The shape of luxury in 2025

As we welcome a new year, the luxury real estate market is embracing exciting trends that redefine the ultimate lifestyle – here’s a glimpse of what’s hot from JamesEdition

Led by CEO Eric Finnas Dahlstrom JamesEdition is a leading international online marketplace that attracts high-net-worth individuals seeking luxury properties and other lifestyle assets, such as private jets, yachts, and luxury cars. In this article they share their 2025 trends and market forecasts for the high-end arena.

Health and wellness integration

The luxury real estate market continues to evolve to meet the demands of discerning buyers who value quality of life, natural surroundings, exceptional design, and well-being.

Health and wellness are now essential components of luxury real estate, with properties offering amenities such as private gyms, infra-red saunas, and meditation rooms. These residences are designed to prioritise wellbeing, delivering an exceptional lifestyle for individuals seeking health-focused modern homes.

Biophilic design and bioarchitecture further enhance this trend by integrating natural elements, fostering a connection to the environment, and promoting eco- conscious living.

“Health and wellness transformed luxury real estate in 2024, with 15% of our current inventory offering leisure water amenities, 9% featuring thermal wellness facilities, and 21% including private gyms. Biophilic design and eco conscious architecture enhance these homes, focusing on balance and wellbeing. Leading and emerging destinations like Sardinia, Dubai, and Montenegro showcase wellness villas with spa and wellbeing amenities. This niche is poised for growth in 2025 as demand for health-focused, modern luxury living continues to rise” says Eric Finnas Dahlstrom.

Wellness properties on the horizon

There are a range of top wellness homes featuring in JamesEdition in 2025, from Porto Montenegro’s Boka Place – a wellness-driven residences in partnership with SIRO, to Villa Euforbia in Sardinia. Featured here is the stunning Villa Horizon in Portobello, Sardinia.

Featuring incredible custom biophilic design, Villa Horizon features seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. It’s an ideal choice for a family looking for tranquil and peaceful surroundings, immersed in an unspoilt environment. Seamlessly integrated into the Residential Park of Portobello di Gallura, a private community by the sea, Villa Horizon showcases innovative design that balances comfort and luxury.

The contemporary property benefits from a futuristic design, 180° sea view and spans 2,153 sqft (200 sqm). Stand out features include, a spacious and light-filled living room with extraordinary views of the entire Portobello amphitheatre, a luxurious open-plan kitchen and dining area, as well as an outdoor dining area, and a two-level swimming pool, solarium and concealed underground garage.

Every space in the property has been designed to ensure complete harmony with the surroundings and to provide maximum bio-climatic wellbeing all year round.

The lush nature that envelops the home is shaped and moulded to create the ideal conditions for inhabiting the exteriors and interiors at all times. You are shielded from the wind, provided absolute privacy, sound insulation and a feeling of complete continuity between the living environment and the natural world. Price on request.

Branded residences on the up

Luxury fashion and automotive brands are leveraging their influence to enter the real estate sector, developing high-end residential towers globally. Similarly, leading hospitality companies are accelerating investments in mixed-use and residential properties.

The supply of branded residences in the ultra-luxury segment grew significantly in 2024, with industry leaders across global markets recognising it as a defining trend in luxury real estate over the next five years.

“Branded residences have emerged as one of the most significant trends in luxury real estate across Europe. Historically concentrated in markets like Dubai and Miami, these projects are now gaining prominence in European capitals and hotspots like Costa del Sol, a leading destination for affluent foreign buyer,” says Finnas Dahlstrom.

The trend is also gaining momentum across the Americas, with branded properties emerging in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

The sky’s the limit in Dubai

Noted examples listed with JamesEdition include Branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental Vienna; Missoni Branded Penthouse in Finca Cortesin in Malaga; and Fendi Residences in Marbella. Featured here is a remarkable rooftop villa in Dubai, Astera By Aston Martin, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, which is the first sky villa on Marjan Island.

This magnificent four-bedroom, five-bathroom villa is situated atop The Astera on Al Marjan Island. The 11,195 sqft (1040 sqm) home truly redefines luxury.

‘The Top of The Astera’ is the world’s first rooftop villa with interiors by Aston Martin, offering unmatched exclusivity, breathtaking views, and an unparalleled lifestyle.

This is no ordinary villa, it’s a one-of-a-kind icon of prestige and innovation. With panoramic vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the dazzling Wynn Resorts, every corner of this home is designed to inspire awe with a seamless blend between sophistication and bold artistry.

Located in Ras Al Khaimah’s premier destination, The Astera offers a collection of Aston Martin-designed residences complemented by world-class amenities. The homes benefit from direct access to pristine beaches, an infinity pool with Gulf views, membership of an exclusive spa, fitness centre, and yoga lawn. Price on request.

The rise of bioarchitecture and biophilic design

High-net-worth buyers will drive demand for bioarchitecture in 2025 and the years ahead. Eco- conscious features like reclaimed wood, solar energy, and green roofs are becoming top priorities for affluent buyers as luxury homes increasingly blend elegance with environmental responsibility.

A new dimension of this trend is emerging: a growing emphasis on bioarchitecture and biophilic design. Bioarchitecture focuses on sustainability and nature-inspired design, often incorporating biomimicry to harmonise with the environment. Biophilic interior design enhances this concept by fostering a connection between people and nature, promoting wellbeing through thoughtful design.

Developers embrace bioarchitecture to create homes that integrate seamlessly with their surroundings, respecting and enhancing the natural landscape. This approach considers everything from a property’s shape to its environmental footprint, ensuring harmony with its setting. This movement is gaining traction in prestigious coastal destinations like Sardinia, Mykonos, Cyprus, and Madeira. In the U.S., California, Arizona, and Colorado lead the market with the highest inventory of sustainable luxury homes.

This shift signals a new era of design where luxury meets sustainability, catering to the values of discerning buyers worldwide. “We saw an increasing inventory of sustainable real estate in 2024 and expect this trend to grow in 2025. From state-of-the-art energy-efficient systems and an A-rated energy certificate to special architecture and design solutions, these properties offer residents an eco-conscious way of living” comments Eric Finnas Dahlstrom.

Where sustainability evolves

The Monolith villa in Madeira; Minthis Resort Bespoke Residence in Pafos, Cyprus; and Villa in Mykonos are among stunning examples of bioarchitecture currently listed with JamesEdition. Featured here is the Residences at Eywa, Dubai, UAE.

Overlooking the Dubai Canal and Burj Khalifa, this two-bedroom apartment close to Dubai Opera is part of Eywa – a boutique building by established developer R.Evolution featuring 48 exclusive residences, where ancient science, modern technology, and world-class architecture combine.

Strikingly unique, Eywa subscribes to wild luxury, instantly evoking a glorious tree of life. Its biophilic architecture, which carries forward into the penthouse, is inspired by the sacred banyan tree. Totalling 2,981 sqft (277 sqm), this unique penthouse with a Burj Khalifa view is the pinnacle of luxury.

Its spacious design features carefully crafted spaces with contemporary floor-to-ceiling windows. The living room is divided into a sitting area with a fireplace, a music- listening area, a dining area, and a private wine cellar. The regal luxury of natural stones and wood provide sophistication, with materials like Irish green marble and White Onyx. This continues into the master bedroom with a walk-in closet, as well as a spacious terrace with dining and seating areas. This green oasis floating in the air is priced at £2.65m.

Growing U.S. demand for European luxury real estate

Following the presidential election, JamesEdition saw a 30% increase in traffic from the U.S., with notable growth in searches for top destinations.

Popular European locations like Italy – including the stunning Villa Matilda on Lake Como – France, Spain, Greece, and Portugal remain favourites for expats looking for second homes. Searches for Italy, France, and Spain rose by over 45%, while interest in Portugal nearly doubled, with a 90% increase. Some destinations, especially English speaking or familiar “home-like” countries, saw interest triple or more, driven by strong lifestyle and investment appeal. The UK is a leader with 175% increase in searches.

Looking ahead to 2025, Europe’s sunny southern coasts are expected to stay popular with wealthy Americans seeking luxury homes and a relaxed lifestyle. Portugal is likely to lead this trend, with U.S. interest doubling in 2024 and spiking further after the election.

Further information – All properties are listed via JamesEdition.com