The Man Behind the Vision
A Life in Harmony with the Land
Ambawadi was conceived and envisioned by Late Shantilal Dayalji Desai, one of the earliest qualified civil engineers in Navsari and the founder of S.D. Desai & Co.
At a time when the area was still surrounded by lush mango orchards, he imagined a peaceful residential community that would harmonize with nature while offering families a thoughtfully planned place to live.
Surrounded by open land and trees, it was a place where he pursued his love for farming and agriculture, spent quiet time reading books, and enjoyed the company of animals.
He was often seen playing with his dogs, caring for animals, and riding through the land in a horse carriage—moments that reflected his deep connection with nature and the land he loved.
For him, land was never just something to develop; it was something to respect, nurture, and live alongside.
The following photographs capture moments from his weekend estate — a place where he spent time farming, reading, and living close to nature.
Moments from his life and land
Ahead of its Time
While modern developers are just now discovering "Ecological Integration," our founder was designing residential projects around existing orchard ecosystems in the 1960s. He prioritized water table health and natural cooling decades before they became industry standards.
Technical Mastery
As one of Navsari’s first B.E. Civil engineers, his vision wasn’t just aesthetic—it was structurally superior. Ambawadi stands on a foundation of rigorous engineering that respects the natural topography of the orchard land.