A distinct new category is forming at the very top of the premium residential market, according to property experts. Termed the 'presidence,' this format combines private residences with shared infrastructure and a five-star hotel under an international brand, designed for multigenerational living and inheritance rather than mere ownership.
The trend reflects a structural shift in global wealth. Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026 shows the number of individuals worth over US$30 million rose from 551,435 to 713,626 between 2021 and 2026—a gain of more than 160,000, equivalent to 89 people crossing that threshold daily. Forbes records 3,428 billionaires with a combined net worth of US$20.1 trillion. This wealth is increasingly mobile: Henley & Partners projects 165,000 high-net-worth individuals will relocate internationally in 2026, a 16% rise from the record 142,000 in 2025, as affluent families build cross-border portfolios of homes rather than tying themselves to one jurisdiction.
The appetite for professionally serviced, brand-anchored homes is evident in the development pipeline. Savills reports that branded residential schemes worldwide grew 19% in 2025 to around 910, and are on course to reach 1,747 by 2032, with the Middle East and North Africa the fastest-growing region over the past five years at 187%.
As the apex of the wealth pyramid rises, demand at the top is moving away from price-per-square-foot toward space, privacy, wellbeing, and a home that can be held and passed down across generations. Real estate adviser Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor Pte Ltd and adjunct faculty at Singapore Management University, set out the case in a recent column: "Luxury residence has a new crown, and it has a name: presidence."
According to Ku, a presidence should meet several defining criteria: an exceptional location, highest quality construction, ample space, a healthy natural environment, security, and self-sufficiency. It should allow owners and families to live out every stage of life—building careers, raising children, enjoying leisure, prioritising health, welcoming friends, and ultimately passing the home down. Privacy does not mean isolation; rather, residents become part of a carefully formed community of peers with comparable values and interests.
These principles are being formalised into a fuller set of criteria. At its most complete, a presidence is defined by: a five-star hotel operated by an international brand present in at least three countries; a single estate of at least 200 hectares (around 500 acres); full-spectrum infrastructure within one perimeter—indoor and outdoor sport, a central clubhouse, wellness, dining, parks, a medical centre, recreation, security, and a lifestyle anchor such as a golf, equestrian, or yacht club; a clear separation of public and private zones, with residences behind multi-layered security and isolated from guest-facing spaces; a 24/7 premium service model with a dedicated resident care team, concierge, standardised SLAs, and a digital platform; a unified architectural code; and an equal-neighbour principle fostering a community of like-minded owners.
Fully integrated examples remain rare worldwide, and demand is running ahead of supply as the number of ultra-wealthy households continues to grow. This emerging category signals a fundamental shift in how the world's wealthiest choose to live and invest, prioritising legacy and community over mere opulence.
