ADVERTISEMENT

Terra Grande amidst the hills of Rishikesh is an address shaped by the landscape

With sweeping views of the Ganga valley and a design language rooted in its surroundings, the modern hillside retreat is shaped by ease and quiet luxury.

Harper's Bazaar India

There is something about a home in the hills that at once changes one’s mood. The air feels different, the light softens, and the days seem to move at an easier pace. Terra Grande by Eldeco, in Narendra Nagar, leans into exactly that feeling.

Set just above Rishikesh, with the Ganges below and the hills stretching out around it, the project has a setting that does much of the work on its own. Following the success of Terra Grande’s first project in Sirmaur, this second chapter unfolds with a deeper sense of place, carrying forward the same philosophy into a landscape that feels both grounding and expansive.


Terra Grande–Narendra Nagar by Eldeco is a collection of 4-5 BR luxury villas, shaped by Eldeco’s 35-year legacy and 200+ projects across 21 cities. Set nearly 4,000 feet above the Himalayan foothills, each home has been planned with a real understanding of the land, allowing the hillside to shape the experience rather than simply frame it.

The large windows, terraces and balconies keep the landscape present through the day, framing the Ganga valley and the shifting light beyond, but the architecture itself is fairly restrained – not trying to overpower the setting, which feels like the right choice. In a place like this, the landscape should remain central.

The interior spaces, too, seem to follow the same instinct. The use of materials combines local stone, wood, brass, and copper, with subtle nods to regional motifs and textiles. Stone underfoot, timber-lined ceilings, stone plinths that anchor the homes to the earth, and details such as Likhai-inspired joinery add a quiet depth to the spaces. There is a sense of warmth and clarity in the interior spaces. It is rooted without being heavy, and modern without forgetting where it is.


It is an important balance to maintain. Homes in the hills often become too styled, or too obviously “rustic” in a way that feels forced. Terra Grande seems to avoid that. Instead, it offers spaces that feel calm, liveable and properly thought through. Even the more intimate attic spaces and the subtle rhythm created by shifting proportions from one part of the villa to another seem designed less for effect and more for ease.

Today, more and more people are looking for homes that not only have aesthetic value, but also a different kind of lifestyle, one that promotes more privacy, less noise, fresher, cleaner air away from the pollution of the big cities, and a little more breathing space. And that is what makes this project relevant: the kind of life it promotes. It is a project in tune with the kinds of homes people are looking for today, whether as a second home or a primary residence away from the city, yet not too far.


The design continues this relationship with the land rather than imposing on it. Built on a steep hillside, the homes follow the slope in a way that feels considered and unforced. Local stone, thermally efficient construction, and passive design strategies help maintain comfort while allowing the natural setting to remain undisturbed. Beyond the built spaces, native planting and careful landscape planning help the homes ease gently into their surroundings.

It is not positioned as somewhere impossibly remote, cut off from the bustling major cities. Approximately 45 minutes from Dehradun Airport and a little less than 4 hours by car from the national capital, it boasts convenient connectivity. Couple this with a gated setting, managed homes, lower-density planning and the comforts expected of a contemporary luxury address, and one has a second home nestled in the mountains, next to the spiritual and yoga capital of the world, surrounded by nature and the serenity its sounds bring to the soul. And perhaps most importantly, clean air.


All of that matters because the appeal of a place like this lies as much in ease as in escape. In the end, Terra Grande is not only about a hillside location, though that is clearly a large part of its charm. It is about a home that feels quieter, more spacious and more considered. If you are ready to experience this unique combination of tranquillity and thoughtful design, consider making Terra Grande your next home or retreat.

All images: The brand

Also read: Here's why everyone wants to have a 'French Sunday'

Also read: Bazaar Buzz: The latest in art, entertainment, and the culinary world

ADVERTISEMENT