Luxury homes: Trends for the ultrawealthy, according to a builder

May 15, 2026 - 00:19

Manny A. Varas, a Miami developer often called the "Billionaire's Builder," says the definition of a luxury home has shifted far beyond marble floors and gold faucets. For his ultrawealthy clients, the new status symbol is a seamless blend of fortress-like security, cutting-edge wellness technology, and spaces designed for multi-generational living.

Varas notes that the pandemic permanently changed priorities. Today's buyers want dedicated wings for adult children or aging parents, complete with separate entrances and kitchens. Home gyms are no longer just a room with a treadmill; they now rival boutique fitness studios, featuring cryotherapy chambers, salt rooms, and hyperbaric oxygen pods. The home office has evolved into a private executive suite with soundproofing, a private bathroom, and a direct outdoor exit to avoid crossing through the main house.

Privacy remains the ultimate luxury. Varas describes clients requesting underground garages with car elevators, mirrored privacy walls that turn opaque at the touch of a button, and landscaping designed to block views from drones. Technology is invisible but omnipresent, with systems that adjust lighting, temperature, and art displays based on the homeowner's biometric data or mood.

Sustainability is also a growing demand, but not for cost savings. Wealthy buyers want net-zero energy homes with solar arrays and battery storage, not to save on bills, but to ensure they can operate independently during a power outage. Varas says the trend is about control and resilience. For the billionaires he works with, a home is no longer just a place to live; it is a command center for their lifestyle.