New York Remains the World’s Top Super-Luxury Property Market

New York retained its title as the world’s top super-luxury housing market last year—though it had to share the laurels with London, according to the latest index from Knight Frank.

Both cities registered 43 sales of $25 million or more. In London, that marked a 26% increase from 2021; while New York’s figure was down 35% from the prior year.

“Despite rising economic headwinds and growing uncertainty, the world’s wealthy have been committing to luxury residential property, with London and New York the standout cities in demand for ultra-prime sales,” Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, said in the report released Wednesday.

Claiming the third spot was Los Angeles, with 39 sales priced at $25 million or above. It was followed by Hong Kong, with 28 ultra-prime sales, even during a tumultuous year for its housing market; and Miami, with 23.

Not surprisingly, these cities also had the most $10 million-plus sales in 2022. New York topped the list with 244 sales at this price point, Los Angeles and London had 225 and 223, respectively, according to the report.

Across the top 10 cities—which also included Singapore; Palm Beach, Florida; Geneva; Sydney; and Paris—there were a total of 1,392 sales at or above $10 million, a decline from the record 2,076 transactions at this level recorded in 2021, but up 49% from pre-Covid 2019.

Of the 100 prime property markets tracked by Knight Frank, 85 recorded positive or flat price growth in 2022. Dubai led the pack with a staggering 44.2% annual growth rate, boosted by its visa incentives that have attracted many ultra-high-net-worth buyers, Knight Frank said.

Other prime markets that saw surging home prices included Aspen, with a 27.6% increase year over year; Riyadh, capital city of Saudi Arabia, with a 25% annual growth rate; Tokyo, with 22.8%; and Miami, with 21.6%.

Markets that had some of the strongest growth during the pandemic recorded the deepest price declines in 2022, which included the New Zealand cities of Wellington (-24%) and Auckland (-19%); Stockholm (-8%); Vancouver (-7%); and Seoul (-5%), according to the report.

Overall, the Knight Frank Prime International Residential Index rose 5.2% on an annual basis in 2022, the highest growth rate since the global financial crisis excluding the record year of 2021.

“Wealth preservation, safe-haven capital flight and supply constraints played their part in driving prime price growth, but it was the post-pandemic surge that continued to push prices higher,” Kate Everett-Allen, partner of residential research at Knight Frank, said in the report.

Tucked away in Byron Bay’s coveted hinterland, Whimsy Farm is a traditional rural homestead surrounded by more than 16ha of lush fertile grounds with equestrian facilities and a host of whimsical additions including a fairytale-inspired maze.

Just listed with Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, agents Denzil Lloyd and Will Phillips are running an expressions of interest campaign on the glamorous getaway with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million.

The romantic estate in Federal, 25 kms from Byron Bay dates back more than a century, but has been meticulously renovated by its current owners to attain modern day dream home status.

Back in 2016, the enviable property even featured on Foxtel’s short-lived reality TV show I Own Australia’s Best Home. The picturesque parcel has also been appreciated by location scouts and has appeared in a long list of fashion brand and magazine shoots such as Country Style and Queensland Homes.

Owner Melinda Boundy, founder of boutique interiors firm Melinda Boundy Design, was instrumental in reviving the historic Federal homestead. She has described the rural property as a “a respite from the world” where she and her husband have raised their two sons over the past decade.

“I brought my boys down 10 years ago to nurture their creativity, their boyhood,” Boundy said in a recent Instagram post announcing the impending sale.

“We found our farm with its double-storey treehouse and 40 acres the perfect place for two young boys to thrive.”

In addition to hiring out the estate for formal events, Boundy said the family had celebrated several milestones at the address.

“Many parties, sleepovers, friends staying and events have been held [here]. It has seen the filming of a TV show or two, music videos, location shoots and weddings,” she added.

“Now it’s time to pass the baton to another family to share the magic and wonderment of this beautiful compound.”

Lloyd agreed that the listing is a magical estate, ripe for the picking.

“It’s a wonderland. There’s the maze, but it’s also got the treehouse, teepee, dams, beautiful established veggie gardens and it’s perfect for those who love horse riding,” Mr Lloyd said.

“It really is an oasis with plenty of classical charm as well. It’s not an ostentatious home; it’s an original Queenslander from 1910.”

Living up to its storybook name, Whimsy Farm is home to a preserved traditional Queenslander residence with five bedrooms, plus a freestanding guest cottage. There is also a separate pool house and a combined shed or office on site, all capturing scenic hinterland views.

The main single-storey residence has a choice of entertaining spaces inside and out as well as bedrooms opening to private alfresco areas. A grand kitchen and the large living room both open to a vast terrace and pool area.

In the primary bedrooms suite there is a bay window overlooking the natural surrounds, an ensuite with double vanities, and out on the covered deck an outdoor bathtub is an idyllic spot for soaking under the stars.

The playful property has also operated as a holiday rental and offers up unique bonus features including a solar-heated semi circle pool, a double-storey treehouse, a teepee, horse stables, paddocks and a an Olympic-sized dressage arena.

A true tree change destination, the Federal address is home to 10 acres of regenerated forest, eight water tanks, two lagoons, extensive raised veggie gardens and a citrus orchard.

It is conveniently located a scenic 30-minute drive to Byron Bay and 20 minutes to Bangalow.

Whimsy Farm at 711 Federal Dr, Federal is listed through Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay through an expressions of interest campaign closing February 20, 5pm.

New York Remains the World’s Top Super-Luxury Property Market

London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Miami complete the top five in Knight Frank’s annual index

Whimsy Farm is a playful period estate positioned in Byron Bay’s picturesque hinterland.