Highrise buildings were rare found only in the prime localities of metro cities like Mumbai. However, cities like Mumbai have geographical constraints and the rising urban population and limited land availability made vertical growth necessary. In 2019, the state government of Maharashtra reduced FSI premium making highrise construction financially viable for developers. This resulted in the development of highrises all over the Mumbai Metropolitan region to accommodate the rising demand for housing.

Living in high rises is now a trend as it is perceived to be premium. However, it has its own pros and cons. In this blog, we will compare living in highrise and lowrise buildings.

High Rise buildings

Buildings that have more than 10 to 15 storeys are classified as highrise buildings.

Pros

• Panoramic Views – This is the most obvious reason that makes highrise buildings desirable to most home buyers. Highrises give panoramic views of the horizon due to their height. Highrise flats in Dahisar East give beautiful views of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and surrounding hills.
• Increased density – Highrises can accommodate many residents which is required in densely populated cities like Mumbai.
• Amenities – Highrises are categorized as premium properties and often come with luxurious amenities and premium facilities
• Security – Highrises are modern structures with advanced security systems like CCTV surveillance access control and security personnel

Cons

• Costly – Highrise buildings are expensive to build and maintain increasing the monthly expense
• Elevators – It is inconvenient to move up and down highrises without elevators. If the elevators break down it can cause difficulty for residents
• Noise and Disruption – Construction of highrise buildings causes severe noise and air pollution
• Emergency evacuation – Evacuating highrise buildings is a challenge during emergencies and may result in damage to life and property

Low Rise buildings

Low rise buildings are buildings with less than 7 to 8 storeys

Pros

• Lower cost – Lowrise buildings are easier to build and maintain
• Better accessibility – The staircase is an option during emergencies reducing the stress and difficulty
• Peaceful – Lowrise buildings do not create noise and air pollution during construction
• Easy Evacuation – It is easier to evacuate a lowrise building during emergencies

Cons

• Limited Views – Lowrise buildings do not offer spectacular views like highrise buildings
• Lower density – Lowrise buildings offer accommodation to fewer people which is a disadvantage in dense locations
• Amenities – Lowrise buildings have lesser amenities since they cannot include amenities on highrise floors

The choice between lowrise and highrise buildings is a personal one and residents must choose as per their preferences.