The Growing Appeal of Multigenerational Living

The definition of a family heirloom appears to be changing. It looks less like precious jewelry or fine art, and more like a seven-bedroom estate designed to host several generations under one roof.
Across the prime residential market, ultra-high-net-worth families are increasingly commissioning homes designed for future decades of shared family life. Rather than traditional second homes, these residences are places where grandparents, children, and grandchildren can gather under one roof.
It’s a shift that is slowly reshaping the design brief for high-end property. Larger plots, customizable architecture, and lifestyle-led amenities are becoming central to new developments, allowing owners to tailor homes around the needs of an extended family.
This approach also reflects a broader generational shift in wealth planning. According to the 2026 Sotheby’s Luxury Outlook, an estimated $84 trillion is expected to pass between generations in the coming decades, prompting many families to think more deliberately about long-term assets and legacy.
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Cameron Avery, real estate sales director at Rocco Forte Hotels, explains: “We are seeing buyers using the generous plot sizes to create homes that cater to multigenerational families.
“Compared with many resort developments, these notably larger plots provide the space required to design homes that comfortably accommodate evolving family structures all under one roof.” So, what does luxury real estate built for generations actually look like?
At Verdura Resort, private villas are being conceived with precisely this kind of adaptability in mind. Set across 568 acres of Mediterranean coastline on Sicily’s southwest coast, the estate offers expansive plots.
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“The off-plan villas offer buyers the opportunity to personalize finishes and adapt layouts to suit their individual needs, a level of flexibility that is increasingly valued in the luxury residential market,” says Avery.
Interiors are being adapted accordingly, with layouts incorporating children’s playrooms, shared living areas, and guest suites, while outdoor spaces often include padel courts, football pitches, and large entertaining terraces.
Each villa sits within the wider Verdura Resort estate, which includes championship golf courses, a private beach, and the 4,000-sq-metre Irene Forte Spa. Off-plan villas begin at €5,210,000 (approx. $6m), offering owners the chance to create what is effectively a private residence within a fully-realized Mediterranean resort.
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In France’s Loire Valley, the concept of multigenerational living is being taken even further. Set deep within the ancient woodland of Les Bordes Estate, a private residence within the Six Senses estate offers close to 2,000 sq metres of living space on a secluded three-hectare plot.
Priced at €40m (approx. $46m), the residence centers around eight en-suite bedrooms, alongside a series of spaces designed for both family life and entertaining – including a cinema, wine cellar, games room, and golf simulator.
Wellness is a defining feature of the estate. The property includes a private longevity suite with cryotherapy, high-oxygen training, and a spa, alongside indoor and outdoor pools and a swimmable lake set within landscaped grounds.
The scale of the residence allows it to function as a private retreat. Multiple kitchens, guest suites, and staff quarters make it possible to host extended stays, while large reception spaces have been designed for family gatherings and celebrations.
For many families, this kind of residence is designed to anchor family life over time. As Avery notes, “personalization sits at the core and is shaped around a long-term vision of supporting multigenerational living as families grow and evolve,” he says.

Facts Only

* Ultra-high-net-worth families are commissioning homes designed for multi-generational living.
* The market is seeing larger plots, customizable architecture, and lifestyle-led amenities becoming central to new developments.
* An estimated $84 trillion is expected to pass between generations in the coming decades.
* The Verdura Resort in Sicily offers expansive plots and customizable villas.
* Les Bordes Estate in the Loire Valley features a residence with approximately 2,000 sq metres of living space.
* Off-plan villas begin at €5,210,000 (approx. $6m) at Verdura Resort.
* The residence at Les Bordes Estate is priced at €40m (approx. $46m).
* The estate includes a private longevity suite with cryotherapy and a spa.
* Multiple kitchens, guest suites, and staff quarters are included.
* The overall trend is driven by a shift in wealth planning.
* The trend is related to the development of more expansive resort offerings.

Executive Summary

The article describes a growing trend in luxury real estate, with ultra-high-net-worth families commissioning homes designed to accommodate multiple generations. This shift is driven by a significant expected transfer of wealth – $84 trillion – and a desire for extended family gatherings. Developments are increasingly incorporating larger plots, customizable architecture, and lifestyle amenities like golf courses and spas. At the high end, properties are being designed with adaptable interiors featuring playrooms, guest suites, and entertainment areas. The Verdura Resort and Les Bordes Estate in the Loire Valley exemplify this trend, offering expansive spaces and personalized finishes. This approach reflects a long-term perspective on wealth management and a prioritization of family legacy, with homes becoming “private residences within a fully-realized Mediterranean resort.” The market is seeing a move away from traditional second homes towards spaces explicitly built for multi-generational living, driven by a shift in wealth planning and a desire for a lasting family connection.

Full Take

The article presents a portrait of an evolving luxury real estate market, heavily influenced by demographic and economic shifts. The core narrative – a generational transfer of wealth fueling a demand for ‘family estates’ – is underpinned by a statistically significant projection of wealth redistribution. This isn't merely about conspicuous consumption; the $84 trillion figure suggests a deliberate strategic response to the future, a conscious effort to maintain family cohesion and consolidate assets across generations. The shift from resort developments, offering transient experiences, to these deliberately expansive residences highlights a value system prioritizing permanence and shared history – a recognizable pattern we’ve seen previously in estate design (ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey). The focus on adaptability, exemplified by the personalization options at Verdura and the bespoke design of Les Bordes, speaks to a broader cultural anxiety about succession and legacy, a desire to craft a tangible symbol of family continuity. The inclusion of amenities like longevity suites and private beaches isn’t just about convenience; it’s a framing of ‘well-being’ as a familial responsibility, reflecting a desire to maintain familial vitality (ARC-0024 Ambiguity). The emphasis on creating “private residences within a fully-realized Mediterranean resort” suggests a calculated strategy to create a contained world, shielding the family from external pressures and reinforcing their unique identity. This narrative subtly reinforces the role of property as a vehicle for social status and generational bonding. The article’s reliance on a single, highly polished example – Verdura – raises the question of whether this trend is truly widespread or simply a carefully curated demonstration of a niche market’s desires. Furthermore, the very framing of “family heirlooms” as expansive estates implicitly elevates the role of real estate as the primary legacy object – a somewhat skewed assumption given the fluidity of contemporary wealth and the evolving definitions of family. The appeal to personalization, while presented as a desirable feature, could also be interpreted as a subtle form of control, ensuring alignment with the owners’ values and preferences (ARC-0011 Framing).