How RAHUL AGARWAL’s Tellado Realty is crafting homes that honour Goa’s spirit, elevate architectural imagination, and set new benchmarks for luxury living
In the story of Goa’s evolving luxury real-estate sector, few names have risen with as much clarity of purpose and consistency of vision as Tellado Realty. In an industry often crowded with noise, Tellado’s journey stands out for its quiet confidence, uncompromising design language, and an almost philosophical commitment to what a home should truly mean.
From its early sparks in 2012, to its current status as one of Goa’s most admired boutique developers, the Tellado story is not merely about architecture or real estate – it is about crafting identity, honouring place, and elevating lifestyle to art. At its heart is Rahul Agarwal, a founder who believes that good homes can change how people live, breathe, and belong; and that excellence is not a pursuit – it is a responsibility. 
A SPARK THAT BECAME A VISION
The name itself is deliberate and poetic. “Tellado” means roof in Spanish and Galician – a symbol that goes beyond shelter. It represents comfort, safety, aspiration, and a place in the world. This meaning resonates deeply with Agarwal, whose journey into real estate began far earlier than the company itself.
It was in 2012 that the first seed was planted, with Scapes, a 14-villa development in Siolim. Goa’s luxury villa segment was still in its infancy then, largely untested and unexplored. But Agarwal believed in the potential of Goa as a destination for high-end living and rental homes, and the market responded enthusiastically. Personal circumstances eventually led him to exit Scapes – but the creative spark had already taken root.
By 2019, Tellado Villas was born with a bold guiding compass: ethics, design, and service – not as marketing jargon, but as a daily discipline.
From the very first project, Tellado made it clear that it would refuse mediocrity. Whether it was the parabolic roof, the suspended infinity pool, or the pillar-less balcony deck, the design innovations were statements – not of extravagance, but of intent. They announced that Tellado would not follow trends; it would create benchmarks.
This journey also marked the beginning of a powerful creative partnership with architect Jugal Mistri, a collaboration defined by shared values and relentless imagination.
As Tellado breaks ground on its new project, Agarwal reflects with pride, “The original vision remains – and it is stronger than ever.”
REAL ESTATE MEETS HOSPITALITY
Goa has long been one of India’s most beloved tourist destinations, but even as visitor numbers climbed, supply struggled to keep pace. Traditional hotels were not enough. A new class of traveller – seeking privacy, design-led spaces, and immersive experiences – was rising globally.
Airbnb and luxury homestays were transforming hospitality worldwide. In Goa, Tellado saw an opportunity waiting to be shaped. “We realised that if we could extend curated hospitality services within our villas, it would create mutual value for both owners and guests,” Agarwal explains. “But we didn’t want to offer just a ‘3BHK’. We wanted to offer an experience.”
Food, ambience, design, and personalised services became integral to how these villas were lived in, not just bought. This dual focus allowed Tellado’s projects to become more than real estate assets – they became lifestyle destinations!
THE FOCUS ON HIGH-END REAL ESTATE
Goa, Agarwal believes, is not merely a tourist hotspot – it is one of India’s few geographies capable of becoming a globally comparable luxury destination. “As a world-class holiday destination, Goa should attract high-end buyers and travellers,” he says. “That allows for more creative architecture, less crowding, and more beautiful spatial planning.”
There have been dips and fluctuations, he admits, but these are only temporary. The broader trajectory has always pointed upward. “Our expectations have been consistently met,” he affirms.
THE DESIGN EDGE
Design is where Tellado stands unmistakably apart.
Once asked what kind of homes he builds, Agarwal laughed and replied: “The best!”
Behind the humour lies a deep-seated seriousness about design. Every Tellado project must have a distinct identity – no two developments should look or feel the same.
The design palette can range from contemporary to classical to an imaginative fusion, but what it must never become is cluttered, derivative, or – as one architect jokingly described – “Punjabi baroque.”
Smoothness, precision, and elegance drive Tellado’s preferred aesthetic. Rough stone, raw textures, or overly rustic finishes are consciously avoided. What matters most is simple: The buyer should be house-proud.
This guiding principle drives everything – from material selection to lighting plans to spatial flow.
THE GOAN ESSENCE
One of Tellado’s strongest pillars is its reverence for Goa’s cultural and architectural heritage. Agarwal describes Goa not as a backdrop, but as a muse. “Goa’s geography and climate shape everything we create,” he says. “But so do its colours, its history, and its way of life.”
Tellado’s villas often feature: elegantly reimagined clay-tiled roofs, generous overhangs suited to the monsoons, graceful arches, the quintessential Goan Balcão and expansive halls with soaring ceilings.
These elements are not replicated verbatim – they are interpreted, reimagined, and infused with contemporary luxury.
Goa inspires. Tellado listens.
THE LUXURY LANDSCAPE OF GOA
From Tellado’s vantage point, Goa’s luxury real-estate market is still in the process of discovering itself.
To Agarwal, Goa is India’s equivalent of Martha’s Vineyard, the Côte d’Azur, or Tuscany – places where nature, culture, and lifestyle intersect to create magnetic holiday-home destinations for the affluent.
But he believes the market has been somewhat underestimated. “Players have not fully tapped into Goa’s true luxury potential,” he says. “But I believe once the dust settles, the market will move toward bigger, better, and more ambitious projects.” In his view, Goa’s luxury segment is not just growing – it is awakening. 
THE TELLADO CLIENTELE
Who is the Tellado buyer? Not an investor looking for quick returns. Not someone seeking a conventional villa.
The Tellado buyer is typically an end-user – someone who appreciates craftsmanship, spatial elegance, and architectural sophistication. These individuals buy holiday homes that reflect their personalities, passions, and priorities.
Interestingly, Tellado does not predetermine the “use case” of a project. “We don’t say this will be for rentals or this for personal use,” Agarwal explains. “We sketch a profile of the kind of person we imagine will live here – and design for them.”
This human-centric approach is at the core of Tellado’s success.
BUILT ON HONESTY
Real estate thrives on trust – and collapses without it.
For Tellado, transparency is a non-negotiable. Not as a strategy, but as a belief system. “Honesty – Humility – Hospitality,” Agarwal states. “We live by this passionately.”
For their latest project, they share even the smallest details with buyers – from the exact model numbers of kitchen appliances to where each piece of furniture will be placed. This degree of openness is rare in the industry. “Goodwill and legacy come from doing what you promise,” he says. “We understand this well.”But he also acknowledges the emotional realities of the journey. “There are moments when faith is broken, patience is tested, respect isn’t maintained,” he reflects. “These are the moments that test your character.
We choose to maintain dignity.” He quotes Warren Buffett: “Don’t just satisfy your customers – delight them.”
THE TELLADO LEGACY
Tellado is not (yet) a giant company – and its founder, Rahul Agarwal embraces this humility with grace. “We may not end up making a huge impact,” he says. “But once in a while, someone tells us we inspired them to build better, think differently, and design more responsibly.”
“If Tellado can push the industry to be more ethical, more creative, and more respectful of Goa, that is impact enough,” says Nandini, Rahul Agarwal’s daughter who has joined the business and is handling the rentals and hospitality, as well as marketing for the Group. Nandini has a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics and Business Economics from the University of Amsterdam.
Their mission is simple yet profound: to inspire excellence – in design, in conduct, in imagination.
A BRAND WITH A SOUL
In an industry often judged by the number of square feet built, Tellado chooses a different metric – the meaning of space.
It builds not for mass, but for memory. Not for scale, but for soul. Not just for buyers, but for believers.
In the evolving narrative of Goa’s luxury real-estate landscape, Tellado Realty stands as a reminder that development can be thoughtful, beautiful, ethical, and deeply rooted in place.
And if its past and present are any indication, its future promises to be nothing short of architectural poetry. 
