Real estate

The ultra-prime estates of the Southern Highlands, 90 minutes south-west of Sydney, are among the most desirable, and closely held, country properties in Australia. Two of the region’s top agents, James Hall of Christie's International Real Estate and Samuel Lindsay of Drew Lindsay Sotheby’s International Realty, talk us through the market – and its most enviable addresses.

Banyan Tree Group founder K.P. Ho talks us through three decades of differentiated luxury hospitality, the bright future of branded residences, and crashing drones into his latest prestige developments.

Pioneering hotelier and co-founder of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani, launched the brand’s first resort with a view to having a residence in the Maldives. Now, many of his guests do too.

“We do have conversations about, you know, whether the Ju Ming is in the way of kids playing soccer,” says David Tsang, CEO of Pontiac Land Group, in reference to the Taiwanese artist’s imposing Taichi sculpture taking pride of place on the lawn at The Colonnade condo in Orchard. It’s not a problem many developers would spend time chewing over, but PLG is not your average developer.

“This sprawling residential area is sought after for its good schools, cafes and restaurants, recreational clubs and, in particular, its greenery – the acres of parks and nature reserves, and the lush views that many of its GCBs enjoy. In contrast with more densely built areas, Bukit Timah offers a unique combination of convenience, peacefulness and natural beauty, and is generally more affordable as well.”

Built in 1887 and added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999, Heathcote Hall is one of Sutherland Shire's most famous residences. And tasked with its restoration was investment firm Pariter, which specialises in the development and operation of community infrastructure. In compliance with the building's Heritage Conservation Management Plan, the developer worked closely with Heritage Architect Tasman Storey to ensure that each detail maintained its turn-of-the-century character.

Robert Klaric, founder and CEO of The Property Expert International, talks through how Sydney’s prestige real estate market remains a safe haven for global investors, the resilience of high-end properties despite rising interest rates and the growing trend of Australians investing in Southeast Asia.

Andrew Mcveigh, the founder and managing partner of Sydney-based asset manager Remara, talks through the initial spark for the business, its path to managing in excess of A$1.7b in assets, and his vision for the future.

Sydney locations don't come much more prime than two doors down from the Governor General. The site at 20 Waruda St, Kirribilli, commands knockout views of the harbour icons, and for Ed Horton, co-founder of boutique luxury developer The Stable Group, it demanded a level of presentation to match the prestige address. The result – an exclusive collection of meticulously considered, full-floor residences – is poised to hit the market as one of the most desirable properties in Sydney.

Jason Todd, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Private, takes stock of geopolitical uncertainty and global economic trends to assess the outlook for Australian markets in 2025.

A first look at the flagship branded residences by Dusit International, which will redefine the hotel group’s landmark site in the heart of Bangkok.

The last freehold site on the sought-after Meyer Road is set for a luxury overhaul, with the launch of Meyer Blue condo by developers UOL Group Limited (UOL) in collaboration with Singapore Land Group (SingLand). Situated in the East Coast's most prestigious enclave, Meyer Blue presents the best of coastal living with a rare combination of designer interiors, indulgent amenities, and views to the city and out to the sea.

Aston Martin is often associated with a legacy of grand touring. The British carmaker marries style, performance and a degree of exclusivity that can only be found in the rarest brands. This same level of prestige applies to its recent real estate venture, as well. Aston Martin Residences Miami enjoys not only the notoriety of its name, but also a collection of ultra-luxe fittings specifically designed for enviable waterfront living.

A new icon of a development will be rising soon by the ultra-prime Dubai Water Canal. Canal Front Residences in Al Wasl houses a collection of some prestige penthouses and sky villas with spectacular views of the Dubai metro. It joins a vibrant community defined by enviable water views and access to the best of city life.

The term 'luxury' is thrown around with remarkable ease, in ironic contradiction with the difficulty, typically, of producing a luxury product. The stunning new launch project Ode, in Sydney’s Double Bay, is a case in point.

Fernando Botero's horse stands guard over the entrance to Cuscaden Reserve – having relocated after its years of sentry duty at The Marq on Paterson Hill. While the newly completed condo features smaller-format residences in contrast with The Marq’s eminently lavish proportions, there is noticeably no deficit of design, detail, architecture, and indeed, art. And this is the unique appeal of Cuscaden Reserve: a luxury pied-à-terre that genuinely delivers on its positioning.

This standout estate on the King’s River waterfront offers immaculately presented residences set within a haven of luxury amenities. The collection of corner apartments takes full advantage of breathtaking views in all directions. The long list of facilities includes both a riverside and sky pool, fitness, salons, lounge and entertaining options, 24-hour concierge, as well as access to the sumptuous spas and award-winning restaurants at Four Seasons Hotel and Capella Bangkok.

Wanderlust photography by Boulevard

"The house is a retreat," says owner Samiksha Oswal, Bollywood actress turned Singapore-based director and producer. "But for us that means entertaining – we’ve thrown some fantastic parties here."

This standout, six-floor terrace – one of only 11 residences in the Grande Pyrmont Bay Estate – presents a new level of ultra-luxury living in Sydney's historic city fringe.

The general manager for private wealth at Commonwealth Private talks us through the historic transfer of wealth taking place against the backdrop of volatility.

Surrounded by 33 out of Singapore’s 39 Good Class Bungalow Areas within a 3km radius, Watten House is shaping up to be one of the most sought-after launches in the Bukit Timah exclusive landed enclave. The development, led by UOL Group Limited (UOL) and Singapore Land Group Limited (SingLand), positions itself as the definition of "Tranquillity on the hill."

Franck Muller's first foray into real estate is shaping up to be its most ambitious 'complication' yet. Boasting a height of 450 metres across more than 100 floors, the Franck Muller Aeternitas Tower is set to become the tallest branded residential clock tower in the world, one that reflects the dynamism and opulence of the Dubai Marina.

100 private clients joined us at this extraordinary penthouse at The Revy by Aqualand, taking in the Harbour Bridge views from the private rooftop terrace, and moving from tastings with Louis XIII to pampering by La Prairie and luxury watches by Hublot. Many thanks to our partners for bringing the property viewing experience to life.

Where better to launch Boulevard's private viewing events in Sydney than the stunning, harbourfront Norfolk Penthouses.

You can, and doubtless should spend a fair amount of time investigating the ins and outs of expat property ownership in Singapore. But if you’re just getting started and want no more than the cheat sheet for now, here are five key things to know about buying real estate in Singapore as a foreigner.