The Delhi Land and Finance Limited (DLF) was founded by Chaudhary R. Singh in 1946. When the Delhi Development Authority banned private real estate development from the city’s premises in 1957, DLF acquired land in those areas that today form the emerging cities of Gurugram (formerly known as Gurgaon) and Noida. Over the years, the development of these areas into residential complexes, special economic zones (SEZs), as well as retail and office properties transformed the company into one of the leading developers across the country. As of 2021, DLF was by far the leading developer by market capitalization.
Besides its IPL-sponsorship, DLF is also known for its vast and luxurious shopping malls across India, such as the DLF Mall of India in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. As the company’s portfolio spans over nearly all segments related to real estate, from residential buildings to data storage centers, DLF founded numerous subsidiaries that are specialized in a certain segment. DLF Emporio runs lush shopping malls, DLF Brands supports international retail brands to open stores in India, DLF Golf Resorts manages prime properties, and DLF Construction is responsible for the realization of real estate developments. Economically the most important subsidiary in recent years was DLF Cyber City Developers Limited (DCCDL). It mainly develops commercial properties like IT parks and managed an office area of over 30 million square feet in 2021.
The diversification of the company in various subsidiaries responsible for certain segments shows the company’s ability to see and lead trends within the real estate sector. This was not only true for the transformation of Gurugram from a small town into a vivid city, but also for segments like retail or data centers. As sustainability has become one of the contemporary core topics, DLF is engaged in green construction as well. The above-mentioned Mall of India was known to be the first shopping mall worldwide accredited with the platinum certificate of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). In addition, DLF developed the largest LEED certified building in India, the DLF Camellias residence in Gurugram.
