{"id":5494,"date":"2026-08-17T14:15:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T21:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/?p=5494"},"modified":"2026-08-17T13:50:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T20:50:22","slug":"aging-millionaire-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/aging-millionaire-boom\/","title":{"rendered":"Aging Millionaire Boom"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\t\t
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How the longevity and wellness industry \u2028is reshaping luxury real estate<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t
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The wealthiest homebuyers in the world are getting older, and they\u2019re building homes to match their lifestyles. As global populations live longer, the luxury real estate market is undergoing a fundamental transformation. \u201cIncreasing life expectancy, coupled with affluent homebuyers\u2019 desire to \u2018age in place,\u2019 is reshaping \u2028everything from home design and location choice to how inventory circulates in prime real estate markets,\u201d \u2028says Tammy Fahmi, senior vice president, global \u2028servicing and strategy, Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.<\/span><\/p>\n

This aging millionaire boom, increasingly rooted in longevity and wellness economics, is creating new opportunities as well as challenges for luxury real estate. Global life expectancy at birth has risen significantly \u2028within the last century, from roughly 46 years in 1950 \u2028to 73 years in 2023, according to a November 2025 \u2028report by Statista. By 2100, people around the world \u2028are expected to live to 82 years on average, with Europe and North America predicted to have even higher life expectancies of around 90 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany buyers in their late 50s, 60s and 70s are not downsizing or moving into senior housing,\u201d says Anna Sherrill, senior global real estate advisor, ONE Sotheby\u2019s International Realty in Miami, Florida. \u201cInstead, they are purchasing or staying in homes that allow them to live well for a very long time. These are \u2028clients who are highly focused on their health, longevity \u2028and quality of life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Longevity-Driven Economics<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The growing emphasis on longevity is not merely \u2028a lifestyle trend\u2014it\u2019s a major economic force that continues to gain momentum. UBS Global Wealth Management projected in March 2025 that the worldwide longevity market, which encompasses health, wellness and aging-\u2028related spending, will grow from US$5.3 trillion in 2023 \u2028to US$8 trillion by 2030, reflecting strong demographic \u2028and consumer shifts toward longer, healthier lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

This expansion reflects a broader macroeconomic shift: as populations age and life expectancy rises, \u2028demand increases for the services, products and \u2028properties that help maintain a higher quality of life well into later years. The world\u2019s over-60 population \u2028is expected to double by 2050, surpassing two billion \u2028people, UBS reported. <\/span><\/p>\n

Real estate sits squarely in the path of that spending. Within the broader longevity economy, property has emerged as a quickly expanding segment. \u201cWellness real estate has consistently been the fastest-growing \u2028sector in the wellness economy, significantly outpacing projections and economic growth trends, and it has more than doubled in size in just five years,\u201d say the authors of a November 2025 report by the Global Wellness Institute, led by Katherine Johnston, senior research fellow. By 2029, the market for such real estate is estimated to be worth more than US$1.114 trillion, according \u2028to the report. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Built with local and sustainable \u2028materials that blend seamlessly with the jungle and sea, a Sian Ka\u2019an\u2028retreat in Tulum, Mexico, advocates relaxation and connection with \u2028the natural environment.<\/p><\/div>\n

This growth underscores that wealthy homebuyers do\u00a0not purchase homes for just aesthetic or investment reasons. Many are now seeking environments that proactively support their long-term health, resilience and\u00a0overall well-being. One practical consequence of \u2028this\u00a0is a reduction in housing turnover in high-end luxury\u00a0real\u00a0estate. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s ultra-high-net-worth buyer is thinking in decades, not moments,\u201d says Nikki Field, senior global \u2028real estate advisor, Sotheby\u2019s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage, who recently launched sales \u2028at 262 Fifth Avenue in New York City\u2014a new development centered around wellness features like a fitness center and high-performance air filtration. \u201cThey\u2019re investing in residences that protect their time, enhance their \u2028well-being and remain relevant across generations.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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The assumption that luxury property owners will eventually transition into luxury senior living or retirement communities is no longer certain. Fahmi points out that multigenerational living is on the rise among affluent families as a way to accommodate aging relatives as well as build a legacy. And increasingly, many older homeowners prefer to upgrade or retrofit their current homes to accommodate their needs as they age, as opposed to relocating.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmong our international clientele, we clearly see affluent homebuyers retaining residential properties for much longer than originally planned,\u201d says Despina Laou, head of private office, Greece Sotheby\u2019s International Realty. \u201cHomes initially acquired as second residences are increasingly used as semi-permanent or permanent bases later in life. These individuals have the financial flexibility to live independently across multiple homes. What we observe instead in Greece is a deliberate choice to age well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Laou cites as an example a couple from Australia, in\u00a0their 70s, who acquired a property in Greece valued at\u00a0approximately US$11.6 million. \u201cThe home was \u2028chosen for long-term living, with multiple bedrooms \u2028to host children, grandchildren and permanent staff,\u201d \u2028she explains. \u201cThey now spend the Australian winter \u2028[June to August] in\u00a0Greece\u2014effectively living a life \u2028aligned with extended summer seasons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Designing for Longer Living<\/strong><\/h5>\n

For homebuyers planning to age in place, traditional luxury features such as grand views or oversized entertaining spaces are now complemented by wellness-centric design.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAffluent owners living longer will prioritize residences that extend independent living\u2014with fall\u2011prevention layouts, circadian lighting, air\/water quality systems \u2028and integrated telehealth,\u201d says Fahmi. \u201cProperties that embed age\u2011friendly design with sophisticated wellness \u2028tech will command a premium over comparable trophy assets without it. Homes with main\u2011floor suites, elevator stacks, slip\u2011resistant surfaces, smart monitoring, staff quarters and wellness suites will be at a premium.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nearly 40% of real estate professionals cited in \u2028the 2026 Mid-Year Sotheby\u2019s International Realty agent survey say aging in place is a growing concern among homebuyers, and they are increasingly seeking built-in wellness features, such as: <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Direct contact with the outdoors<\/h4>such as on-property hiking or walking trails, encouraging regular exercise and prioritizing privacy and quiet environments, particularly water views.
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Universal design elements<\/h4>ensure accessibility as mobility changes over time, including a preference for single-story residences and curbless bathrooms<\/div><\/div>
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Air- and water-quality optimization<\/h4>including advanced filtration systems.<\/div><\/div>
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Spa-like amenities<\/h4>including sauna, steam, cold plunges, red-light therapy, massage rooms and \u2028fully equipped gyms.<\/div><\/div>
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Integrated tech and staff<\/h4>to support health monitoring, mobility assistance and smart \u2028home devices.
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Healthy dining options<\/h4>such as juice bars and access to private chefs, with an emphasis on \u2028organic products and plant-based options.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n
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These features not only enhance quality of life but also support longevity goals\u2014making a home not just a place \u2028to live but a place to thrive in peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDevelopers are responding to homebuyer demands \u2028by blending age-friendly design with access to clinical services and urban mobility,\u201d Fahmi explains. \u201cBranded residences will become more in demand\u2014collaborations \u2028in the hospitality, fashion and automotive sectors indicate the direction of the luxury real estate market toward service-rich living arrangements. Homes are becoming hubs for care, connection and continuity\u2014\u2028where luxury is also defined by adaptability, wellness and community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Wellness Communities<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Beyond individual homes, communities built around longevity are gaining traction, and they differ from traditional senior housing in many respects. High-\u2028end residential enclaves in Florida, Mexico and other coastal regions increasingly integrate on-site medical professionals, wellness programming and preventive care facilities, mirroring hospitality models but designed \u2028for permanent residency.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany clients are looking for homes near the ocean or directly on the water, with an emphasis on natural light, walkability and an overall healthy lifestyle,\u201d Sherrill says. \u201cI recently closed on a residence at the Estates at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, where the amenities were a key reason for the purchase. Many newer luxury buildings now feel more like living in a resort. In addition, I have represented homebuyers at the St. Regis Residences in Miami, Florida, which offers more than 50,000 square feet of spa-like amenities, including cold plunges, saunas, a salt spa room and a state-of-the-art fitness center with private trainers, yoga, Pilates and spinning. This level of wellness is becoming standard \u2028in newer construction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Such communities draw homebuyers seeking \u2028both a luxury lifestyle and longevity. According to \u2028Giovana Saldivar, senior global real estate advisor, \u2028Riviera Maya Sotheby\u2019s International Realty in Mexico, these developments reflect a strategic recognition \u2028that wealthy homebuyers increasingly view their \u2028homes and communities as primary wellness assets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a conscious search for peace, silence and a connection with the environment, rather than an active social or urban life,\u201d Saldivar explains. \u201cFor \u2028this reason, villas located in the Sian Ka\u2019an Biosphere Reserve in Quintana Roo, Mexico, generate a very \u2028strong interest in this homebuyer profile. This type \u2028of property offers them exactly what they are looking \u2028for: a protected natural setting, views, absolute privacy and a high level of security.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Salvidar\u2019s clients focus their purchasing decisions \u2028on two key factors: security and peace. \u201cIn the context \u2028of the Riviera Maya, Mexico, these values translate \u2028almost immediately and indisputably into Sian Ka\u2019an\u2014\u2028a destination that represents well-being, prestige and \u2028a quality of life designed for the long term,\u201d she says. <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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“Homes are becoming hubs for care, connection and continuity\u2014where luxury is also defined \u2028by adaptability, wellness and community.”<\/span><\/h4>\n

– Tammy Fahmi,
\n<\/span>Senior Vice President, Global Servicing and Strategy, Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Lessons From the Blue Zones<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Research into regions where longevity is the norm, commonly referred to as \u201cBlue Zones,\u201d provides additional insights on the topic. The term was first coined in 2005 by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner to describe regions with above-average concentrations of people who live to be 100 years old and who often report lower rates \u2028of chronic disease than elsewhere.4 As identified by the National Library of Medicine in 2016, the original five Blue Zones are Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. These locations are consistently cited as examples of exceptional longevity and quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

These regions share a variety of characteristics increasingly reflected in luxury real estate preferences: an emphasis on walkability, social connectedness, access to nature, a nutritious local food system and community-oriented design. Wealthy homebuyers \u2028are paying attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore and more clients approach us with clear longevity criteria\u2014outdoor activity, social connection, year-round use and access to healthcare\u2014positioning Greece as a country where people choose to live longer \u2028and better,\u201d Laou says. \u201cA notable example is a Swiss couple in their early 60s who acquired a large estate in Porto Heli with the explicit intention of creating a long-\u2028term base focused on wellness and longevity. Similar motivations are increasingly seen in Paros and other quieter Cycladic islands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Real estate professionals in Costa Rica are \u2028navigating similar desires. \u201cWithin the Nicoya Peninsula, communities such as Nosara, Santa Teresa and Mal Pa\u00eds have become natural magnets for longevity-minded homebuyers,\u201d says Elena Araya Call\u00eds, country manager, Costa Rica Sotheby\u2019s International Realty. \u201cWhat attracts them is not spectacle but rhythm\u2014a way of life that feels grounded, sustainable and deeply human.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A compelling example of this approach is CalaSol, a new residential enclave located directly within the Blue Zone, she says. \u201cSet in Playa Gringo, Guanacaste, CalaSol reflects a new generation of luxury development\u2014one that values permanence over pace and stewardship over scale,\u201d Call\u00eds says. \u201cWith just 32 dramatic ocean-view homesites and direct adjacency to protected coastline, the project prioritizes timelessness over volume and \u2028legacy over yield. For its residents, CalaSol is not viewed \u2028as a speculative property investment. It is \u2028a multigenerational lifestyle decision. What is \u2028being acquired is not only land or architecture but continuity\u2014the assurance that the landscape, the \u2028view and the experience of place will endure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A site in Queenstown, New Zealand, has similar appeal to those seeking luxury and longevity, Fahmi \u2028says. \u201cThere is an exciting new development on the \u2028South Island, Te Taumata | Lakeview, represented by \u2028New Zealand Sotheby\u2019s International Realty, where \u2028culture, health, wellness and creativity converge,\u201d she explains. \u201cDue to its location among local rivers and streams, the development\u2019s central amenity hub Te Huika \u2028is where the community can come together. It also has \u2028a world-class fitness center, spa, wellness center, boutique hotel, co-working space and a range of dining and retail options. The art gallery is a standout feature, showcasing work by acclaimed international and New Zealand artists and hosting exhibitions, workshops and cultural events. Projects like these focus on longevity.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Changing Trends in Health \u2028and Home<\/strong><\/h5>\n

As longevity continues to move from niche trend to \u2028a defining economic and lifestyle force, luxury real \u2028estate stands at a compelling intersection of health \u2028and home. Ultimately, the aging millionaire boom is reshaping the real estate market: affluent homebuyers \u2028are not following old retirement playbooks but creating \u2028new ones\u2014building and buying properties that support extended lifespans, deeper well-being and richer life experiences. \u201cIn this era of longevity, luxury real estate \u2028is no longer just about where you live but how well and \u2028how long you can live there,\u201d Fahmi says.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Young luxury homebuyers are \u2028increasingly seeking strong \u2028design and turnkey living with \u2028properties such as an ocean – view house in a residential condominium in Trancoso, Brazil.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Future-Proofing for Younger Buyers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The longevity conversation in luxury real estate isn\u2019t only happening among older homebuyers\u2014it\u2019s starting decades earlier than you might expect. Luxury real estate professionals across global prime markets are reporting a notable demographic shift among buyers\u2014namely, an increase of buyers in their 30s and 40s. While ultra-\u2028luxury ownership was once dominated by older, legacy-wealth buyers, today\u2019s property market reflects the growing influence of younger high-net-worth individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the 2026 Mid-Year Sotheby\u2019s International Realty agent \u2028survey, the biggest surge in homebuyers were millennials (those born between \u20281981 and 1996), with 55% of respondents from around the world seeing an uptick of homebuyers from this generation in their real estate markets, particularly those dealing in properties worth US$5 million\u2028or more. \u201cIt\u2019s incredible to see how \u2028many buyers in their 30s and 40s are purchasing properties in the US$7 million\u2028 to US$25 million range,\u201d says Anna Sherrill, senior global real estate advisor, ONE Sotheby\u2019s International Realty in Miami, Florida. \u201cSome have inherited wealth, \u2028while others are entrepreneurs in tech, finance, crypto or other businesses they built at a young age.\u201d Others represent \u2028the next generation of family wealth, benefiting from intergenerational transfers that are occurring sooner and in larger amounts, she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is interesting is that many younger buyers are already very focused \u2028on health, longevity and anti-aging,\u201d \u2028Sherrill continues. In a March 2025 report, UBS notes that demographic shifts, rising life expectancy and an accelerating transfer of wealth between generations \u2028are key drivers of changing homebuyer behavior.6 Affluent households are \u2028planning for longer, healthier lives and entering the luxury real estate market\u2014\u2028not as late-career consolidators but \u2028as long-term lifestyle planners.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile older homebuyers tend \u2028to prioritize continuity, comfort and healthcare access, younger homebuyers focus on flexibility and performance\u2014both lifestyle-driven and investment-oriented. Yet the convergence is unmistakable,\u201d \u2028says Elena Araya Call\u00eds, country manager, Costa Rica Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike older buyers who may retrofit properties later in order to age in place, younger buyers increasingly want homes that are \u201cfuture-proofed\u201d from the start\u2014\u2028that is, designed to support their well-being over decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey expect high-level wellness amenities, strong design, privacy, and turnkey living from the beginning,\u201d says Sherrill. \u201cCompared to older buyers, they tend to be more global, more design-driven and less willing to compromise. They are buying with a long-term lifestyle in mind, even if they do not plan to live in the home full-time right away.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How the longevity and wellness industry is reshaping luxury real estate – the wealthiest homebuyers are getting older, and building homes to match their needs.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":237480086,"featured_media":5496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{excerpt}\r\n\r\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[765166367,135,765166251],"tags":[765166368,765166396,765166370,765166397,765166393,765166394,765165400,765166395],"class_list":["post-5494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-765166367","category-articles-of-interest","category-luxury-outlook-report","tag-2026-luxury-outlook","tag-blue-zone","tag-global-real-estate-market","tag-home-buyers","tag-longevity","tag-millionaires","tag-only-liv-sothebys-international-realty","tag-wellness-industry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t