Home of a sports star

Shreyas Iyer, a seasoned cricket player, embarked on his professional cricketing journey with the U-19 World Cup in 2014. His remarkable career spans several milestones, including record-setting performances in Ranji Trophy matches and a consistent presence on the national team since 2017. Shreyas and his family initially resided in a ground-floor flat in Worli, a bustling neighborhood in Mumbai. However, the location of their home came with its challenges, primarily concerning privacy. This predicament prompted Shreyas to embark on a quest for a new residence, which eventually led him to the impressive Lodha World Towers in Lower Parel, renowned for their striking, curved architectural design.

The new apartment that Shreyas Iyer now calls home boasts four bedrooms, each equipped with its bathroom. In addition to the bedrooms, the flat includes a well-appointed kitchen, a spacious living area, and a dedicated dining space. The total floor area spans a generous 1800 square feet, with the added luxury of a 700-square-foot wraparound balcony.

One of the most striking features of the living space is the seamless integration of the kitchen and living room. A gracefully curved glass wall defines one side, while a practical, rectilinear service area adorns the other. Three of the four bedrooms were initially positioned in a straight line beyond the living room, accessible via a corridor measuring four feet in width and spanning an impressive 32 feet in length. This corridor ultimately led to the master suite, but an immediate challenge emerged—the lack of sufficient space for a wardrobe. This limitation posed a particular concern for Shreyas, who boasts an enviable collection of sneakers and, given his profession, a multitude of bats and cricket kits.

To address these spatial constraints and enhance the overall functionality of the flat, Studio Pomegranate, the design firm tasked with transforming the space, embarked on a two-pronged approach. First, they resolved the unique geometry of the curved structure to create distinct, functional spaces. Second, they sought to establish a fluid continuity between these spaces, enabling them to function seamlessly as a whole. As part of this reconfiguration, the three bedrooms underwent a transformation. They were thoughtfully reimagined to include a den that could convert into a bedroom, a full-sized bedroom, a generously sized walk-in wardrobe, and, of course, the expansive master bedroom—now fully equipped with a wardrobe befitting Shreyas Iyer's needs. Each bedroom in the flat was equipped with an attached bathroom, ensuring both privacy and convenience.

The crux of the flat's design concept revolves around a unique piece of furniture in the living room, aptly referred to as the "y." This distinctive element was carefully situated after identifying the center point of entry into the space. An arc, originating from this central point, delineates the boundaries of the living area. The remaining space was thoughtfully designated as the dining area, featuring a focal point—a circular dining table measuring five feet in diameter. Adjacent to this table, a console was incorporated for the storage of crockery. Nestled between the living and dining areas, a cleverly designed bar emerged, embracing the geometry of both spaces to carve out its unique identity.

While reimagining the flat, the designers also addressed the need to create more livable spaces within the three bedrooms. The middle bedroom was chosen as the focal point for expansion. Its walls were expanded in both directions to increase its overall size. This modification, however, resulted in a slight reduction in size for the last bedroom. This seemingly small sacrifice allowed the designers to transform the reduced bedroom into a spacious walk-in wardrobe, catering perfectly to the needs of the master suite. Meanwhile, the first bedroom was opened up to the living room, essentially merging the two spaces. To maximize functionality, a fold-up bed was introduced, ingeniously concealing a desk within its structure. This thoughtful design choice not only created a comfortable den for Shreyas, replete with trophies and books but also provided a tranquil space to unwind, all while being within arm's reach of the living room.

In terms of materials and finishes, the original flat was outfitted with a marble floor. However, the layout changes necessitated a shift in the flooring material. The design team opted for a stone base, coupled with a hardwood floor that spanned the entire living room, den, kitchen, and dining area. The choice of a solid oak hardwood floor not only brought warmth to the public areas but also introduced a subtle contrast with the darker, comforting teakwood floors in the bedrooms. To further enhance the tactile experience of the space, all wall edges were softly curved, imparting a sense of fluidity to the interior. The walls themselves were painted with a textured paint, contributing to a matte softness throughout the flat.

The master bedroom received special attention, being paneled and clad with a luxurious cloth wallpaper. Within the master suite, a well-planned walk-in wardrobe emerged, designed to efficiently accommodate Shreyas Iyer's extensive collection of shoes. It also features a custom-designed unit crafted to house his cherished cricket bats. An innovative swiveling mirror, complete with a brass frame and integrated lighting, was meticulously designed to add a touch of luxury and practicality.

The furniture within the flat was a blend of custom-designed pieces meticulously crafted by skilled carpenters and carefully selected pieces from respected furniture retailers such as Designbee, Nama Home, and Chesterfield. Lighting fixtures from acclaimed brands like Paul Matter, Shailesh Rajput, and Abner were thoughtfully chosen to illuminate and accentuate the various spaces.

The culmination of these thoughtful design choices is a home that comfortably accommodates Shreyas Iyer, his family, and their guests. With living areas designed to entertain an entire cricket team and their plus ones, the flat effortlessly balances personal space with social functionality. Given Shreyas's demanding travel schedule, the master suite's layout, coupled with the spacious walk-in wardrobe, has proven to be a remarkably convenient and cherished feature for him. The walk-in wardrobe has become Shreyas's favorite retreat within the home, perfectly tailored to his unique needs and lifestyle.

Precis text: 130 words

Shreyas Iyer, a prominent cricketer from the U-19 World Cup in 2014 to his consistent presence on the national team since 2017, sought refuge from privacy issues in his Worli ground-floor flat. He found his ideal retreat in the elegant Lodha World Towers in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

This 1800-square-foot flat, complete with a 700-square-foot balcony, offers four bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. A curved glass wall separates the living room and kitchen. Innovative reconfiguration transformed three bedrooms into a den-bedroom, a full bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, and a spacious master suite.

Key design elements include a "y"-shaped piece of living room furniture and material choices like oak hardwood and teakwood floors. The result is a harmonious blend of personal and social spaces, perfect for Shreyas, his family, and guests.

Details:

Project team: Pranav Naik, Shweta Shah, Neel Davda, Niyati Gala, Ambreen Massey, Rameshwar Bhadwa, PokarRam Jasol.