Sachin set to move in to new bungalow by year-end

After winning the Cup at Wankhede Stadium, perhaps the only accomplishment that had evaded the Little Master throughout his career, Sachin Tendulkar can hope for another of his long-standing dreams to materialise by the end of the year.

After the Sahitya Sahawas residence in Bandra East and his current home in La Mer apartments, he can now move into his own bungalow in Bandra West.

"It wouldn't take much time for Sachin to shift to his dream house in Bandra," city-based architect Prakash Sapre, who is handling the renovation, said. "He may be living in his plush bungalow at Perry Cross Road, a stone's throw from Carter Road, by October."

According to sources from the BMC, the house is nearing completion. A civic official from Building Proposals Department said, "We inspected the site a few days back and the engineering work looks almost complete, without any violations. The architect is now working on the interiors of the house."

"We have yet not discussed the details, but plans for the interiors are ready and work is going on in full force. The happiness is immense after the World Cup win and the probability of Sachin moving in his new home by the end of this year is high," said Sapre.

Sapre's original plan for the four-storey house, which is actually a refashioned villa (see box), has been adhered to. It has a spacious parking lot. The first floor will have two large guest rooms, while the master bedroom and children's rooms will be on the second and third floors, with a swimming pool on the top floor.

Elfin abode
Sachin had purchased the 8,998 sq ft Dorab Villa in Bandra's Perry Cross Road for Rs 39 crore in 2007 from the Satra Group. Reportedly, he is pumping nearly the same amount on its remodelling.  The Villa, which belonged to a Parsi family, the Wardens, was built in 1920.