THE EVOLUTION OF WELL-BEING
A new way of experiencing comfort
By Karen Silva y Clara Gabán
From Roman baths to the landscaped rooftops of contemporary architecture, the history of amenities is, in reality, the history of how human beings have understood well-being and comfort. Classical civilizations had already conceived shared spaces designed not only for utility, but also for leisure. The Baths of Caracalla in Rome, with their heated pools, massage rooms and libraries, are considered by many historians to be the first model of a multifunctional building in history, a place for the body, the mind and the community.
Over the centuries, this concept became more refined. During the Renaissance, Italian palaces (and later Spanish ones) incorporated gardens, courtyards and fountains as natural extensions of interior life. The nobility did not seek beauty alone; they sought harmony, proportion, air and light. In Spain, the palaces of Seville and the stately homes of 18th-century Madrid already anticipated what we would now call residential wellness, spaces where aesthetics and leisure merge into a single purpose.
The 20th century brought a new revolution. With urban expansion and the rise of the middle class, comfort became democratized. In the 1950s and 1960s, residential developments began to incorporate gardens, swimming pools and shared spaces that symbolized well-being. The so-called Spanish developmentalism, that period of urban growth driven by tourism and the domestic economy, transformed the way people lived. Housing ceased to be a private refuge and became a place for socialization, a microcosm where leisure time was shared.
For some time now, the concept has evolved once again. The comfort of residential living has consolidated into a concept of its own: amenities. These amenities are no longer defined by their quantity, but by their meaning. It is no longer about offering more services, but about designing spaces that care. Wellness areas, green terraces, shared libraries, coworking spaces or yoga rooms, each element responds to a new, more emotional and more human sensitivity. In a hyperconnected world, luxury lies in being able to slow down and breathe.
And Spain, once again, stands at the center of this evolution. Madrid is experiencing a surge of residential projects that reinterpret comfort from a contemporary and Mediterranean perspective, where architecture does not impose itself, but rather accompanies. Where noble materials engage in dialogue with technology, and history blends with modern life.
According to recent data from Knight Frank, between 15% and 30% of prime property buyers, mainly UHNWIs and family offices, consider amenities a decisive purchasing criterion, especially when it comes to second homes. Shared spaces and facilities have gone from being an added value to becoming almost a necessity.
A trend which, as explained by Manuel Juzgado, Head of New Developments at Knight Frank, reflects the evolution of this concept in the prime market: “Private services and amenities have evolved into spaces designed to enjoy unique experiences, aimed at enhancing happiness and well-being. Amenities have become an essential element and a key factor in value appreciation in prime residential new-build developments in Madrid, ensuring both quality of life and investment security.”
"Private services and amenities have evolved into spaces where unique experiences can be enjoyed, aimed at enhancing happiness and well-being."
Care in trend
The buyer profile is also influencing this trend. While domestic clients continue to value traditional amenities, such as private parking, gym or concierge services, international buyers prioritize wellness and lifestyle areas such as spas, heated pools, rooftops with bars or private cinemas.
Far from being merely decorative, these types of spaces increase both demand and the value of a property, consolidating their role as one of the most determining variables in today’s premium residential market.
The relevance of these services is such that, out of the 26 new development projects currently marketed by Knight Frank’s Residential team in Madrid, 65% include amenities.
Views of the gardens and outdoor swimming pool at El Viso Residences
Fully equipped gym at El Viso Residences. A space to exercise the mind while the soul finds rest.
Living immersed in nature
A clear example is El Viso Residences. Its gardens, which envelop the development and infuse it with life, create a serene and welcoming atmosphere, set apart from the city’s fast pace.
A brief moment in its gym, oriented towards these remarkable gardens, is enough to reconnect with oneself. These are spaces designed to disconnect and return to the present.
Life in a Palace Residence
Another standout example is Palacio Torre-Almiranta, on Calle Sagasta, which reinterprets the concept of amenities through emotion.
Behind its 1893 façade, restored by Touza Arquitectos together with the studio of Lázaro Rosa-Violán, 15 residences reclaim their historic essence while combining it with spaces designed to inspire wellbeing: a private library, landscaped courtyards and a terrace opening onto the Madrid skyline.
More than a development, it is a demonstration of how amenities, when conceived with intention, become a natural extension of everyday living.
Patio interno de Palacio Torre-Almiranta
Library and social lounge at Palacio Torre-Almiranta
Carlos Zamora, Partner in Knight Frank’s Residential team, summarises it as follows: “In new-build developments, amenities not only define the character of a project, but also shape the resident experience. In today’s market, high-quality amenities are essential to attract discerning buyers, who are looking for far more than square metres.”
For this reason, the next generation of amenities will seek calm, sustainability and a deeper connection with the surrounding environment, where true comfort is not defined by the number of services, but by the quality of the experience they provide.