Wellness Real Estate and Communities

In the most recent wave (May–June 2025) of the America at Home Study, “improves my health and wellness” was the top reason for 60% of respondents for why they chose things like a water filtration system, whole-home air filtration, a home that conserves energy or water and personal spaces  in the home for relaxing. Not “saves me money” or “improves my resale value,” but improves my wellness. During a time when housing affordability is a huge concern, “wellness” rose in importance by 17% since the last wave of the same study, just two and a half years ago in fall 2022. It’s no longer nice to have, or something to be value-engineered out of homes and communities. It’s fundamental.

According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), 85% of health outcomes are determined by the built environment. The global wellness economy now stands at $6.3 trillion, with the Wellness Real Estate sector increasing 18% annually, the fastest of all sectors measured by the GWI, and valued at $830 billion. As 2025 comes to a close, more community designers, planners, developers and homebuilders are working hard to understand and embrace the principles of wellness real estate. It’s what their buyers want. And the best ones are committed to figuring out how to create places that support wellness, even in these challenging times.

Wellness real estate and communities are built environments proactively designed to support the holistic health of those who live, work, play or learn there. This goes far beyond providing a spa, a community garden or measuring indoor air quality, to thinking more purposefully about all the elements of where we live, how we live, how we move, places for socializing and places that stimulate our senses. And to plan and develop homes and communities from the start for wellness as a priority.

The GWI has developed a framework highlighting six dimensions of wellness – think of these as the “ingredients” to consider when creating and developing the places necessary to truly build wellness from the ground up, as part of the actual infrastructure of a place, not just an afterthought.

Physical well-being is supported through design that promotes movement, healthy food access, healthcare availability, environmental safety, accessibility and security. Mental and spiritual well-being is nurtured through access to nature, opportunities for rest and sleep, spaces for spiritual practice, exposure to beauty and delight, reduced daily friction and support for work-life balance and lifelong learning. Social well-being grows from prosocial design, diverse and integrated housing, welcoming gathering spaces and “third places” and strong technology-enabled connectivity. Financial and economic well-being is strengthened by housing affordability, reduced transportation costs and access to education and employment. Environmental well-being comes from building technologies and methods that minimize waste and ecological harm, promote climate adaptation and ensure responsible energy, water and waste practices while supporting biodiversity. Finally, civic well-being is reflected in respect for local culture and heritage, inclusive and diverse communities, accessible public services and strong participation in community renewal.

Metaphorically, think of this framework as a music mixing board. In every great piece of music not every note is played with the same intensity. In every community not every domain of wellness will be given as much focus, but they are all important to people today.

When it comes to the home itself, the family room and then the kitchen are the two most important spaces. The family room (most important to 35%) is about time together, socializing, connecting and sharing. The kitchen (most important to 25%) remains the hub of the home, where we are cooking and baking more than ever. Things missing that people want and would pay for in their homes include energy efficiency for lower utility bills and comfort – top of the list for 71% of people, an increase of 15% in two years. Not something to be cut out of new homes today to save costs – buyers are more aware than ever about the ongoing operating costs of utilities, insurance and taxes.

Community designers should note that “third spaces”, walkability to a coffee shop or a casual restaurant surpassed “trails” for the first time, at number two on the list of things that would motivate purchase for 49% of people, just behind “nature and open space for hikes and activities”, which was key to 54%, highlighting the importance of social connectivity today. All this to say, wellness is the new “why” in home and community design today and it appears to be here to stay, no matter the level of disruption or economic challenges we face.

Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki is the Co-Chair of Wellness Communities & Real Estate Initiative, Global Wellness Institute & Founder of the America at Home Study. She may be reached at teri@tst-ink.com

This column is featured in our November/December issue of Green Home Builder. Read more here.