From his first project at 24 to building AIXAR Estates, Sohil Khan is re-imagining real estate with a distinctly Goan eye for design, value and lasting impact
At 24, Sohil Khan embarked on his first real estate project with more determination than experience. What he did have was an entrepreneurial instinct, an eye for design and a willingness to learn.
Today, that instinct has evolved into AIXAR Estates, a real estate brand built around a philosophy of thoughtful design, practical living and value. For Sohil, however, the journey has never been simply about constructing and selling homes. It is about creating spaces people are proud to live in, while remaining conscious of the character of Goa.
The entrepreneurial instinct came early. Even as a teenager, Sohil knew he wanted to build something of his own, although he had little idea what that business would eventually be.
Real estate emerged naturally after graduation. His first exposure had come when his family built their home in 2009, giving him an early understanding of materials, architects, planning and construction. But it was his mother who eventually encouraged him to consider real estate professionally. “She felt that I had a natural interest in designing spaces, that I was creative, observant and attentive to detail,” he recalls. That encouragement became the push he needed.
His first project took almost a year and a half to get off the ground, beginning with the search for the right plot. Once he found it, there was the challenge of assembling a contractor and team and understanding the many moving parts of development.
Sohil remained closely involved, personally supervising the project with just one staff member.
Being young inevitably attracted questions.
“You’re so young – how are you able to do this?” was something he heard often.
But the experience became his real education. He learnt real estate from the ground up, understanding not simply how to run a business but how to create something tangible. Completing that first project gave him the confidence that real estate was something he could build for himself.
From Sherkhan to AIXAR
The business began under the name Sherkhan Developments, a name rooted in family – it combined his father’s name, Shamsher, with the family surname.
As the business moved towards larger and more ambitious projects, Sohil began thinking beyond individual developments. He wanted a brand that could eventually grow beyond a single geography and potentially beyond real estate itself.
That thinking led to AIXAR Estates. While the name has a contemporary and international identity, its roots remain personal, carrying elements connected to his parents and Goan heritage, with “R” representing Realty.
For Sohil, the transition was never simply a rebranding exercise. It was about creating a brand with enough identity and scale to eventually stand independently.
That ambition is reflected in the philosophy at the heart of AIXAR
Re-imagining the Goan Home
For Sohil, re-imagining real estate begins with questioning conventional approaches to development.
He believes too many residential buildings are designed primarily from a functional perspective, sometimes resulting in what he describes as “concrete boxes”. AIXAR’s approach is more considered, with attention to elevation, proportions, architectural character and how a home is actually experienced.
“I want our homes to feel premium, but I don’t want premium to mean unnecessarily expensive.”
That philosophy extends to floor plans and amenities. Sohil personally studies how spaces connect, how residents will use them and whether layouts are practical and comfortable.
Amenities, too, need to serve a purpose. Rather than adding features simply because they look impressive in a brochure, he prefers facilities that genuinely contribute to everyday living.
The objective is to balance aesthetics, functionality and value. Sohil is willing to work with relatively lower margins if that allows the company to deliver a better product at a more accessible price point. The focus is on eliminating unnecessary expenditure while refusing to compromise on structural quality, design or construction standards.
Understanding who buys Goa
The customers AIXAR serves today are different from those of Sohil’s early projects, which were positioned more towards affordable housing and first-time buyers.
Today, a significant proportion are NRIs, along with second-home buyers and investors. Yet Sohil believes the fundamentals remain consistent: quality construction, well-planned homes, good locations and a sensible price point.
Increasingly, customers are also buying into the developer’s credibility.
Some AIXAR projects have been substantially booked even before construction begins, which Sohil sees as evidence of the goodwill the company has built.
“Many customers come back to us for subsequent purchases or recommend us to others,” he says. “That trust is something I value much more than simply making a sale.”
That trust has particular significance in Goa. A large proportion of AIXAR’s buyers are Goans living or working abroad, for whom owning a home in their home state carries an emotional value beyond investment.
“There is a saying that you can take a Goan out of Goa, but you cannot take Goa out of a Goan’s heart.”
Sohil believes responsible development should respect that connection. Projects should remain conscious of the geography and demography of their locations rather than completely altering the identity of a neighbourhood.
For him, Goa’s opportunity lies in creating homes that preserve its essence – whether through villas in serene surroundings, thoughtfully designed residences or second-home properties that allow people to experience the state without stripping away its character.
Learning with every Project
Sohil remains involved throughout the development process, from identifying and purchasing land to the final handover. He works closely with architects, contractors and other professionals, reviewing layouts, elevations and details along the way.
His name and reputation are attached to every project.
Projects such as Genesis and PREMIA represent different stages of that evolution. Genesis was closer to affordable housing and first-time buyers, while premia reflectes a greater emphasis on larger spaces, lifestyle and amenities.
For Sohil, that progression reinforces an important entrepreneurial lesson: every project should make the next one better.
“You have to understand your customer, observe how the market is changing and constantly improve what you offer.”
The journey has not been without challenges. Finding suitable land remains difficult, while rising land and construction costs put pressure on developers trying to maintain accessible pricing. Regulatory approvals can also be time-consuming, and Sohil believes greater digitisation and transparency could make the process more efficient.
Building something that Lasts
For someone who entered real estate with a single project and one staff member, Sohil’s ambitions today are considerably broader.
AIXAR is being built to operate across different real estate segments, including residential develop
ments, villas and plotted developments, with the possibility of expanding beyond Goa. He remains discreet about what lies beyond that, but the larger ambition is clear: AIXAR is intended to become bigger than its current portfolio.
Yet when asked what success means personally, his answer is not centred on financial numbers.
“For me, success ultimately means being able to live happily and sleep peacefully at night.” He wants to be remembered as someone people trusted – someone who conducted business honestly, delivered what he promised and created something meaningful beyond financial success.
Real estate, he says, has a unique sense of permanence. A building can remain for decades after the transaction is complete.
That is why he wants AIXAR’s projects to become landmarks – not simply because they look good, but because they were built well, sold transparently and gave people a positive experience.
His advice to young entrepreneurs comes from the same experience: be persistent, be consistent, take calculated risks and keep moving.
When he began his first project at 24, his immediate goal was not even profit. He simply wanted to prove that he could execute it.
“You are going to face difficulties at every level, but you have to be prepared for them.” Nearly a decade later, the young entrepreneur who learnt real estate one project at a time is building a brand with ambitions that extend beyond individual buildings.
For Sohil Khan, the real measure of that journey may ultimately be found not in how much he builds, but in what remains after he has built it – a reputation, a legacy and a body of work that carries the name of the family that built it