_Designer homes: Five-star branded residences that are global hot property

Purchasers of luxury global properties are a rarefied community. Sophisticated, well-travelled and certain in their tastes, they expect to run a critical eye over every aspect of their ideal home from the architectural style to the impeccably connected concierge.

For these urbane investors, accustomed to checking into the world’s finest hotels, branded residences from luxury household names such as Versace, Armani and Four Seasons have an obvious appeal. 

They link a luxury hotel or designer name with high-end residential space, conferring an instant reference point for quality. Just as with the purchase of an acclaimed car marque or eminent watch manufacturer, by pairing with the right brand in a main, second or third home provides residents with a reassuring familiarity, a guaranteed service level and a tried and tested design aesthetic. Inviting guests to your luxury label home, of course, confers an extra dimension of 'dressing to impress'.  

The concept was born in New York in the 1920s during an economic boom but it wasn’t until the brand-obsessed 1980s that they hit their stride.

Since then the number of branded residences has grown exponentially, with Knight Frank's research featured in 2019's Branded Residence Report showing that there are now over 400 Branded Residences in 64 countries proving that there is a global appetite for designer homes. 

And with the global ultra-wealthy population (those with $30m+ or more in net assets) forecast to rise by 22% over the next five years according to the latest Wealth Report - Knight Frank's annual publication charting global wealth and luxury spending - the model is poised to see worldwide success.

From the Four Seasons Private Residences currently under construction in Madrid to Sydney's One Barangaroo residences soaring skyward above the city's first six-star hotel, we take you on a tour of the world's most exclusive addresses where unbridled, gilded luxury is on-tap, 24-hours a day. 

New York

Hotel branded residences have been a key segment of New York City’s luxury market since the original hotel serviced residential apartments at The Sherry Netherland and The Carlyle.

While previously clustered in historically prime neighbourhoods on the Upper East Side and Midtown, new hotel branded developments have now extended into the prime Downtown market. 

The Beekman, NYC 

In 2015, starchitect Martin Brudnizki - creative mastermind behind top London bars and clubs The Ivy, Sexy Fish and Annabel's -  set about converting neglected 19th century former law offices in Lower Manhattan's Financial District into a Gothic fairy tale and award-winning hotel.

Now an official city landmark and one of New York's most celebrated and original hotels sitting at the the sharpest edge of contemporary design, interiors take their cue from the grande dame's darkly romantic Victoriana with a dramatic nine-storey atrium at its thickly decorated Gothic centrepiece.

To permanently live at The Beekman - with it's rich architectural history and five-star luxuries -  must inspire and excite daily.

Starting at the hotel's 17th floor and working their way skywards, the hotel's one, two, three-bedroom and penthouse residences designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen are described as 'private sky boxes' offering floor-to-ceiling windows with widescreen, river-to-river views of downtown to uptown landmarks. 

A direct elevator ride or phone call away are all the exclusive services offered by The Beekman - and all is a lot; starting with in-residence dining by Tom Colicchio’s newest restaurant, personal training and access to residents' private residential retreats to include a private dining room with chef’s table, media room and an 360 degree rooftop terrace with views over Manhattan. For resident designer pooches, there's even an in-house doggy day care service.

Dubai

In a city renowned for its 5-star hotels, the emergence of branded residences in Dubai has become increasingly common.

In recent years Dubai has transitioned from a holiday destination, to a city in which to invest in a more permanent home. The branded residence offering in Dubai has raised the bar even further, with its first super-prime development - The Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences.

The Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences, Dubai

In a city not best known for its pared down aesthetics, jutting upwards an outwards from Dubai's Palm Jumeirah - tree-shaped fronds of land seemingly dropped into the Arabian Gulf - and offering the 'ultimate lifestyle experience', The Atlantis Resort's freshly-launched branded residences are the most exclusive homes currently on the market in Dubai - perhaps the world. And for a city's whose currency is big and bold luxury, this best-in-class accolade certainly lives up to the hubris.

Marketed as an uber-resort crowning Dubai's newest city-defining landmark, the 231 two, three, four and five-bedroom properties, playfully stacked like a game of giant Jenga above landscaped gardens, offer future owners full customisation to include 82 different layouts, multiple interior design styles as well as a choice of private roof terraces, private infinity pools and spectacular city skyline or sea views (or both).

The result of collaboration between award-winning designers, internationally-acclaimed architects and artists, at the heart of the exclusive gated community are communal areas, 90m infinity pool and water features sitting in the cool shade of the surrounding gardens.

Exclusive concierge services are available for all residents to include housekeeping, private butlers and access to some of the world's best restaurants led by Michelin-starred chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Giorgio Locatelli and Nobu Matsuhisa.

Residences are currently being released in stages through Knight Frank Dubai

London

Since a global residential benchmark was set at One Hyde Park, the first European residences at the Mandarin Oriental, the London market has seen an increase in branded residences at the top end of the market. 

While many prime residential developments actually offer the service level and amenity akin to hotels, both hotel and residential developers have identified London as the global city of desire for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and are looking to take advantage of this focus.

Apartments at The Corinthia, London 

Described as an 'incomparable London living experience for the discerning global citizen', the eleven residences at Embankment's five-star Corinthia hotel offer just that - ultra-exclusivity in the heart of the capital, overlooking some of the capital's iconic riverfront views.

The flagship hotels history is long and storied; opened in 1885 as The Metropole hotel and later used as a government building, The Corinthia, in its current incarnation, opened in 2011 followed by the collection of private residences unveiled in 2015. 

World-class architects, designers and craftsmen have joined forces to create eleven palatial apartments and penthouse that are a best-in-class exercise in creating London's most sought after designer homes. 

Those pursuing a life of unbridled luxury, have found a home at The Corinthia Residences; along with the prestigious address comes voluminous space and no-expenses-spared craftmanship as well as residents' perks including access to the branded spa, Michelin-starred restaurants and 24-hour concierge services.  

Sydney

One Barangaroo Crown Residences marks the introduction of hotel branded residences in Australia. The arrival of branded residences at this time into Sydney is no coincidence.

Sydney continues to attract high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) by taking up a significant proportion of the 10,000 HNWIs net inflow into Australia each year, the highest of any country, for three years running as reported by New World Wealth.

This demonstrates Sydney as a rapidly advancing global city, with branded residences catering for inbound and domestic property buyers that demand the highest levels of quality and service. 

One Barangaroo Crown Residence, Sydney

There are arguably only a handful of instantly recognisable world cityscapes, among them New York's densely-packed skyline, Hong Kong's hill-backed, cloud-scraping city views, Paris's iconic Eiffel Towel and Sydney Harbour's Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Now imagine having cinemascope views one of the world's most photographed skylines from your private harbourfront residence - one of only 82 -  rising skyward above Sydney's first six-star luxury hotel.

Conceived by Australian luxury group Crown Resort, One Barangaroo defines itself as a landmark addition to Sydney Harbour - an architectural feat leveraging the Barangaroo precinct on Sydney's the western waterfront - a successfully regenerated former container terminal and now a vibrant 22-hectare waterfront dining and entertainment destination.

Future residents of One Barangaroo can expect a suite of services that define a six-star hotel to include VIP entrance, members only casino, private harbour access and signature dining. 

Taking inspiration from 'London architecture, Manhattan interiors and Balinese landscape design' One Barangaroo’s two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments and duplex

The Four Seasons Private Residences, Madrid

The five-star global hotel superbrand The Four Seasons doesn't do things by half. Catering for a coterie of like-minded individuals who place their real estate needs in the hands of superbrands, is Madrid's The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences.

Occupying a prime site in the heart of the city, Centro Canalejas, the hotel and residences are, at time of writing, being carved from several intricate and storied buildings that have over the centuries served as newspaper headquarters and banks.

Striking period features, breathtaking original facades and wrought ironwork have been brought back to life, resulting in landmark single building whose grand facade belies even grander internal workings.

Adjunct to the 200 luxury rooms are 22 one, two and three bedroom private residences sharing a level of luxury yet unseen in Madrid's prime residential market and bringing a new concept to ultra-luxe living in the Spanish capital. The appetite is certainly there, with Madrid enjoying healthy demand for real estate according to latest research. 

Here luxury services synonymous with a five-star brand are on-tap, in surroundings that bear all the hallmarks of Four Seasons exclusivity – from the finest materials and big-name interior design to the state-of-the-art technology.

The two largest duplex will span the entire top floor of the building and include large terraces with panoramic views across the city.

The perks are many; residents will have access to private chefs, chauffeurs and the hotel's on-site restaurant, spa and pool. 

According to latest Knight Frank findings, Madrid is expected to lead Knight Frank's prime residential forecast in 2019 with prices predicted to rise by 6% in 2019 thanks to relatively low cost of living, the excellent quality of life and growing demand from Latin-American UHNWIs. 

The Four Season Private Residences are currently on the market with Knight Frank.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Florida 

As famous for its celebrity fans as it is for its ultra-luxe hospitality and services, only nine locations worldwide – three of which are in the US – have been selected as befitting the Asian brand's signature residences. 

Enter The Mandarin Oriental's newest Florida outpost; located in the upmarket town of Boca Raton – the southernmost city in the state's tropical Palm Beach County, the brand's Florida address is framed by some pretty spectacular scenery that attracts the US's UHNWIs seeking a quieter pace of life. 

Each of the 92, one to six bedroom residences have panoramic ocean and golf course views and form part of The Mandarin Oriental's  newly launched urban luxury resort. 

Connected to the main hotel via a sky bridge, a life of unabashed luxury awaits future owners; the brand's legendary services and amenities will be accessible by all residents to include use of the rooftop pools and golf course, private wine tasting and dining rooms as well as a full deck of relaxation and sports amenities.

24-hour concierge services make sure life runs that bit smoother at The Mandarin Oriental residences with 'life management' services on hand to organise everything from personal shopping to holiday and event planning. 

Boca Raton is a popular and affluent 'resort' city best known for its excellent quality of life,  stunning coastline, protected beaches, wildlife, golf courses and parks.

The appeal of owning a US dollar asset, South Florida’s easy accessibility, the state’s comparatively low property costs and its buoyant tourism industry have underpinned investor and second home interest with buyers from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey a key source of demand according to our US partners, Douglas Elliman.

This article appears in International View 2019 - Knight Frank's annual compendium of the world's best real estate. To view more of the properties that inspire incredible lifestyles: