The most desirable real estate isn’t just a place to inhabit; it’s about forging emotional connections.
Covetable homes are, increasingly, defined not by simply location, but by the lifestyles they represent. From landmark developments in London to private retreats on the French Riviera, from soaring penthouses in the Middle East to country estates set amid Europe’s rolling landscapes, today’s most desirable properties reflect an emotional connection to location.
In this year’s selection of our favourite properties, the entire narrative, when it comes to the lived experience in the British capital’s most desirable locales, is rewritten. Elsewhere, whether on land or at sea, the properties we’ve chosen have in common a commitment to craftsmanship, privacy and experience. Combined, our picks illustrate a market that is less concerned with ownership alone and more focused on creating environments that enrich everyday life—places designed not merely to be inhabited, but to be enjoyed, shared and remembered.
Branded-Residence Developer: BNW Developments
In the UAE’s increasingly competitive luxury property market, the strongest branded residences do more than borrow the cachet of a familiar name: they give that identity architectural form. BNW Developments has made this approach central to its growing portfolio, working with established hospitality and lifestyle brands.
Founded by Ankur Aggarwal, a chartered accountant, BNW has expanded rapidly, with projects across Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai—including collaborations with Radisson Blu and Ramada Residences by Wyndham—and a gross development value exceeding AED32 billion (around €7.6 billion).
The company’s distinctive approach is visible on Al Marjan Island, where Tonino Lamborghini Residences draws on the Italian brand’s taste for bold design, with cascading terraces and sky gardens shaping apartments and penthouses alongside villas and mansions. Elsewhere on the island, Taj Wellington Mews places hospitality at the core of the experience. Its two curving waterfront towers will host 336 hotel apartments, bringing Taj’s service culture into a residential setting.
These two projects—both scheduled for completion in 2028—show BNW at its best: translating recognisable brand identities into architecture with real character. While the brand name may spark initial interest, it is thoughtful design, enduring quality and a genuine sense of place that define lasting value.
Postcode: Westminster Tower by London Square
Rising above the great River Thames on London’s Albert Embankment, and commanding uninterrupted views of one of the world’s most iconic seats of power, Westminster Tower—situated at 3 Albert Embankment— comprises 30 two- and three-bedroom homes, plus an ultra-prestigious pair of penthouses.
Delivered by much-lauded developer London Square, all have light-bathed interiors with a sophisticated take on minimalism—think meticulously engineered chevron floors, artisanal millwork and joinery, and ambient lighting. The project has been conceived and executed by design agency Mustard & Linen, which here offers a masterclass in creating an engaging, characterful ambience that lets the extraordinary vistas take the lead.
Residents of the £150 million (around €174 million) development can choose between two distinct design palettes; whichever they opt for, the first owners the building receives will find it extremely difficult to believe that this 17-storey edifice was originally conceived for commercial purposes.
Many of the British capital’s most recognisable landmarks—from the imperious majesty of Big Ben to the Gothic grandeur of the Houses of Parliament —are visible via floor-to-ceiling windows. At nightfall, the river’s nocturnal drama unfolds in a glittering panorama of reflected light.
Beyond the private residences, The Westminster Club provides a discreet suite of amenities, including a 24-hour concierge, screening room, reading room, residents’ lounge and fitness suite—hotel-calibre conveniences delivered on an impressively intimate scale. From €2.89 million
Floating Residence: ULYSSIA Residences
The most desirable real estate has traditionally been fixed to a view, coastline or city. ULYSSIA offers a different proposition: a private residence whose address changes with the horizon. Envisioned by entrepreneur Frank Binder and designed by Espen Øino, the Monaco-based naval architect, the 323 m residential yacht has been conceived as a floating community for owners seeking the permanence of a home without the limitations of a single location.
When complete, ULYSSIA will comprise 122 private residences and 22 guest suites, with homes designed as full-scale residences rather than cabins. That residential intent is reflected in the design approach. Interiors are customisable, with FM Architettura leading the common-space interiors and designers including Jean-Michel Gathy, LINLEY, Nicole Hollis, Katharine Pooley and Jenan Hajjar appointed to bring individuality to the private residences.
What makes ULYSSIA significant within a real-estate context is the infrastructure around those homes. Alongside restaurants, education spaces, a marina, sports facilities and expedition access, the project brings in Swiss wellness group Chenot to oversee health and wellbeing onboard. The result is closer to a private residential club than a conventional yacht: a place where design, service, wellness and discovery are stitched into daily life.
With the vessel officially ordered and the build secured with China Merchants Cruise Shipbuilding (CMCS), a significant milestone has been reached as the project moves closer to reality, moving her one step closer to a maiden voyage in Monaco in 2031. All partners remain unchanged, bringing together an international team of experts across yachting, wellness, exploration, aviation and hospitality.
ULYSSIA is not simply a yacht with apartments onboard. It is a response to a shift already visible at the top of the property market: the desire for residences that offer privacy, service, community and mobility in equal measure. For owners whose lives are already global, ULYSSIA turns mobility itself into the defining luxury. Residences start at around €10 million, with penthouse pricing available on application
London Sanctuary: 1 Five Fields Square, Chelsea Barracks
Chelsea Barracks—the prestigious London neighbourhood that has been taking shape since Qatari Diar Europe acquired the 5.2-hectare site in 2008—is surely one of the world’s most enviable addresses, comprising a peerless offering of apartments, penthouses and townhouses. And whoever ends up calling one particular residence home, will hold the key to arguably the British capital’s most stunningly appointed bolthole, as well as one of the best situated.
Albion Nord is the visionary design studio behind a 254 m², three-bedroom property which is positioned perfectly to overlook the public green space deftly landscaped by Gustafson Porter + Bowman. Over to Ben Johnson, founder and studio director at Albion Nord, for how the stunning decor before you was conceived. “We wanted to create something far more meaningful than a beautiful interior,” he says. “We set out to create a sanctuary within the city—a home that immediately slows the pace of everyday life and offers a genuine sense of escape. For today’s discerning buyer, true luxury is not only about space or craftsmanship: it’s about creating an atmosphere of calm, privacy and comfort the moment you walk through the door.”
Drawing inspiration from Chelsea’s rich artistic, literary and musical heritage, the design is layered with narrative and character, balancing elegance with a sense of warmth and discovery. From the dark-green wool walls and velvet drapery to the interplay between antiques, bespoke contemporary design and the verdant views of Five Fields Square, every element has been carefully considered to craft a deeply immersive experience. The result is a home that feels timeless and personal —a refined retreat that connects past and present while providing a quiet haven in the heart of one of London’s most desirable enclaves.
Amenities, meanwhile, include restaurants, shops, seven traditional garden squares, a stateof- the-art health club, sports facilities and spa. Chelsea Barracks has defied the challenges faced by the global property market to become the most successful Super Prime Central London development in history. Consider this stunning property a clear signal as to why. €17.95 million
Riviera Glamour: Villa Jardin At Le Provençal
Le Provençal has always belonged to the mythology of the Côte d’Azur. Built in 1927 at the gateway to Cap d’Antibes, the former hotel helped define Juan-les-Pins as a playground for artists, writers and international socialites. Its salons and sea-facing terraces once lured figures from the worlds of fashion, film, literature and music. The stay of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, later the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, adds another layer to its Riviera legend.
Villa Jardin carries that history into the present. Developed by Caudwell, the five-bedroom, Art Deco landmark combines 600 m² of contemporary living space with almost 920 m² of private terraces and gardens. Arranged as a main duplex home with an interlinked guest residence and separate pool house, it offers the privacy of a standalone villa within one of the Riviera’s most significant residential conversions.
Caudwell’s interiors draw on the colour, landscape and artistic heritage of the South of France, with references to the Duchess of Windsor’s own homes as well as the region’s long association with artists including Picasso and Cocteau. Beyond the expansive reception rooms, media room, study and bedroom suites, the residence opens onto landscaped terraces and an 11 m swimming pool.
What makes Villa Jardin exceptional is the way it compresses a century of Riviera history into a home designed for contemporary life. Priced at €29 million, the property offers a rare chance to own part of Le Provençal’s enduring glamour, reinterpreted for modern living.
Mediterranean Estate: Villa Marjolaine, Antibes
There exists a delicious juxtaposition behind the story of Villa Marjolaine, being that this peaceful Riviera oasis, nestled among 180 olive trees on 2.7 hectares of Mediterranean landscape, is owned by Dr. Christian Heil, founder of acclaimed French loudspeaker manufacturer L-Acoustics.
And while the brand’s celebrated sonic systems are indeed installed at the property, a distinct air of seclusion pervades at a residence that hums with architectural heritage. This rare estate— a masterwork of architect André Svetchine, and restored by international design studio Cochet Païs and artistic director Lynda Boulelli—draws inspiration from the gardens of Spain’s Alhambra complex while preserving its Provençal soul.
Elegant living spaces are spread over 1,200 m², encompassing generous reception rooms, winter and summer dining areas, a family kitchen and seven bedrooms. The sense of retreat is enhanced by a wellness area, complete with sauna, hammam, and fitness and massage rooms. And yet, in another pleasing dichotomy, Villa Marjolaine is within easy reach of Nice, Cannes and Monaco. The property is for sale for €14.2 million, with Michaël Zingraf Real Estate
