Wellbeing on the real estate market

Just over a dozen years ago, the attractiveness of a property was determined primarily by its location, price and floor area. Today, selection criteria are much broader. Buyers are increasingly paying attention to quality of life, access to green areas, everyday comfort, opportunities for active leisure and solutions that support health and wellbeing. All these elements are part of the concept of wellbeing, which is becoming one of the most important trends shaping the contemporary real estate market.

Changing customer expectations mean that developers are increasingly designing projects not only as groups of residential buildings, but as comprehensive living spaces. The aim is to create an environment that has a positive impact on residents’ health, comfort and everyday experiences. Wellbeing is therefore becoming one of the indicators of development quality and an important element in building long-term value.

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing means a state, in which a person feels good physically, mentally and socially. It includes not only health, but also a sense of security, comfort of living, the ability to rest, contact with nature and functioning in a friendly environment.

In the context of the real estate market, wellbeing means designing buildings and entire housing estates in a way that supports residents’ everyday lives. What matters is not only the apartments themselves, but also common areas, infrastructure and the surroundings of the development.

An increasing number of studies show that a properly designed residential environment helps reduce stress levels, improve health, increase physical activity and build social ties. It is therefore no surprise that wellbeing has become one of the main directions in the development of modern residential construction.

How is wellbeing changing the real estate market?

A dozen or so years ago, the standard was primarily functional apartments and parking spaces. Today, customer expectations are much higher. Buyers are increasingly paying attention to:

• proximity to parks and green areas,
• walking and cycling paths,
• playgrounds and recreational zones,
• spaces that foster resident integration,
• high air quality and adequate building ventilation,
• good daylight access in apartments,
• energy-efficient solutions that reduce operating costs,
• quiet surroundings and acoustic comfort,
• access to shops, schools, services and public transport.

Developers have begun investing in solutions that increase residents’ comfort. Green roofs, rain gardens, coworking zones, recreational areas and smart energy management systems are being created. Such solutions improve quality of life, increase the attractiveness of a development and enhance its market value.

Wellbeing in practice

The Polish residential market is increasingly following global trends. Although only a few years ago wellbeing-related solutions were associated mainly with the premium segment, they are now becoming standard in increasing number of developments.

One of the best-known examples is Miasteczko Wilanów in Warsaw. The district was designed in line with the idea of a resident-friendly city. Numerous cycle paths, green areas, urban squares and well-developed service infrastructure make it possible to meet most everyday needs within a short distance of one’s place of residence.

In new residential developments, solutions that support residents’ wellbeing are being incorporated. Projects include green courtyards, rain gardens, spaces for recreation and integration, extensive cycling infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations. Attention is paid to adequate sunlight access in apartments, the quality of finishing materials and solutions that improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Certified building materials, rainwater retention systems and smart building management are gaining popularity. At the same time, housing estates are being designed to limit car traffic, so that the space between buildings can be used for greenery, recreation and friendly places to spend time.

Global examples show that wellbeing can form the foundation for the design of entire districts. One of the best-known projects is Lake Nona in Orlando, United States. It is a modern district designed with residents’ health in mind. It includes extensive walking and cycling paths, smart infrastructure, numerous green areas, as well as medical and educational facilities.

Kampung Admiralty in Singapore is also noteworthy. It is a multifunctional complex combining housing, medical services, retail and recreational spaces. The project was designed to support social activity and a healthy lifestyle among residents, particularly older people.

BedZED in the United Kingdom also remains one of the pioneering eco-neighbourhoods. The development uses renewable energy sources, water recovery systems, solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions and numerous common spaces that foster the integration of the local community.

Wellbeing as a new standard and value on the real estate market

Wellbeing is having an increasingly clear impact on the real estate market, becoming not only a response to residents’ changing needs, but also a factor affecting the value and attractiveness of developments. Projects offering a higher quality of life attract greater buyer interest, providing them with greater everyday comfort, better conditions for remote work, a higher level of safety and lower operating costs thanks to energy-efficient solutions.

From the perspective of developers, wellbeing is a way to build a competitive advantage and create developments that respond to customers’ growing expectations, while for institutional investors it may be one of the elements influencing the long-term potential of a property. In the coming years, the importance of these solutions will grow alongside the development of sustainable construction and new technologies. More greenery, smart building management systems, high energy efficiency, solutions improving air quality and spaces conducive to resident integration will become standard.

The concept of the 15-minute city will also remain an important direction, facilitating access to key services and reducing the need to use a car. As a result, within a few years wellbeing may cease to be a distinguishing feature of premium developments alone and become one of the basic standards of modern residential construction. Comfort of living, a healthy environment, access to greenery, energy efficiency and well-designed common areas will play an increasingly important role in property selection, influencing the decisions of residents and buyers, as well as the perceived value and long-term attractiveness of developments.