Architect Hafeez Contractor is one of the most prominent names in the world of Indian real-estate. His firm has the highest credibility when it comes to architecture solutions in India, usually named at par with Zaha Hadid in the Indian context. His firm as constructed projects in more than 100 cities, spanning across five countries, totalling approximately 7 billion sq. ft. and several ongoing. Contractor, along with the mighty projects, has also earned the pristine fame by receiving the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour by the President in 2016.

He was born in Mumbai, to a humble family. He studied in the Academy of Architecture in the University of Mumbai, and later went to Columbia University in the City of New York on a scholarship. Along with these degrees, he is rewarded as the Dictor of Architecture Honoris Causa. In 1977 to 1980, he has been a visiting faculty in the academy from where he graduated.

Architecture should be honest and must respond to the spirit of the time characterized by distinct ideas, disparate missions, contrasting convictions and divergent preferences. It is this enduring belief that has brought me to where I am today.

His signature works include the Imperial Towers of Mumbai, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, DY Patil Stadium, 23 Marina Dubai and the list goes on. He has a team of more than 500 exceptionally talented architects working under his brand name. The team is divided into focussing on various genres like the affordable housing sector, uber-fancy residential schemes, commercial infrastructure as well as in the public utility atmosphere.

The India Today Group has once recognised him as one of the most influential Indians in their magazine for his contributions in this field. He has worked parallel with the officials of the Ministry of Urban Development in various states. He is a strong adherent to the idea of affordable and social housing and aspires for every Indian to own a house.