Experts in premium residential real estate are identifying a distinct new category at the top of the market, dubbed the "presidence." This format, designed for multigenerational ownership, is gaining traction worldwide as the number of ultra-wealthy individuals continues to climb. According to Knight Frank's Wealth Report 2026, the number of individuals worth over US$30 million rose from 551,435 to 713,626 between 2021 and 2026, an increase of over 160,000. Forbes records 3,428 billionaires with a combined wealth of US$20.1 trillion.
The presidence concept is a self-contained community of private residences anchored by a five-star hotel under an international brand. It is built to be lived in and passed down across generations, rather than simply owned. This trend reflects a structural shift in global wealth, which is becoming more mobile. Henley & Partners projects that 165,000 high-net-worth individuals will relocate internationally in 2026, a 16% rise from the record 142,000 in 2025, as affluent families build cross-border portfolios of homes and residence rights.
The appetite for professionally serviced, brand-anchored homes is evident in the development pipeline. Savills reports that the number of branded residential schemes worldwide grew 19% in 2025 to around 910, and is on course to reach 1,747 by 2032, with the Middle East and North Africa the fastest-growing region over the past five years at 187%.
Real estate adviser Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor Pte Ltd and adjunct faculty at Singapore Management University, has articulated the defining criteria of a presidence in a recent column. He notes that a property of this kind should occupy an exceptional location, be built to the highest standards, provide space, a healthy natural environment, security, and self-sufficiency. It should create a place where owners and their families can live out every stage of life, from building careers to raising children and enjoying leisure, ultimately passing the home down through generations.
The format is being formalized into a fuller set of criteria, including a five-star hotel operated by an international brand present in at least three countries; a single estate of 200 hectares or more; full-spectrum infrastructure within one perimeter, including indoor and outdoor sports, a central clubhouse, wellness, dining, parks, a medical centre, and a lifestyle anchor such as a golf, equestrian, or yacht club; a clear separation of public and private zones; a 24/7 premium service model with a dedicated resident care team and concierge services; a unified architectural code; and an equal-neighbour principle fostering a community of like-minded owners.
Fully integrated examples remain rare worldwide, and demand is running ahead of supply as the number of ultra-wealthy households continues to grow. This emerging category signals a shift in what the wealthiest buyers seek: not just luxury, but a lasting legacy.
