If there’s a phrase dominating today’s wellness conversation, it’s “wellness real estate.”
Just as health and wellness are shaping nearly every part of our daily lives, from the fitness apps we use to the supplements we take, they’re also influencing the spaces where we work, sleep, live and learn. It’s more than a lit candle or an indoor fountain. Today’s developers, designers and brands are pouring wellness into the foundation, at times literally, of their projects.
And there’s a good reason why: Homeowners and renters are driving the shift with expectations that their spaces should support performance, longevity and health just as much as convenience.
Here’s how some of the leading names are racing to turn that vision into reality, from Miami’s Sky High Wellness Club to recovery-driven residences in Fort Lauderdale, mixed-use projects in Durham and new multisensory design concepts from Kohler.
For luxury developers, the message is clear: wellness must be designed into the DNA of a project, not retrofitted as an amenity. At JEM Private Residences in Miami, Naftali Group has leaned into the concept with the Sky High Wellness Club.
“The Sky High Wellness Club at JEM really represents a new chapter in how we see luxury living,” Danielle Naftali, Naftali Group’s executive vice president of marketing, sales and design, said. “It’s not just a beautiful gym or spa but rather a social hub built around well-being.”
The space, designed for outdoor living, offers a mist garden, yoga deck, cold plunge and even outdoor boxing. “It offers an alternative to traditional nightlife, encouraging connection through restorative practices all set against Miami’s breathtaking skyline,” she said. “The integration of wellness, outdoor living, and social engagement is setting a new standard in how residents experience both luxury and well-being in their daily lives. Today’s discerning buyers expect design that is intelligent, meaningful and restorative, and that’s the standard we hold ourselves to.”
PMG Residential is taking a similar approach in South Florida. Its upcoming Sage Intracoastal Residences in Fort Lauderdale will feature a “wellness circuit” that flows through the entire building, from lobby to private residences.
“Rather than confining wellness to the spa or fitness center, every space contributes to a mindful lifestyle experience that enhances both physical and mental well-being,” PMG’s director of sales Raquel Kaufman said.
Meanwhile, at Twenty Sixth and 2nd Wynwood Residences, PMG has created a Zen Glass House, a meditation and yoga space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass to take advantage of natural light.
“When you prioritize high-quality materials, exceptional craftsmanship and create genuinely serene environments, the Instagram-worthy moments happen naturally,” Kaufman said. “For Gen Z, authenticity matters more than anything staged or contrived. By creating an environment that feels mindful and purposeful, we expect that residents will genuinely want to share that experience.”
For Fort Lauderdale’s Riva Residenze, WellDuo co-founder Eduardo Pelaez said the vision was to translate the elegance of a Riva yacht into a residential sanctuary with a spa, hydrotherapy pools, sauna, steam room, an experience shower and private treatment lounge. “Well-being has been a key part of our vision from day one,” Pelaez said. “We wanted residents to feel a sense of peace the moment they enter the building, just as they would aboard a Riva yacht.” Style was also a key focus, ensuring that the spaces feel as good as they look. “Every finish, from polished wood to the soft textures in the spa lounge, was chosen for form and function,” he said. “The result feels authentic to the space and reflects Riva’s elegance and craftsmanship while utilizing materials that will last.”
“For Gen Z, authenticity matters more than anything staged or contrived. By creating an environment that feels mindful and purposeful, we expect that residents will genuinely want to share that experience.” Raquel Kaufman, Director of Sales PMG Residential.
The model is expanding beyond private condos into mixed-use developments where fitness and wellness brands serve as anchor tenants. In Durham, North Carolina, boutique strength brand Solidcore and indoor cycling studio Revel have signed on at The Novus, a luxury tower with 188 rental apartments and 54 condos. They’ll be joined by Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar, with additional retail tenants expected to follow.
“We are thrilled to bring the joy, growth and community we have found through rhythm-based indoor cycling to the heart of the Bull City,” Revel founder Mia Wise said.
In Florida, Newrock Partners’ Oaklyn community has brought in Pure Barre, Pause Studio and boutique retailer Monkee’s to create a wellness hub within its 274 apartments. Joining them is Carrot Express, a fast-casual healthy eatery that has vegan and vegetarian options.
Recovery is also becoming a defining element of wellness real estate, not just a way to unwind. At Virgin Hotel New York, exhale Spa has introduced a luxurious contrast therapy circuit where guests alternate between a 175-degree sauna and a 28-degree Snow Room, the first of its kind in the city. Designed for serenity, The Snow Room features softly falling snow that delivers the benefits of cold therapy without the discomfort of an ice bath or cryotherapy chamber.
“Recovery is a part of total well-being, and we’re scaling our experiences across all exhale Spa locations. 2026 will bring new ways to recover at exhale with contrast therapy, infrared sauna, cold plunge and more,” exhale Spa director of brand and marketing Hannah Wieckowski said. She notes that the spa has seen the demand for recovery services increase with its members. “We’ve partnered with companies like SALT who bring years of experience in optimizing the recovery experience and offerings,” Wieckowski said.
Amenity specialists are also influencing the trend. LIVunLtd, part of The Amenity Collective, designs and manages facilities for condos, mixed-use projects and corporate campuses. Chief executive Lisa Kendall said clients want spaces that balance sustainability, aesthetics and holistic wellness. “Whether it’s a calming yoga studio or a dynamic functional training zone, our goal is to create aesthetically pleasing and personalized spaces that inspire and support overall wellness,” she said.
Gen Z’s emphasis on sustainability is also shaping decisions, from eco-friendly flooring to energy-efficient lighting. “For us, sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a commitment to creating spaces that support both people and the planet,” Kendall said.
Recovery zones, boutique-style spin and yoga rooms and nutrition consulting are among the most in-demand features.
Design heritage is also playing a role. Kohler, known for luxury bathrooms and spa experiences, is extending into saunas and multisensory wellness.
“One of the most overlooked elements is the multisensory experience,” Kohler Wellness Products marketing manager Huston Sprang said. “Wellness spaces are often designed to look beautiful, but true wellness goes deeper.”
Sprang added that all elements, such as light, sound, heat, texture, air quality and aroma- therapy, should work in harmony to support overall wellness and relaxation. It’s an area where their saunas deliver, with features such as sunset lighting, quiet ventilation and ergonomic design to ensure every session is soothing and physically beneficial.
While saunas have long been associated with high-end resorts, gyms and wellness centers, Kohler is now marketing to bring personal wellness into the home, which it says has been a clear industry gap.
“Kohler’s expansion into health-centered spaces is a natural evolution of our 150-year legacy in wellness innovation,” Sprang said. “There’s a significant and growing interest in wellness-centric home design, with more consumers now viewing their homes as essential spaces for rejuvenation, recovery and personal sanctuary. The heightened focus on self-care and holistic well-being has driven a demand for creating homes that actively support these goals.”
Beyond the home, Kohler continues to forge partnerships, such as one with social wellness club Remedy Place.
“We look for partners who are finding new ways to think about well-being and who understand that true luxury is about the overall experience, not just design or aesthetics of a product,” Spring said. “Our partnership with Remedy Place is a great example. We have the same vision to redefine how people engage with self-care and overall well-being.”
