The residential real estate sector is increasingly incorporating wellness-focused amenities and design elements as demand for healthier living environments grows in the post-pandemic era. Industry experts say that features such as meditation rooms, advanced sleep technology, and on-site child care are becoming standard offerings in new developments, reflecting a broader shift towards holistic well-being in housing.
A recent report from the Global Wellness Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to wellness research and education, projects the international wellness real estate market could nearly double in value, rising from $876 billion in 2025 to $1.8 trillion by 2030. This expected growth highlights increasing consumer interest in living spaces that promote better health outcomes beyond traditional measures.
"There’s really a yearning in this new normal, post pandemic, to not just live longer, but live better," said Larry Korman, chief executive officer of AKA, a brand specializing in long-term stays and hotel-style residences. Earlier this year, AKA launched a wellness initiative incorporating features such as fitness centers, sleep-enhancing technology—including weighted blankets and customized pillow options—and healthy dining to support residents' well-being.
Traditionally, wellness-focused real estate has emphasized diet, exercise, outdoor access, restful sleep, and mindfulness practices like meditation. However, firms like Gensler, a global architectural practice with a dedicated wellness division, report a widening scope of offerings that integrate social and environmental benefits. These include on-site child care and pet care facilities, composting programs, and green building standards aimed at fostering community engagement and sustainable living.
Michael Schur, co-leader of Gensler’s wellness practice, noted, "We’re seeing more community-driven spaces within the projects that we’re designing." An example is Pearl House in Manhattan’s financial district, a conversion of office space into residential units featuring 30,000 square feet of amenities. These include a “creator’s room” for artistic pursuits, a cafe, co-working areas, a bowling alley, and a golf swing lab, designed to encourage social interaction—recognized as a key element of health and wellness.
Beyond amenities, wellness real estate also focuses on infrastructure components such as building materials, acoustic design for improved sleep quality, and advanced air-filtration systems—a feature that gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Korman emphasized that future developments are likely to prioritize engineering elements that enhance lighting, air quality, and water access. "I think that’ll be the biggest trend in wellness real estate at a macro level," he said.
As residents increasingly seek living environments that support physical, mental, and social health, developers and designers are responding with more comprehensive wellness strategies that integrate lifestyle, community, and environmental considerations into residential real estate projects.