When luxury becomes legacy
Luxury residential markets continue to show resilience amid successive interest rate hikes and the rising cost of living around the world.
In the Philippines, the luxury residential segment remains strong, supported by steady demand, limited supply in prime areas, and its appeal as a hedge against inflation. For many buyers, premium properties serve as safe-haven legacy investments that help build and preserve long-term wealth.
Fast growing luxury market
In 2023, the Philippines emerged as a global leader in luxury living.
According to Knight Frank’s 2024 Wealth Report, Manila was the fastest growing high end residential market globally in 2023, recording annual price gains of 26.3 percent—the highest among the 100 markets analyzed by the firm.
In the first half of 2025, Manila retained its position in the super prime market, ranking fifth in Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index, supported by a 9.1 percent year-on-year increase in prices. This further underscored the city’s status as an affordable yet fast appreciating luxury market, offering more value to buyers compared with other markets in Asia Pacific.
The growth of the Philippine luxury real estate segment is driven not only by demand from high-net-worth Filipinos, but also by renewed interest from foreign buyers, expatriates and retirees seeking top-tier living spaces, particularly in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas Center.
In Knight Frank’s latest Wealth Report 2026, Manila ranked third in the 100-city Prime International Residential Index, behind Tokyo and Dubai.
Investment assets
Colliers Philippines noted in its end 2025 market report that premium to ultra-luxury condominiums in the Makati central business district, Fort Bonifacio and Alabang—scheduled for turnover starting 2026—are set to redefine Metro Manila’s high-end residential market.
Colliers recommended positioning luxury and ultra-luxury condominiums as long-term investment assets amid expectations of price recovery in 2026. It classifies residential condominiums priced from P20 million to P100 million as luxury properties, while those priced above P100 million are considered as ultra-luxury.
According to Colliers, the share of luxury and ultra-luxury units in Metro Manila’s total condominium turnover is expected to rise from 22 percent this year to 62 percent in 2027, indicating sustained supply and demand for premium projects in the capital region.
Aurelia Residences
Among the more prominent players in Metro Manila’s luxury and ultra-luxury residential market is Shang Properties Inc.
Its impressive portfolio features a thoughtfully curated collection of high end residential developments, each defined by quality, prime city locations and a distinct sense of exclusivity. These projects reflect the company’s high standards while offering lifestyle experiences that make them both exceptional residences and sound long-term investments.
This positioning is further highlighted this year with the turnover of units at Aurelia Residences in Fort Bonifacio, one of the most notable and most coveted ultra-luxury developments in the metro today.
Aurelia Residences, a joint venture project between Shang Properties Inc. and Robinsons Land Corp., features 285 bespoke units,
comprising three and four-bedroom homes, plus an opulent selection of penthouse suites. Each unit exudes elegance and class, combining stylish aesthetics with functionally vibrant living spaces.
This is precisely the kind of project that keeps the luxury segment resilient: limited, well-located and designed to retain appeal beyond market cycles.
Industry experts have long noted that investing in luxury isn’t just about acquiring status. It’s also about owning assets that weather market downturns better, attract long-term premium tenants, and hold timeless desirability and location value.
Source: Inquirer Archives, santosknightfrank.com, www.knightfrank.ie, colliers.com, shangproperties.com
