A two-lane state highway bustling with upmarket residential properties– what could be so enticing about just a simple highway? Lots, it turns out. From a series of village roads to a National Highway, the transformation of East Coast Road (ECR) has been nothing short of remarkable.
ECR runs along the coast of Bay of Bengal and connects Chennai to other cities like Cuddalore and Puducherry. Starting from Thiruvanmiyur, the road offers a plethora of entertainment avenues, which coupled with the unruffled atmosphere has upped the ante of this region.
Did You Know?
Labelled as the Venice of Chennai by the residents, the total length of ECR is 690km.
Commute
ECR serves as an arterial road connecting various southern suburbs of the city. Further, it also enjoys proximity to the OMR (IT Corridor) that runs parallel to it. Chennai’s Central Railway Station is situated about 27km from here, while the International Airport is at a distance of 22km and can be reached within 40 minutes via the Inner Ring Road.
Lifestyle
Peaceful surrounding with well-developed social, civic, and physical infrastructure, ECR offers a relaxed lifestyle to its residents. Between the Chennai – Kanyakumari range, the East Coast Road is dotted with resorts and beach houses. The infrastructure development along this route strikes a delicate balance with the prevalent lush greenery, and the sea provides a pleasant cross breeze that staves off the polluting atmosphere. The beach along the coast is a prime location for people to hang out, do exercises and relax from the stresses of the day.
Lastly, the epithet of “entertainment hub’’ explains all about this elongated stretch.
Eating Out
There is no shortage of restaurants and hotels along the ECR, and one can find small eateries, cafés, branded coffee shops, fast food joints as well as high-end restaurants.
Top Projects
Schools/Educational Institutions
- Sri SankaraVidyashramam Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Manuelmony Matriculation School
- Corporation Primary School
- National Institute of Business Management (NIBM)
- The English Kindergarten
Hospitals
- ESI Corporation
- Mosjos Health Care and Research Foundation and Charitable Trust
- Medcorridor
- Lakshmi Maternity Hospital
The Real Estate Market
ECR initially started as the preferred destination for weekend homes. However, owing to its serene settings and fast connectivity to Chennai, ECR quickly transformed into a high-end residential locality. Today, several luxury villas and posh apartment complexes dot the stretch.
The average property prices are in the range of Rs 6,500-9,100 per sq. ft.
What to Expect
The East Coast Road has all the infrastructure required for comfortable living. With increasing demand, the property values have also recorded a consistent rise over the last few years. With several new real estate projects launched every year, the real estate potential of ECR looks bright.