Longevity is the Latest Wellness Buzzword, and Luxury Builders Are Taking Note

In the ever-expanding world of health and wellness, the biggest trend to emerge in recent years revolves around the most basic of concepts: longevity.

The world’s leading health resorts and wellness centers have put in place a heightened emphasis on extending life and optimizing health beyond traditional spa treatments. It’s a trend fueled by advancements in science and technology that promise to not only extend lifespan but also improve the quality of those additional years.

Leading wellness spas and resorts are now blending cutting-edge scientific research with holistic health practices. Some have even opened dedicated longevity clinics offering personalized care plans—including extensive diagnostic and genetic tests—costing upward of $50,000 per week.

Consumer spending on wellness products and services has grown 12% annually since 2020, contributing to a $5.6 trillion wellness market that is forecast to hit $8.5 trillion by 2027, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

The longevity segment is playing a significant role in this growth. As consumers become more aware of the potential to extend their lives while maintaining good health, the demand for longevity-focused wellness programs is exploding.

The aging population is a key driver. As the global population of individuals aged 65 and older continues to grow—according to United Nations Population Fund data, the global share of people aged 65 and over has nearly doubled from 5.5% in 1974 to 10.3% in 2024, a figure that is projected to reach 20.7% by 2074, with the number of those aged 80 and over more than tripling—there is a rising demand for services that can help maintain health and vitality in later years. Wellness resorts are increasingly targeting this demographic with specialized longevity programs that address the unique health challenges and goals of older adults.

Even those with only a passing interest in the booming wellness industry are responding to the idea of extending one’s lifespan, as evidenced by the wide assortment of “biohacks” now available to the public. From “Blue Zone” retreats (named after the geographic areas of the world dubbed “blue zones,” where people live longer- and healthier-than-average lives) with poolside vitamin IVs to bioregenerative treatments such as ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and infrared light mats, the health and wellness industry has fully embraced this newfound focus on longevity.

Lately, a growing number of consumers who have experienced these treatments at spas and wellness centers seek to bring the longevity trend into their private homes.

"As a developer, I prioritize incorporating wellness centers into the houses I build, which has garnered positive feedback from potential buyers,” says Los Angeles-based Santiago Arana, Principal of The Agency.

“While a nice gym and steam shower used to be sufficient 8-10 years ago, the demand has evolved to include features like indoor/outdoor gyms, steam units, dry saunas, infrared saunas, cold plunges, as well as additional wellness amenities such as hyperbaric chambers, red light chambers, cryotherapy chambers, ozone machines and magnesium pools, among others,” he adds.

A growing number of luxury-adjacent businesses are taking notice. As part of its “2024 Exclusive Benefits Guide,” private jet company Sentient Jet offers its “Jet Card” owners access to an exclusive partnership with Human Longevity Inc. The San Diego-based venture’s goal is to build the world’s most comprehensive database on human genotypes and phenotypes, and then utilize machine learning to help develop new ways to fight diseases associated with aging.

Human Longevity—which, according to its most recent findings, claims 25% of Americans at age 50 won’t make it to age 75—offers a wellness service known as “Health Nucleus,” which offers customers a range of medical tests such as a full genome sequencing and tests for early indications of cancers, Alzheimer’s and heart disease; this testing is meant to help people catch diseases earlier than otherwise possible and to identify risk factors for diseases later in life.

Much of the longevity trend falls under the catch-all term of “biohacking,” which can be applied to just about any science- or technology-backed approach to optimize bodily functions and extend life.

More spas and resorts are offering truly personalized longevity services, where genetic testing, biomarker analysis and advanced diagnostics are used to create tailored programs.

While some luxury homeowners are looking to bring longevity-focused offerings into their homes, others are seeking out homes where the local lifestyle offers a holistic approach to longevity.

“As Bahamians, we have a rich cultural heritage that celebrates a slower, more enjoyable way of life aiding our population’s longevity,” says Danny Lowe, Managing Partner of The Agency Bahamas.

Since the start of the global pandemic in 2020, Lowe has observed a notable influx in clients seeking to be part of his island’s culture, with many looking for offthe-grid private islands, beach villas and boutique luxury resorts and residences that offer fully sustainable living immersed in their surroundings.

“This shift has further fueled the demand for luxury properties that promote wellness and a deeper connection to nature for their residents. People are seeking a lifestyle product that they can call home,” he

says, citing developments like Four Seasons Ocean Club, Montage Cay Residences, Goldwynn Resort & Residences, Aqualina Bahamas Cable Beach and the islands’ newest wellness center, Champion Spirit Club, as examples of how high-end residences are integrating cutting-edge wellness facilities.

“These amenities foster both physical health and mental well-being, responding to an increasingly discerning clientele that prioritizes holistic lifestyles,” Lowe says.

Looking ahead, areas such as gene editing, microbiome optimization and advanced AI-driven health diagnostics are expected to become part of the longevity landscape in the coming years. As these technologies evolve, wellness resorts will continue to adapt, offering increasingly personalized longevity programs. And the wealthy people who frequent them will likely want to bring these treatments home, too.