Who Really Owns Connaught Place? A Deep Dive Into Delhi’s Iconic CP, Its Rent Prices, Century-Old Leases, Government Ownership And Hidden Historic ...

Nestled smack in the beating heart of India’s capital, Connaught Place — or “CP,” as every Delhiite affectionately abbreviates it — is a district that deserves its own passport stamp. It is not simply a commercial hub, nor merely a colonial relic polished to modern shine. CP is an ecosystem; a grand, concentric swirl of commerce, culture, memory, and occasionally, mild chaos. Stand in the middle of the inner circle and you’ll witness a ballet of taxis, tourists, bankers, bargain hunters, and the ever-present pigeons who seem to have negotiated a permanent lease of their own. For nearly a century, CP has been Delhi’s social compass — the place where first dates began, business deals materialised, shopping sprees took flight, and political gossip

brewed stronger than the coffee. It began as a showpiece of British planning in 1929, built to lend New Delhi the same stately gravity as London or Bath. Today, the white colonnades house international brands, indie cafés, legacy bakeries, and institutions older than most of its visitors. But behind its gleaming façade lies a story far stranger, more layered, and far more entertaining than most realise. Because the real question — who actually owns Connaught Place, and how much do people really pay to occupy these coveted arches — is wrapped in intrigue, loopholes, and some of the most unusual rent structures in the country. If you’ve ever wondered how CP straddles old-world charm and billion-rupee commercial value without missing a beat, fasten your metaphorical seatbelt. There’s a delightful tangle of history, ownership mysteries, and urban wonders waiting beneath those signature white balconies.

The Man, the Myth, the Map: Who Built Connaught Place?

Before the British set their sights on giving New Delhi a commercial centre to rival Europe’s finest, the area where CP stands was little more than an indifferent stretch of scrubland. Kikar trees grew in untamed patches. Monkeys swung around like casual landlords. There was no reason for anyone except wandering livestock to linger there. Then came 1929 — a transformation year marked in the city’s architectural memory. As part of the grand plan to build imperial New Delhi, the British administration commissioned a central marketplace intended to be both functional and impressive. According to The Economic Times, architect Robert Tor Russell took charge of the blueprint, drawing inspiration from England’s Royal Crescent in Bath and even the Roman Colosseum. Russell wasn’t working alone; he was joined by Nicholas — a quieter figure in historical records but essential to shaping CP’s iconic neoclassical curves. Together, they erected what would soon become the crown jewel of British India’s urban vision. Two circles, 12 blocks, stately columns, sweeping radial roads — CP was born like a metropolitan mandala carved out of symmetry and swagger.

Who Really Owns Connaught Place? A Story of Leases, Legacy, and Legal Quirks

Now here’s where things get deliciously complicated. On paper, the ownership of Connaught Place is as clean-cut as a government ledger. The land and structures belong to the Government of India. Straightforward, right? Well, only until you peel back the layers and discover the labyrinth beneath. During British rule, many units in CP were leased out to private individuals and businesses. These leases — often 99 years long, sometimes longer — were surprisingly affordable. And here’s the twist: a good number of them still stand today. Some heirs of original leaseholders continue to pay rents that would make modern landlords faint. According to News18, some CP units operate on rents as low as Rs 100 per month. Yes, per month. The entire space likely costs less than a single plate of dim sum you may have eaten at a swanky CP restaurant. Even more intriguing is how several enterprising businessmen of the 1930s leased multiple shops at once, unknowingly building real estate empires that their descendants now inherit — still under century-old agreements, still ludicrously inexpensive. So when someone says their family “owns a shop in CP,” what they often mean is that they possess a super-valuable leasehold, not the actual land. The government owns the bones; the tenants own the rights that matter.

So, What’s the Rent in Connaught Place Today?

If your jaw hasn’t dropped yet, this might do the trick. For businesses entering CP now, the rent is a whole different universe compared to those legacy leases. As reported by News18 in 2024, renting retail space in CP can cost anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 700 per square foot per month, depending on whether you’re in the inner or outer circle. While big brands fork out astronomical sums every month, some lucky old tenants still pay rates that sound like they belong in black-and-white films. The rise in CP’s commercial value has been nothing short of explosive. According to The Economic Times, CP saw a 33% year-on-year jump in high street retail rentals in 2023 — the highest among India’s Tier-1 cities. Imagine sipping a cappuccino that costs more per day than what the landlord shells out monthly to occupy the same space. It’s the kind of irony CP wears proudly, like an inside joke between generations.

What Else Makes CP So Special? Hidden Gems and Historic Firsts

There’s more to CP than its real estate theatrics. It is a trove of peculiarities and firsts that often slip under the radar. Here are some delightful nuggets that enrich its legacy:

The Giant Flag in Central Park

Standing tall at 60 feet by 90 feet, the Indian flag at CP’s Central Park is among the largest in the country. Visible from multiple vantage points, it unfurls like a proud banner welcoming everyone to the heart of Delhi.

Delhi’s First Luxury Hotel

Just around the bend on Janpath, New Delhi’s first luxury hotel opened in 1931. It was a beacon of colonial opulence — polished wood, bustling bellhops, and chandeliers that sparkled with ambition.

The Kashmere Gate Connection

The earliest shopkeepers of CP weren’t elite merchants. They were hardworking traders from Kashmere Gate, who expanded their family businesses southwards, long before the area became fashionable.

Palika Bazar: The Underground Maze

Below CP lies Palika Bazar, an underground shopping labyrinth selling everything from electronics to faux designer perfumes. It has been the unofficial headquarters of bargain hunters since the 1970s.

Janpath: The Bohemian Add-on

Adjacent to CP, Janpath buzzes with embroidered jackets, Tibetan curios, tribal jewellery, and second-hand books. A true bazaar of delight for anyone with patience and a good bargaining voice.

The CP Paradox: Old World Charm Meets Billion-Rupee Commerce

Connaught Place is a paradox that continues to thrive year after year. Many landlords, bound by ancient agreements, earn rents that barely cover electricity bills. Yet their tenants — global franchises, banks, boutiques — generate crores in annual revenue. It’s an economic oddity unique to CP, where British-era leases still quietly nudge modern capitalism. You could call it unfair, or fortunate, or just one of those quirks that makes CP an irreplaceable chapter in India’s urban narrative. Because in this dazzling white carousel of arches and avenues, history isn’t just remembered — it is lived, inherited, and often paid for at astonishingly low prices.