Speaking at HoSkar Night Manila on 29th October at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Savills Hotels senior director and head for Southeast Asia Mauro Gasparotti unpacked the structural surge behind luxury real estate and the rapid rise of branded residences across the region.
According to Gasparotti, two sub-sectors are capturing the lion’s share of momentum: hospitality and prime property.
He said: “Consumers are shifting away from merely buying material goods toward purchasing experiences, particularly at the high end.
Gasparotti likewise noted that prime residential acquisitions abroad serve as crucial hedges against inflation, mechanisms for wealth preservation, and avenues for relocation.
Five priorities
To understand where capital is flowing, Gasparotti highlighted five non-negotiable priorities shaping the modern buyer’s calculus:
- Global business and connectivity Beyond predictable tax regimes, seamless international aviation and digital readiness dictate choice. As he put it: “Digital infrastructure is far more than an in-unit Wi-Fi connection; it encompasses the complete smart ecosystem surrounding the resident;”
- Multi-generational living With up to seven living generations co-existing today, floor plates are expanding. Gasparotti pointed out that developers are no longer merely selling condominiums. Rather, they are building communities with dedicated amenities for all age brackets;
- Legacy and wealth preservation As the largest intergenerational wealth transfer unfolds, buyers seek assets engineered to retain capital value. An established operator guarantees operational consistency and long-term asset stewardship;
- Lifestyle and wellness Driven by curated gastronomy and preventive longevity design, wellness real estate reflects the reality that individuals spend roughly 90 per cent of their lives indoors; and
- Comprehensive security Traditional physical guards now sit alongside enterprise-grade cybersecurity to safeguard smart home systems and private access.
Branded residences have emerged as the premier vehicle unifying these demands.
Indeed, the sector has expanded globally by over 180 per cent, with the Asia-Pacific region expanding at twice the global average and positioned to outstrip both Dubai and the United States.
Regional tales
Regional dynamics, however, tell distinct stories: Vietnam, for example, has surged as a global heavyweight, where pre-selling branded condotels served developers as a vital capital-raising tool amidst high domestic borrowing rates.
Thailand, on the other hand, boasts a mature, balanced landscape spanning metropolitan Bangkok and prime beachfront enclaves in Phuket.
Meanwhile, the Philippines presents significant untapped potential despite its own economic and political headwinds.
Gasparotti explained that the Philippine market is at an early stage with substantial upside, having originated in urban Metro Manila before venturing into resort destinations.
Compared to ultra-luxury benchmarks in Bangkok or Vietnam, substantial runway remains for local developers.
The diversification of property types
Gasparotti also pointed out the way property types are becoming more diverse throughout the region.
Beyond traditional co-located hotel residences and condotel rental pools, standalone residential towers managed by global hospitality groups are gaining traction.
Non-hotel entrants which range from fashion houses to automotive marques are also securing market share through design-led licensing partnerships.
However, in closing, Gasparotti issued a sharp caveat to ambitious builders: prestige branding cannot compensate for deficient fundamentals.
A hospitality flag alone will not salvage an uninspired scheme; lasting premiums belong strictly to developers who ground their assets in intelligent space planning, robust infrastructure, and authentic wellness integration.
