The All-In-One Staycation

Shop, sleep, dine and work at the Black Box on Whitefield Road.

- Sharmistha Chaudhuri

A giant black box-like structure stood tall on one side of Whitefield Road. “Interesting,” I said to myself as my cab inched towards it. First impressions don’t always endure, but this one did.

Bengaluru has always been a fast-changing metropolis. My last visit was close to eight years ago, and I could barely recognise the city that whizzed past me now. To my dismay, the traffic situation had remained the same, but the second phase of metro construction was on in full force. In fact, a long strip of Whitefield Road had been cordoned off for the underground work, which in turn led to ridiculous traffic snarls above. Yet, as I entered the massive VR Bengaluru complex, locally known as the Black Box on Whitefield Road, a sense of calm engulfed me.

Whitefield was an Anglo-Indian and European settlement in the 19th century, built on about 3,900 acres of land granted by the maharaja of Mysore. VR Bengaluru retains that colonial charm while encouraging a contemporary feel.

 The Black Box is an integrated experience—one can stay at the Waverly Hotel & Residences, shop and dine at VR Bengaluru, and work at Hive. With other facilities on offer, such as fitness, art, spa and a gorgeous panoramic view, you don’t have to step outside this 600,000 sq feet space on your Bengaluru staycation.