Beyond Classic Real Estate: Estates, Yachts and "Passion Properties" in UHNWI Wealth

Luxury real estate is no longer confined to apartments, lofts, penthouses and townhouses: it now extends to family homes, mountain lodges, seaside villas and so-called "passion properties" — hunting estates, farms, vineyards or olive groves — paired with complementary services like yachting, winemaking and dedicated concierge, according to my HNWI Trends 2026.

Two buyer profiles, two different portfolios. The report distinguishes three UHNWI categories — heirs, entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-heirs. The entrepreneurial profile favors serviced residences, old mills, lodges, small vineyards, digital-nomad pieds-à-terre and boutique hotels: assets that combine yield and lifestyle. The heir/authentic profile instead favors castle-hotels, hunting estates, polo grounds, converted religious buildings and classic yachts.

Yachting as an extension of real estate wealth. "Yachting represents a further extension of luxury real estate, growing steadily since the start of the century," the report notes: whether for sport, family or business, a yacht is often "a personal demonstration of family values within a tradition." For an Italian advisor with clients operating between Costa Smeralda, Monaco and the French Riviera, a well-run real estate negotiation often naturally expands into discussions about moorings and nautical management.