Branded Residences: Top Trends 2022

Design Concepts Driving Success for Five-Star Living

As trusted advisors for the most prominent and celebrated international resort brands, OBMI has supported leaders in development and discerning property owners to elevate design and capitalize on opportunities surrounding branded residences which have seen increased popularity across the hospitality industry. Branded residences allow owners the opportunity to immerse themselves in a particular lifestyle and, quite often, a brand they know and love – elevating the perks of their primary residence with an authentic experience exclusive to the property. With this in mind, OBMI has found five trends picking up speed in the industry.

FIVE LEADING DESIGN TRENDS FOR BRANDED-RESIDENCES

1. PURPOSE DRIVEN

Rosewood Half Moon Bay Resort & Residences – Antigua

Affluent buyers want to invest in something beyond brick and mortar and financial returns. Instead, they are increasingly seeking a home designed in a socially and environmentally responsible way. There is a desire from buyers for reassurance that their residence, and the more comprehensive resort, have been crafted in a way that honors the local area’s environment, culture, and heritage and contributes to the community. OBMI-Designed Rosewood Half Moon Bay embraces embraces the history, culture, and environment with designing 47 Rosewood pavilion-style guest suites and a limited collection of Residences across 132 acres. The resort’s 8,000 feet of private oceanfront, nature trails, tropical gardens, Biodynamic farm and extraordinary views provide residents and guests with total privacy, tranquility and adventure.

2. EXPERIENCE FOCUSED

OBMI-Designed Waldorf Astoria Resort & Residences – Antigua

As designers, it is our job to ensure the creation of the hotel property carries over into the residences. Exclusive amenities and programs such as private marinas, rooftop pools, farm-to-table gardens, tasking kitchens, and wine cellars elevate a residence’s perks to be an authentic experience exclusive to the property. For the Waldorf Astoria Antigua, OBMI preserved and elevated the site’s natural environment and historical landmarks with a specialty restaurant, signature bar and waterside dining concepts, along with a fitness center and a spa to create a landmark luxury destination consisting of 95 guest rooms and 25 branded villas, including both beachfront suites and hilltop accommodations.

3. COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

OBMI-Designed St. Regis Hotel & Residences – Bermuda

Branded residences are often designed to feel like you’re living at a five-star hotel and, in some cases, you are. As a result, owners have access to every imaginable amenity without going off the property. The design and infrastructure should support a journey that delivers residence owners the luxuries, attention to detail, and authentic, local experiences expected of 5-star hospitality brands. However, privacy and accessibility must go hand in hand. Often, this is achieved through thoughtful site planning with intention, whether designed as single villas or part of a tower. For the St. Regis Hotel & Residences in Bermuda OBMI took inspiration taken from the environment and local culture is woven throughout the glamorous property, which houses 120 guestrooms, including 21 suites and a collection of two- and three-bedroom residences. For the first time in Bermuda, The Residences at the St. Regis Resort will offer Rooftop private pools and terraces with each Penthouse, creating a community with a uniquely private experience exclusive to the St. Regis Bermuda property.

4. ULTRA PRIVACY & PERSONALIZATION

The Residences at Montage Cay, Montage Hotels & Resorts – Bahamas

Hospitality leaders like The Ritz-Carlton, Montage, and Mandarin Oriental are creating a new hybrid concept with no hotel attached to a development. Whether a tower of serviced units, a collection of low-density private villas, or a combination of both, this new offering bears the hospitality brand’s name, amenities, and services without the constraints of building a hotel component. The stand-alone model offers a luxury lifestyle complemented by having a five-star luxury hotel to manage their residences from lock and leave capability to hotel concierge services but increases its appeal as developers and homebuyers work with designers at the pre-construction phase to determine the best solutions for site planning, ultra-privacy, and customization to each private owner. This concept is appealing to international buyers looking for their second and third homes and to local buyers who are already living in the area, but are seeking a new and modern full-service condominium or single-family home in a non-transient neighborhood.

5. DESIGN-LED

OBMI-Designed Motor Sports Hotel, Residences & FIA Racetrack Destination

With more properties and brands meeting at the intersection of luxury and lifestyle, branded residences effortlessly blend the two — offering a luxurious experience with restaurants and lounges filled by locals. Premier lifestyle brands such as high-end fashion houses, prestige automotive groups, starchitects, well-known interior designers, and the restaurants of Michelin star chefs are often partnering with developers for branded residences. The idea is to create unique, exclusive offerings that converge the principles of quality service, design, and innovation with a prestigious brand—gaining traction with residential buyers seeking design-led brands with unique personalities that celebrate modernity, creativity, F&B, and experience.

To learn more about the leading design trends for branded-residences and the featured projects, please contact [email protected] for more details.