The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) building in Khajod village near Surat city is the world's largest office complex for trading rough and polished diamonds and jewelry. It includes a Customs Clearance House, a jewelry mall, international banking facilities, and safe vaults. The SDB is part of the Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) City, with former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel inaugurating the project in 2015. The building spans 67 lakh square feet with 4,500 diamond trading offices across nine towers.
The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) is a diamond trading center situated in Dream City, Surat, Gujarat, India. Designed by the architectural firm Morphogenesis, it stands as the largest diamond trading hub globally, boasting a floor space of 660,000 square meters (7,100,000 sq ft) and holding the title of the world's largest office building, surpassing the Pentagon.
The SDB project was initiated by the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel. She laid the foundation stone for the construction of the complex, as well as the Diamond Research and Mercantile City, on February 15, 2015. Despite the hindrance caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a slowdown in construction progress, the pace picked up once restrictions were lifted. The comprehensive framework of the complex was finalized in May 2022, with the entire construction coming to a close on July 26, 2023. Its status as the world's largest office building, surpassing the Pentagon, was officially recognized by Guinness World Records on August 22, 2023. Originally slated for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2023, certain pending internal tasks caused a delay. Consequently, the grand opening took place on December 17, 2023.
The reception of the bourse by diamond traders has been lukewarm due to its location on the outskirts of Surat with limited connectivity compared to the well-connected Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai. To incentivize the shift of diamond businesses to Surat, the SDB has introduced various incentives. Enhancing global connectivity to Surat, akin to diamond centers like Antwerp, Chicago, and London, is crucial to establishing its prominence outside Mumbai and attracting firms without reservation. Surat Airport's elevation to international status, coinciding with the SDB's inauguration, is a step towards achieving this goal. As of December 2023, out of 4,200 offices, only 135 have been opened, with 26 operated by Mumbai-based diamond firms.
Diamond Jewelry Mall
A unique feature of the complex is the "diamond jewellery mall," a pioneering concept globally. Spanning 4,600 square meters (50,000 sq ft) within the SDB premises, it will showcase leading international brands specializing in diamond jewellery retail. The mall will house 27 diamond jewellery showrooms allocated by auction through the SDB Administrative Committee.
The structure is situated at the heart of Diamond Research and Mercantile City, a burgeoning commercial zone. It spans over a vast area of 14.38 hectares (35.54 acres) with a total built-up space of 61,000 square meters (660,000 square feet). The trading center consists of a cluster of nine interconnected skyscrapers, each towering at 15 floors, accommodating a total of 4,200 office units ranging from 28 square meters (300 square feet) to 700 square meters (7,500 square feet). Among these, 2,700 offices are sized at 28 square meters (300 sq ft) in five towers, 900 offices are 46 square meters (500 sq ft) in one tower, 400 offices are 93 square meters (1,000 sq ft) in another tower, and the remaining two towers house 350 larger offices exceeding 93 square meters (1,000 sq ft) each. These nine towers are linked by a sprawling, 22-kilometer-long central corridor with amenities and services akin to those found in an airport terminal. Interspersed between the towers are nine Panchtattva courts, serving as recreational and green spaces. The complex boasts 131 elevators, operating at a swift speed of three meters per second. Furthermore, it features a two-tier underground parking facility capable of housing 4,500 cars and 10,000 motorcycles. All offices are centrally air-conditioned using a chilled water-cooling system. The premises offer a range of amenities, including conference halls, multipurpose halls, dining establishments, financial institutions, and retail outlets, along with robust security measures. Additionally, the building houses a dedicated customs clearance facility for the import and export of diamonds, a National Diamond Research Institute (NDRI), an international convention center, global educational institutions, and luxury five-star hotels. Noteworthy is the fact that the complex has been pre-certified as a green building by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) due to its environmentally friendly practices and sustainable operational strategies, earning it the title of the world's largest corporate edifice.
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