Interview: Mr. Sahil Virani, Managing Partner, Empire Realty (Virani Group)

Interview with Mr. Sahil Virani, Managing Partner, Empire Realty

Mr. Sahil Virani, Managing partner – Empire realty has a rich vein of experience in the real estate industry.

Post completing his MBA in Marketing and International business from Amity business school (Amity University) in the year 2011, Mr Sahil Virani started his own entrepreneurial Venture called Wisemen realty which achieved massive success as one of the leading real estate mandate firms of Mumbai.

Emerging from a family of developers, Mr. Sahil Virani is now the face of next generation Developers of the industry.

Having a combined wealth of experience of more than 40 years in real estate industry of his family and delivery of more than 10 lac sq. feet.

Mr. Sahil Virani in the year 2018 decided to Re-Brand Virani Group of companies as Empire realty – Virani group which is also now one of the emerging brands in Re-development industry of Mumbai. The company has recently launched new projects in various locations of Borivali and Goregaon.

His sharp financial skills and market knowledge combined has enabled him to undertake various Projects in western suburbs for Re-development.

His ‘Customer first’ policy has reflected well in the market which has helped him to address the Gaps of the industry.

His USP is in marking long term strategies & inventing out of box ideas which has helped him to guide his firm through tough market situations in the past.

His quest for excellence has galvanised his entire organisation where each one of them is working towards achieving success along with best practice, making them a force to reckon with in the industry.

Tell us a little about yourself

Sahil Virani: I hold a major in marketing and international business with expertise in finance from the Amity Global Business School, which is a part of Amity University.

My family has a long history in the construction industry, dating back to 1974 when my grandfather founded Virani Group.

With 10 years of experience in real estate that also involved launching my own company, I am now heading and actively expanding the family business.

Please tell us a little about your entrepreneurial journey

Sahil Virani: After I got my MBA, I went into the real estate business, which was the start of my journey as an entrepreneur.

I worked in real estate sales for about two years before I started my own company, Wisemen Realty. This did well, and we were among the best at mandate sales in Mumbai.

After this happened, I decided to start working in our family business and take it from there. The 10 years I worked in the industry as a distributor helped me when I moved to the production side.

Kindly brief us about Empire Realty, its specialization, and the services that it offers.

Sahil Virani: Empire Realty, formerly known as Virani Group, was one of the first to construct industrial, commercial, and residential complexes in the Dahisar and Borivali belt. Some of the buildings in Dahisar that were built 25 years ago are known for their impeccable construction and come highly recommended.

Empire Realty (Virani Group) views construction as a passion rather than a business. Every single one of its projects spread across 8 lakh sq. feet demonstrates Empire’s dedication.

As its reputation is on the line, the team at Empire Realty takes great care to employ only high-quality components and adhere to rigorous aesthetic criteria.

Founded by Late Shri Shabuddin Ukabhai Virani & his son Shri Mansurbhai Virani, an early adopter of innovative market practices, whose skills in liaising and land acquisition allowed him to lay a solid groundwork and streamline Empire Realty’s entire operation.

With over four decades of expertise, the group has steadily progressed and established itself as a major name in creating premium flats, multi-unit houses, and residential complexes in suburban Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar, and Gujarat.

The company has established a solid reputation and is currently known in the real estate industry for its forward-thinking attitude.

Empire Realty’s portfolio is diverse, spanning not just residential but also commercial and industrial developments.

Buildings by Empire are created to be the best and most attractive in the world. The brand’s commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, coupled with a customer-centric approach, has propelled it to the ranks of the industry’s most trusted developers.

With a focus on the needs of clients and an unwavering commitment to honesty and open communication, Empire Realty provides luxurious, well-thought-out, and technologically advanced living environments.

Empire Realty’s goal is to assist families in leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, and the company does so by constantly constructing iconic structures via the use of cutting-edge methods and tools.

Keeping the company’s finances in order is crucial to its success, and Sahil Virani who is now the face of next generation developer of their family business has been providing that Input for Empire Realty.

In his role, he manages the company as a whole, making important choices, allocating resources, and even taking certain calculated risks.

Empire’s employees put the needs of their clients first in their quest to design environments conducive to contentment throughout one’s entire life.

Empire Realty’s skilled and qualified team of planners, engineers, architects, and legal advisors know the value of a house that individuals dream of for their families, and they want to provide more options for customers to choose from in meeting their property requirements.

Before making an investment in property with Empire, the company guarantees to come up with cost-effective alternatives and provide basic information to take care of all the details.

Empire Realty treats construction not as a job, but as a lifelong pursuit and promises the use of only the highest quality materials, structural design, and aesthetics on any project they take on.

Can you describe your management style and how it has helped shape the success of the company?

Sahil Virani: At Empire, we adhere to an inclusive policy. I believe that everyone should consider themselves a member of the Empire family, whether they are a senior management or a sales associate.

Each of them serves as a touchpoint for us. The policies and values that we represent must trickle down from the executive level to the front lines.

In the end, these individuals are the ones who will interact with our clients, society members, and others.

They should be able to convey what Empire Realty truly stands for, which is only achievable if they are all in sync with the management’s philosophy, and everyone here must be regarded as part of the same flow. 

How does your company approach the acquisition and development of real estate properties?

Sahil Virani: Our attitude to the acquisition and development of real estate for the company has been quite forthright and sincere. This helps eliminate any potential uncertainty in the long run.

I believe mutual trust is necessary for any successful business relationship. This is particularly true for the rehabilitation of existing housing societies.

Trust is of utmost importance from the society’s perspective towards the developer, as they would give their existing dwellings, which are likely the only asset they possess, to a stranger.

Therefore, trust must exist and must be built over time; it does not appear immediately and cannot be acquired from the market.

Here, the history our family has developed over the past 40-45 years has played a significant part in helping us in secure projects.

Can you discuss some of the biggest challenges you have faced and how you overcame them?

Sahil Virani: In the past, project completion or handover delays have been issues that needed attention. The difficulty for any developer is to get inside the heads of the members and convince them that their project is in good hands.

Therefore, we must go the extra mile to ensure they understand. The second obstacle on the market is the problem of oversupply.

Homebuyers have an abundance of options. Consequently, you must ensure that your market positioning is accurate, that the DSTP process is executed correctly, and that you meet all buyer needs. If you are able to accomplish this, you will undoubtedly achieve success.

How does your company stay ahead of the competition in the real estate industry?

Sahil Virani: We believe in two essential business principles. The first is performance. There is no better approach to promote oneself than to be a proven performer.

Therefore, you must complete your commitments on time or ahead of schedule, commercials being an entirely secondary concern.

The second is that your organisation’s policy must be completely transparent with regard to your commitment.

If that condition is met, you will eventually become the preferred brand over your competitors. It is a process that takes time, but if you remain consistent in your approach, you will become an industry achiever.

Can you speak about the importance of innovation and technology in the real estate business?

Sahil Virani: With competition, it is critical to leverage technology and innovation. This gives you an advantage over competition.

When we build houses, we make certain that the most recent technological advancements are incorporated to extend the life of the structure.

Even on the internal amenities side, we have a lot of upgraded security features. Many families are going nuclear right now, and security is a major issue for many, particularly working parents.

As a result, we make certain that the amenities we give within the house meet all of their needs as time passes.

Homebuyers also value updating their lifestyles with the most recent technological advancements. The entire bundle must be appealing to them.

What was the inspiration behind turning an entrepreneur?

Sahil Virani: Being an entrepreneur opens you many opportunities to serve society and give back to the community. People’s basic needs continue to be food, clothing, and shelter.

I consider myself extremely fortunate and proud to work in a field that fulfils basic human needs. For many, owning a house in Mumbai is a dream and for me being able to accomplish that and helping them achieve it gives is a lot satisfying apart from being able to earn. For me that will always be an inspiration behind turning an entrepreneur.

Can you discuss some of the notable projects that the company has completed and your role in their success?

Sahil Virani: Empire’s notable developments include Fressia Rani Bello in Malad East and Victory Heights in Vasai West.

While in the first project I oversaw the sales, operations and marketing, in the second I was responsible for financial closer.

Can you talk about the company’s approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility in real estate development?

Sahil Virani: We have always believed in clean and green technology since it is our responsibility to give back to the earth what we receive.

For me it all starts with how we manage the construction site, what environmental impact it has in the surrounding area, and taking steps to minimise it.

What do you see as the future of the real estate industry, and how is your company positioning itself to stay ahead of the curve?

Sahil Virani: When it comes to selecting a developer, we always want to be regarded the common man’s pick. This is simply because I believe myself to be a member of their group or family.

I constantly evaluate it from their point of view, such as what I would be looking at if I handed over my project to a specific developer.

Looking at it from the other side of the table allows us to be more realistic and provides a more holistic perspective to a variety of issues. Gaining their trust and being able to demonstrate a track record of project delivery are critical.

What are your success tips for young and aspiring entrepreneurs?

Sahil Virani: I believe that hard effort is the only path forward for young and aspiring entrepreneurs. There is no quick fix for success.

So just keep working hard, keep your goals in mind, and make sure to make necessary course corrections.

As time passes, the market changes as well, so make sure to adjust swiftly. To reach your life goals, you must be absolutely clear about your objectives, and if you are honest and solve the difficulties right, nothing in the world can stop you.

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