Feature on IT real estate in Tamil Nadu

Tower III: bigger and better

Chennai-based R R Industries is completing work on RR Tower III, an exclusive, environment-friendly workplace for software companies, writes G Sankaranarayanan

The RR Tower III facility will be on par with the Tidel Park when it comes to infrastructure standards and quality R Ravi Managing Director RR Industries

RR Industries, a closely-held public limited company, is in the business of providing state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities on long-term rentals to software companies since 1997.

"In that year we first built a 40,000 sq.ft. facility: RR Tower I, and in 2000-01, an 80,000 sq.ft. facility, RR Tower II, both for Alcatel," says R Ravi, managing director. "With RR Tower III, a 2-lakh sq.ft. facility for the IT sector, we are providing 150 percent back-up power. Basic features like good elevation, fire-fighting equipment, wet raisers, sprinklers and smoke detectors will be provided. Actually, it is going to be a plug-and-play environment equipped with data and voice cabling systems," he says.

RR Tower III will house two ATMs, a business centre, an auditorium which can accommodate around 300 people, and parking facilities on two floors. There will be three service providers of Internet and telephones operating within the premises.

RR Tower III will have a built-up space of 1,60,000 sq.ft. with an additional area of 32,000 sq.ft. exclusively reserved for parking. The building will be an eight-storied structure, with each floor of 16,000 sq.ft. aggregating to 1,44,000 sq.ft., together with a terrace of equal area of 16,000 sq.ft. reserved and equipped for a cafeteria, thus aggregating to 1,60,000 sq.ft.

Ravi lists some of the unique features of RR Tower III: "Our carpet area will be about 80 percent of the super-built-up area. There will be three 20-passenger high-speed elevators and a one-tonne service elevator. Flooring is to be covered with marble in the lobbies and stairways, and there will be grano flooring in the operational areas to go with carpeting. We will be installing two 750 KVA generators."

"In short, the facility will be on par with the Tidel Park when it comes to the infrastructure standards and quality," he says and adds, 'As an additional precaution to cut out the heat and sound, all the windows are made of heavy-duty double-glazed sealed windows. In addition, the top ceiling is insulated at the under deck. These save air-conditioning costs by at least 25 percent.'

RR Industries is certified as an "infrastructure provider" under STPI. RR Industry's previous projects, RR Tower I & II, were constructed in a phased manner between 1998 and 2003, and with an ultimate book cost of Rs 1,482.93 lakh. These towers have a total built-up area of about 1,25,000 sq.ft. The infrastructure is occupied by leading IT companies such as Alcatel Development Corporation, Element K, Lapiz Digital Services, and Aithnet Technologies.

Says Ravi, "We offer concessional packages for medium-sized companies as an incentive for them to stay longer with us.' RR Towers III will provide incubator-like built-up spaces of 800-1000 sq.ft. area at comparatively low prices to small and medium companies.

As to future projects, Ravi says, "We have already acquired a three-acre plot of land near Perungudi to build a 5-lakh sq.ft. facility next year." According to him, the present government is proactive. "We do not face any problems or delays in obtaining clearances. The entire approval processes are hassle-free." However, he stresses the importance of creating good road connectivity. "We have enough roads but they lack quality. Even if we have single-lane roads, that's fine, but they should boast of world-class quality," he says.