Dubai luxury homes shift towards wellness as global market set to top $1 trillion
UAE market records rapid expansion in health-focused developments
DUBAI – Dubai's luxury real estate sector is being encouraged to embrace wellness as a core design principle rather than a premium add-on, as demand for healthier living environments continues to rise worldwide.
A new report by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) says the next stage of the industry's evolution will be driven by homes and communities designed to actively support long-term health. The report also highlights collaboration across multiple disciplines as the key to achieving this goal, particularly in fast-growing markets such as the UAE.
Dubai-based luxury developer Keturah has welcomed the findings, saying the shift presents an opportunity for the wider property industry to work together and strengthen Dubai's position as a global leader in wellness real estate.
Wellness real estate
According to the GWI's latest Initiative Trends report, the global wellness real estate sector is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2029, marking a transition from wellness as a luxury aspiration to an evidence-based foundation for residential development.
Earlier this year, the institute identified the UAE among the world's fastest-growing wellness real estate markets. It reported that wellness real estate now accounts for more than 12 percent of all construction activity in the country, with the market expanding from $3.3 billion in 2017 to $14.6 billion in 2025.
The report also revealed that more than 555,000 wellness-focused residential units are in the pipeline across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Dubai developments highlighted include Keturah Reserve, the Dh5.7 billion bio-living community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City's District 7, and the Ritz-Carlton Residences at Keturah Resort beside Dubai Creek, which is expected to become the region's first wellness-certified waterfront community.
Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of Keturah, said the industry's future depends on collaboration rather than competition.
"The next phase for the industry is collaboration rather than competition," he said. "We need planners, architects, public health leaders and wellness professionals working together, not developers acting alone. Dubai has the government vision and the market momentum to lead this globally, and now the wider industry needs to catch up."
Design trends
The report identifies four major trends shaping the future of wellness real estate. One is primal architecture, which incorporates softer lighting, natural materials and intuitive wayfinding to help reduce stress and create calmer living environments.
Another is neuroarchitecture, where neuroscience is applied to understand how lighting, acoustics and spatial design influence mood, cognitive function and long-term health. The GWI also points to a growing emphasis on reducing exposure to microplastics by replacing synthetic finishes with natural materials such as wool, stone and solid wood, recognising buildings as part of preventive healthcare.
The report further highlights the importance of walkable, healthier communities that promote mobility, independence and healthy ageing, with better-designed neighbourhoods helping residents maintain wellbeing throughout their lives.