In a world where markets fluctuate and trends fade fast, Goa continues to hold its own, calm, consistent, and quietly rewarding. Over the past few years, the state has transformed from a holiday haven into a long-term home for investors, NRIs, and global citizens seeking both value and meaning. Few have influenced this transformation as decisively as Bennet & Bernard, a brand synonymous with bespoke living, architectural prowess, and enduring style. In an interview, Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues, Chairman & Founder, Bennet & Bernard and Lindsay Bernard Rodrigues, CEO and Co-Founder, Bennet & Bernard highlights why Goa continues to be a safe bet as they continue to redefine luxury in harmony with nature. Within just a few years of their venture, the brother’s duo had scored an array of award-winning projects.
Q. Bennet & Bernard has become synonymous with Goa’s most distinctive homes. What sets the brand apart?
We’ve never seen ourselves as developers in the conventional sense. We consider ourselves storytellers, curators of spaces that evoke emotion and memory. Every Bennet & Bernard home has its own soul, shaped by its context and character. From the way the light filters through an old banyan tree to the rhythm of a shaded verandah, we design for experience rather than display. We understand Goan culture, character, landscape, demography, and architecture more minutely than most. Over the years, we’ve crafted distinctive villas, each designed with individuality and timelessness. For us, luxury is not about extravagance; it's about closeness, spaces that feel intensely personal and eternally relevant.
Q. In volatile markets, why is Goan land considered a safer long-term bet?
Goa’s real estate market is rooted in rarity. Land is limited here, laws are tight, and the state's geographical limits inherently prevent over-supply. That shortage has ensured that property prices have remained remarkably consistent over time, especially in heritage laden villages such as Assagao, Siolim, and Moira. Buyers are drawn to Goa’s character, to mornings filled with birdsong, tree shaded lanes, and a slower, more human rhythm of life. This blend of stability, beauty, and culture is what makes owning a home in Goa an enduring choice, both emotionally and economically. With well-planned infrastructure, environment-friendly expansion, and the option of renting out, Goa offers investors both pleasure and prudence.
Q. Why are expats, NRIs, and HNIs returning to Goa for cultural living and investment returns?
For many global Indians, Goa represents the perfect reconciliation between modern comfort and cultural rootedness. The architecture feels authentic, the food and community have soul, and yet, the homes meet international standards of design and sustainability. People are looking for an abode that rejuvenates, re-energises, and allows them to unwind and relax. Those who have lived in Singapore or London are returning not only because of the beaches but because of a sense of belonging, a space where they can relive heritage without compromising on sophistication. Combine this with a proven history of property appreciation and a growing global demand for Goan luxury, and it is easy to understand why this coastal state remains an alluring destination for those in search of both meaning and returns. Also, with its unique package of blue seas, white sands, vintage architecture, fusion cuisine, and an unmatched cultural blend, Goa remains India’s tourism capital and a natural hub for luxury homes.
Q. Village villas are now more sought after than beachside properties. What’s driving that shift?
It’s a natural evolution of taste. Beachside homes, while glamorous, come with challenges, limited space, exposure to sea air, and high maintenance. Village villas, on the other hand, provide peace and proportions. One gets bigger plots of land, more lush environs, and genuine authenticity that beach belts can no longer offer. These are homes designed for year-round living, not seasonal escapes. They breathe easier, feel more private, and age gracefully. Today’s discerning buyers are seeking space, stillness, and the slow luxury of living amidst nature, and that’s exactly what Goa’s villages offer.
Q. Sustainability and luxury once seemed contradictory. How do you blend them seamlessly?
Since inception, environmental stewardship has been a core commitment at Bennet & Bernard. We’ve mastered the fine art of maintaining a balance between design and purpose, offering the highest levels of comfort down to every last detail. For us, sustainability is not an aesthetic choice, it’s a responsibility. Our earlier collaboration with TERI on aquaculture projects in Goa was an extension of this ethos: giving back to nature that sustains us. In our projects, we prioritize natural light, cross-ventilation, and preservation of original green cover. Locally available laterite, lime plaster, shaded courtyards, and climate-sensitive layouts ensure homes are both timeless and resilient. True elegance must coexist with environmental consciousness. Sustainability, to us, is about respect, restraint, and harmony.
Q. How have the expectations of luxury buyers evolved in recent years?
Today’s luxury buyer is thoughtful, not flamboyant. What their home needs to be is a reflection of who they are, an extension of self, not stature. Flexible spaces have become essential: a study that transforms into a meditation corner, or a guest suite that doubles as a creative studio. They value vastu-aligned floor plans, sustainable finishes, and customized design elements that feel intimate matter most. Above all, they seek homes that foster balance, in which luxury is not defined by size, but by the quality of living it provides.
Luxury housing is entering a new paradigm where sustainability and exclusivity will be key. The segment, catering to a select and sophisticated class of buyers, is set to grow rapidly. Future homes will emphasize innovation, green design, and meaningful outdoor spaces, verandahs, patios, and decks that function as extensions of the home, allowing residents to connect with nature while enjoying comfort and privacy. As a premium developer, we always strive to build homes balanced on space, modern amenities, privacy, and oneness with nature. Every Bennet & Bernard home is crafted to perfection, where every element is detailed to exceed the most discerning standards. We believe that true luxury stems from exclusivity, hence each project has its own story.
Q. Why has unique Architecture been so paramount for Bennet & Bernard since beginning?
Architectural landscape plays a significant role in real estate today. More so in Goa, because this is where the east meets west with elegance. It influences and interacts positively with society. Bennet and Bernard have created a niche with unique style where you feel a distinctive sense of space and grandeur the moment you enter any of its projects. Over the years, the company has delivered many exclusive homes in Goa that are highly appreciated for their architecture and high standards of aesthetics, be it the Spanish or Portuguese-styled villas or duplex condominiums and penthouses in a French château-styled structure. None of the designs are ever repeated, making each project exclusively unique for every owner.
Q. Looking ahead, what is your vision for Bennet & Bernard’s future and legacy?
Our vision remains simple yet profound: to create homes that endure, emotionally, architecturally, and environmentally. Goa will always be our heart, but we’re also exploring boutique hospitality and bespoke developments in destinations that share its soul, places where culture, community, and craft converge. Internationally, the company is looking at a few hand-picked locations, which is currently work in progress. Our forays in Portugal, to take one instance, resonate the same DNA: spaces that are based in heritage but designed for tomorrow. Finally, we would like Bennet & Bernard to represent a form of luxury that is responsible, significant, and memorable, where each home we design becomes not merely a home, but a legacy that speaks for itself.
