Johar Town is one of Lahore’s most upscale residential areas. Its main claim to fame, from a commercial point of view, is the three kilometre long Abdul Haque Road, which stretches between Canal Bank Road and Nazaria-e-Pakistan Avenue. This Road bustles with shopping activity in the weeks leading up to Ramazan and Eid.
A developing commercial zone….. Previously known for its its sprawling mansions and landscaped lawns, the Road is now home to corporate offices, exhibition venues (including the Lahore International Expo Centre) as well as cafes, ice-cream parlours and trendy bookstores. The good news, if you are a foodie, is that with the rapid establishment of residential projects in the Town, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of restaurants located there,offering a mix of design and international cuisine, with special deals for sehri and iftar.
Shop till you drop…. If you walk down Abdul Haque Road, you will see scores of retail outlets offering everything under the sun – from fabric, jewellery, fashion accessories to home decor essentials.a. However, it is the decades-old Sunday Bazaar – offering groceries and dates at wholesale prices – that remains the star attraction, especially during Ramazan. A stone’s throw away from the Sunday Bazaar is the G1 Market, believed to be the oldest commercial pocket in Johar Town, which caters to the daily grocery needs of residents.
The real estate take…. Residential property options primarily consist of houses built on large plots. Commercial property options are a mix of standalone shops, retail spaces in high and low-rise buildings and corporate offices of MNCs. In the last three years, commercial property prices and rentals have increased by nearly 20 and 30% respectively. Despite this increase, prices are lower compared to some of Lahore’s more upscale areas such as Gulberg and Mall Road.
In a nutshell…. Originally developed as a premium priced residential neighbourhood, the recent investor interest in commercial development in Johar Town has led to the establishment of recreational and fine-dining options, not to mention several bazaars, that have become the go-to spots for Ramazan and Eid shopping.
By Moneeza Burney