments. This includes:
- Vertical Gardens: Integrating greenery into high-rise facades.
- Large Terraces: Giving apartment dwellers the feel of an independent house.
- Sustainable Materials: Focusing on green-home concepts since 2014.
- Convertible Homes: Innovative designs with mobile walls for flexible living.
From Restaurants to Real Estate: A Humble Beginning
Kishore Reddy's entrepreneurial journey didn't start with land—it started with restaurants. Born in nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and a resident of Bangalore for over three decades, he spent his early career in the hospitality industry. But the year 2000 marked a turning point. He noticed the influx of IT professionals into Southeast Bangalore and the lack of quality housing that met their aspirations.
"Initially, there were n number of challenges because I was moving into a new industry... I had to learn a lot of things and have consultants help," Reddy recalls. His first two projects—located on Old Madras Road and near Bellandur—were small, 28-unit developments. Lacking bank funding as a new entity, he relied on internal accruals and his uncle, who provided land as a joint development to lower capital requirements.
"Real estate is a capital-intensive industry. For the first two projects, you have to have internal accruals or angel investors. We reinvested everything for almost a decade—that's how we were able to scale step-by-step."
Surviving the Storms: 2008 and Beyond
The 2008 housing bubble was a test of fire for Bangalore's developers. With the city's economy heavily dependent on the IT sector, the recession hit hard. While many mid-sized firms scaled down or laid off staff, Reddy took a contrarian approach. He used the "low time" to take on external contracting jobs to keep his team engaged and trained for the next wave.
"We turned that recession period into our advantage," Reddy explains. By the time the market recovered in late 2008, Mana Projects had doubled its team size and was mentally prepared to take on larger-scale projects. This resilience was repeated during the 2016 demonetization and the GST rollout, where the company focused on maintaining its commitment to transparency and quality even as sentiments dipped.
The Mana Projects Growth Curve
- 2000: Launched with two 28-unit projects (Bellandur & Old Madras Road).
- 2004: Achieved "continuous cycle" operations with projects at every stage of construction.
- 2008: Survived the global crisis by taking on external contracting and training the core team.
- 2014: Introduced the "Green Home" concept with Mana Seldon.
- 2020-2023: Post-COVID expansion with a focus on larger, "convertible" homes like Mana Capital.
- Future: Target of 15 million square feet development in 5 years.
The "Post-COVID" Shift: Larger Spaces and Kitchen Gardens
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered consumer behavior in Bangalore's real estate market. As remote work became the norm, IT professionals began seeking larger Living Spaces. Reddy observed a clear trend: people who were once looking for compact 2BHKs were now demanding 3BHKs or Villas with dedicated study rooms and open terraces.
Mana Projects responded with innovative features like kitchen gardens and mobile walls. Their project "Mana Capital," which featured convertible homes, saw tremendous response. "People want to have a feel of living in an independent house. We brought in more larger terraces, more garden spaces, and greenery so they don't miss out," Reddy notes.
Building Trust in a High-Stakes Industry
In the startup world, "fail fast" is a common mantra. In real estate, a mistake can be catastrophic. "Mistakes are costly... Constructing 10 floors and stopping due to land dispute is not an option," Reddy says. To mitigate this, Mana Projects has been obsessively diligent in procuring land without litigations and relying on senior mentors and consultants before breaking ground.
This commitment to quality has allowed them to move from "word-of-mouth" sales in their first project to a massive digital marketing engine today. Their client base, primarily consisting of IT professionals, values the transparency and timely delivery that the Mana brand has cultivated over 23 years.
Founder's Guide: Lessons in Scalability
Maintain Continuity: Always have projects at different stages (design, foundation, structure, finishing) to keep contractors and employees engaged throughout the year.
Customer-Centric Focus: You are building homes that last for generations. Quality cannot be compromised.
Reinvest Profit: To scale step-by-step without excessive debt, reinvest your internal accruals back into the business.
The Future of Bangalore: Tier 1 vs. Tier 2
While there is a lot of talk about growth in Tier 2 cities, Kishore Reddy remains bullish on Bangalore's Core. He believes the city's social infrastructure—schools, hospitals, and corporate offices—makes it irreplaceable. The trend is not toward leaving the city, but toward self-sustaining communities in the outskirts, near the Outer Ring Road and the Airport, where large parcels of land allow for holistic living.
As Mana Projects gears up for its next decade of growth, Reddy's vision remains clear: to build landmark projects that aren't just buildings, but symbols of a sustainable urban future. "Achievement has to be there, bringing more uniqueness in your projects and adapting to new technologies," he concludes. For Kishore Reddy, the skyline isn't just a destination—it's a canvas for continual improvement.
About the Guest
D. Kishore Reddy is the Founder of Mana Projects Private Limited. Born in nellore and a resident of Bangalore for over 32 years, he transition from the hospitality sector to real estate in 2000. Under his leadership, Mana Projects has grown from a small family-funded startup to one of Bangalore's most respected real estate giants. He is a proponent of "Imagineering" and sustainable development, and has been instrumental in introducing green-home concepts to the Indian market. His 23-year career is marked by a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and organic, resilient growth.
Mana Projects Private Limited is a leading real estate developer in Bangalore, specializing in residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Known for its innovative designs and focus on sustainable living, the company has completed over 30 projects covering 4.5 million square feet. Their philosophy combines high-quality construction with nature-infused living, making them a preferred choice for Bangalore's growing IT and professional population.