From Manila’s rising towers to New York’s iconic skyline, these are the top contenders in 2026’s luxury real estate market.

The Middle East – Dubai in particular – has dominated the luxury real estate market in recent years, drawing investors from all over the world. Rising property values here are mainly driven by countries’ investor-friendly regulations and opulent lifestyle, as well as rising HNWI migration numbers. However, discerning investors know that luxury does not limit itself geographically. So, if you’re looking to diversify your portfolio beyond the Middle East’s impressive surge, here are some of most compelling investment opportunities that have presented themselves in 2025:

Asia-Pacific
Kai Tak, Hong Kong

For 18 consecutive years, Hong Kong has been ranked by Knight Frank as the city with the world’s second-highest per-unit prices for luxury homes. Having experienced fierce competition in the prime residential real estate market, Hong Kong is seeing a number of residential projects like The Henley and Pavillia Forest underway near the old Kai Tak Airport by Victoria Harbour. Coupled with new transportation networks set to connect the area to Kowloon, the prices for an
apartment that’s 1,870 sq ft. are currently at $10+ million.

Manila Bay, Philippines

The Philippines has seen a surge in popularity, especially around the Manila Bay area. It is ranked the world’s second-best city on Knight Frank’s Prime International Residential Index, part of the property consultancy’s annual Wealth Report for 2025. Strong local wealth creation, combined with an increase in luxury developments, has made Manila Bay attract the attention of buyers both from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Premium properties – think 10,000 sq ft. penthouses – now sell for about $14 million in this area.

Europe
Islington, London, UK

Having been a major metropolis for nearly two millennia, London clearly remains a top luxury home destination with its fair share of uberluxe properties. While Mayfair, Chelsea, and Knightsbridge remain among the most famous neighbourhoods, Islington, despite being a tiny borough, has in recent years risen to become an upscale area drawing professionals who value being close to the city centre. With properties like Victorian villas and Georgian townhouses going for $2.75 million, Islington is a popular pick for families who like the community feel.

Jerónimos, Madrid, Spain

For those who want a more relaxed, laid-back life, but also a safe and clean environment, Madrid proves to be a strong contender. With a rich culture and an increasing number of developers building luxury residences, Madrid has become a popular destination for close to 1.5 million Latin Americans. Close to El Reiro Park is Jerónimos, an area that is picking up interest among those looking to settle with their families. A three-bedroom penthouse here will cost around $7 million.

North America
New York City, USA

Similar to London, New York is a city that experiences high demand in luxury real estate. From ultra-wealthy individuals looking for a second home to professionals looking for apartments dotted amid the city’s iconic skyline, the Big Apple tends to attract HNWI eyeing luxury real estate acquisitions with long-term value. SoHo, the Upper East Side, and Central Park are a few of its prime neighbourhoods. In terms of prices, New York boroughs vary widely (one might even say wildly) – for example, a three-bed penthouse can cost anywhere from $2 million to upwards of $100 million.

Living the good life

In conclusion, while newer upstarts like Manila have started to capture headlines, established counterparts like New York and London remain resilient and provide the assurance of being safe bets for investment. Building on the rising momentum of the past few years, 2025 has seen many new and exciting opportunities pop up in luxury real estate, with a wide range of cities proving they can strike a good balance between potential for growth and stable investments.

So, whether you’re looking to settle down with your family in a renowned hotspot or want to boldly explore new horizons, from Asia to the Middle East, Europe to North and Latin America, the world, quite literally, is your oyster.