Inside the global race to build the healthiest homes on Earth

The biggest luxury in life is good health. And that is exactly what is shaping the vision of high-end real estate developers in 2025. As they rethink what premium residential living should offer, wellness-centered homes are no longer a niche concept. Instead, this focus on well-being is redefining luxury living across both the East and the West. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness real estate is the fastest-growing sector in the $6.3 trillion global wellness economy, doubling in size from $225 billion in 2019 to $548 billion in 2024. By 2029, the sector is projected to reach $1.1 trillion. GWI researchers Katherine Johnston and Ophelia Yeung say that wellness has become inseparable from how people now expect to live, emphasizing that trillions of dollars in global construction must now take health into account. Splurging on “biohacking,” wealthy luxury consumers are demanding their homes cater to health-driven daily routines, whether that means installing personal IV drips, saunas, cold plunges, or having their gardens burgeoning with superfoods. A major trend is also AI-enabled smart homes that personalize everyday well-being. This shift in buyer expectations has tangible financial consequences. Wellness-oriented residential properties reportedly command sales premiums of 10% to 25% in mid- to high-end developments, while wellness-certified commercial buildings achieve rental premiums as high as 7.7%. The market remains geographically concentrated with North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe accounting for 99% of total value, though momentum is accelerating in the Middle East and North Africa, which, as Beauty Matter reports, posted 22.6% annual growth rate of these regions between 2019 and 2024. Built with the body in mind An ambitious project capturing this energy is Aldar’s Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi. Positioned as the world’s first Fitwel-certified wellness island, it is designed from the ground up around evidence-backed health outcomes. As Aldar Development CEO Jonathan Emery tells Jing Daily, Fitwel evaluates how environments support human wellbeing through design and operations. He says that Fahid Island’s masterplan was created to make healthier routines effortless, with natural landscapes, shaded pedestrian routes, and interconnected cycling networks integrated into everyday life. Emery adds that walkability and outdoor comfort are the foundational principles, creating a coastal lifestyle where, in his words, “residents will live in an environment designed to encourage healthier routines.” The project aims to translate wellness concepts into physical design features. The island includes 4.6km of beach, mangrove forests, and gardens and natural trails designed by architects Kengo Kuma and Koichi Takada. A waterfront promenade supports movement and social interaction. Despite its proximity to Yas Island, Saadiyat Cultural District, and Zayed International Airport, Emery positions the development as a wellness retreat with urban connectivity. Chinese buyers comprise one of the island's key customer segments. They accounted for more than $570 million in Aldar sales during the first nine months of 2025, making them the developer’s most active overseas customers, according to Emery. Emery attributes this demand to Chinese families prioritizing wellness and longevity in their residential choices, alongside access to international education. The island will host the region’s first King’s College School Wimbledon campus in 2028, which Emery says appeals to globally mobile families. A Chinese opportunity Chinese buyer preferences in Abu Dhabi reflect broader domestic market shifts. Affluent homeowners in China now define luxury residential properties by features such as advanced air systems, circadian lighting, and multisensory interiors, according to Tong Global’s China’s Luxury Home Market 2025–2026 report. In Shanghai, more than 1,000 homes priced above RMB 30 million ($4.2 million) sold in the first half of 2025 — nearly triple the 2023 volume — indicating residential real estate has become a priority luxury asset class for high-net-worth buyers. This wellness focus is also influencing hospitality. Marriott’s new luxury escapes, including upcoming projects in Lake Como and Wuhan, signal how global hotel brands are merging resort-grade well-being experiences with residential or long-stay formats. The Ritz-Carlton, Wuhan is opening a “sanctuary” in 2026 with views of the Yuexiu Global Financial Center. Destinations like Hainan are also expanding their positioning as medical and wellness hubs, reinforcing demand for health-oriented environments. Emery sees the industry’s future in the intersection of consumer demand and developer innovation. Wellness is now being integrated across entire masterplans rather than added as amenities, he says. This holistic approach “is becoming the global benchmark for future residential and commercial developments.” Wellness real estate is redefining luxury across markets from China to Abu Dhabi. Health, restoration, and lifestyle value have become key factors in residential decisions for high-net-worth individuals, positioning developers who prioritize these features to shape the next decade of global real estate.

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Inside the global race to build the healthiest homes on Earth