According to Forbes, there are over 3,000 billionaires in the world in 2026. As well as super-yachts, designer clothes and sports cars, most of these people are also looking for a home in one of the world’s premium addresses – the so-called ‘Billionaire’s Rows’. On these roads, properties are double-digit-multi-millions and come with just about everything your modern- day billionaire could possibly need. But, don’t think these homes are just about somewhere to live.
“Property in these streets isn’t just a luxury home anymore – it’s seen as a safe place to park serious money,” says Danny Bloomfield & Katie Bloomfield, directors of DKB Homes.
“They’re more about preserving capital and holding wealth in a stable asset – similar in some ways to buying fine art or other trophy assets.” Part of the appeal of these roads is their exclusivity and limited supply which helps retain their value. “Buyers aren’t just paying for a big house or apartment – they’re paying for location and status,” add the Bloomfields.
To find out where the world’s billionaires flock to and what these addresses are like, we spoke to some of the world’s most knowledgeable luxury property and real estate experts.
Bishops Avenue Gardens, The Bishops Avenue, London, Prices starting from £2.5m. Photo: Bishops Avenue Gardens. ·Bishops Avenue Gardens,
Bishop’s Avenue in North West London is the original ‘Billionaire’s Row’ – or ‘Millionaire’s Row’ to be exact. It was given the name in the 1930s as the rich chose to settle here, drawn by its rural atmosphere and attractive architecture. Following the Second World War and the construction of vast grand mansions, the area started to attract a new breed of billionaires.
“The international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Lakshmi Mittal, helped elevate this status change, shifting its profile from millionaires to billionaires,” says Charles Leigh, Director of Bishops Avenue Gardens.
“Beyond market performance, the address offers proximity to Hampstead Heath’s 800 acres of open green space, and prestigious schools such as University College School and Highgate School. Meanwhile, nearby Highgate and Hampstead high streets provide a charming mix of artisanal shops, independent boutiques, and acclaimed restaurants.”
Bishops Avenue Gardens, The Bishops Avenue, London, Prices starting from £2.5m. Photo: Bishops Avenue Gardens ·Bishops Avenue Gardens
Detached properties on the road start from £10.4m and can reach up to £24.5m, according to Savills.
The houses here are often 10-30,000 square feet in size and cater for just about everything.
“They usually sit behind secure gates on substantial plots, offering expansive private gardens and, increasingly, underground leisure complexes with spas, swimming pools and gyms,” says Lee Greenfield, Senior Director at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty.
“They deliver what discerning buyers value most: scale, land, privacy, security, a prestigious address and proven long-term capital growth.”
Beach Villa on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, For sale at AED 190,000,000. Photo: Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai ·Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai
Unsurprisingly, Dubai, with its low tax environment and skyrocketing property prices, boasts not one, but two, Billionaire’s Rows.
“The Palm Jumeirah offers a rare combination of beachfront living with private sea access, gated frond communities with exceptional security and privacy, and proximity to five-star hospitality, beach clubs and fine dining. A limited supply of standalone waterfront villas is making trophy homes increasingly rare,” says Jackie Johns, managing partner, Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai.
Beach Villa on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, For sale at AED 190,000,000. Photo: Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai ·Christie’s International Real Estate Dubai
Homes on the Palm are characterised by architecturally designed mansions with views of the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab, while buyers tend to be international family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) relocating to Dubai.
With planning regulations becoming increasingly stringent and space on the man-made island already at a premium, large villas are in short supply and are commanding enormous prices. Prices start from AED 2.6 million for smaller villas and go up to AED 340 million for ultra-prime residences.
While the Palm has historically been the most sought-after address in Dubai, Regan David Faulkner, director at Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, says: “The epicentre of UHNW concentration has shifted to Jumeirah Bay Island. Often referred to in the industry as ‘Billionaire’s Island,’ this seahorse-shaped project represents a Billionaire’s Row 2.0.”
The island is cut off from the rest of the region by a 300-metre private bridge, which acts as a physical and psychological barrier in an age when privacy and seclusion are the ultimate luxury.
While The Palm is multi-use with hotels and residential properties, Jumierah Bay is a restricted, low-density development.
“It currently holds the highest density of billionaires per square metre in the region, offering a level of seclusion that traditional mainland ‘rows’ cannot replicate,” says Faulkner. “With only 128 private plots, the island is a closed ecosystem. This finite supply ensures that price floors remain resilient even during global market fluctuations.”
He adds that the island’s properties “feature biohacking suites, including cryotherapy chambers, ice baths and medical-grade air filtration systems, prioritising ‘longevity’ as much as luxury”.
The modern villas are also designed to such a high spec that they are seen as works of art themselves. “Jumeirah Bay is a gallery of bespoke ‘starchitect’ commissions. It features works by masters like Antonio Citterio, turning the ‘row’ into a collection of unique private assets rather than standard real estate,” says Faulkner.
A recent sale of a 19,000 sqft. custom villa closed at AED 330 million, highlighting the premium placed on tip-of-the-island views of the Burj Khalifa.
57th Street, #66B, New York. Sold for $24m. Photo: Christie’s International Real Estate ·Christie’s International Real Estate
Like Bishop’s Avenue in London, 57th Street in New York also has a long and distinguished history as a base for billionaires. West of Fifth Avenue, 57th street was where the world’s first supertall buildings were built, reshaping the NY skyline and redefining what ultra luxury was.
“What distinguishes 57th Street is that it functions as its own ecosystem. It’s not just beautiful residences; it’s art, architecture, culture, hospitality, and flagship retail layered into a single corridor,” says Howard Morrel and Leslie Hirsch, founders and leaders of the Christie’s International Real Estate Trusts & Estates Division.
“Buyers can step from a private residence into world-class galleries, concert halls, Michelin-level dining, and iconic retail within minutes. Very few streets globally offer that density of cultural and lifestyle capital, and 57th street also pairs this with direct access to Central Park.”
57th Street, #66B, New York. Sold for $24m. Photo: Christie’s International Real Estate ·Christie’s International Real Estate
The street is the world’s most expensive place to live and has proven to be one of the most resilient in terms of sustained value, with consistent sales above $20m despite shifting world economic cycles.
“57th Street is still widely viewed as a home for trophy properties and a safe haven for global wealth. It’s a place where international buyers can hedge against economic uncertainty in their home countries,” adds Morrell and Hirsch.
And, in terms of what “super prime buyers” are looking for, they say: “We’re seeing greater emphasis on classic architecture, thoughtful layouts, wellness amenities, and outdoor space rather than sheer height or spectacle. The evolution of 57th Street mirrors how UHNW buyers themselves are evolving: less transactional, more intentional.”