The price threshold for “ultra-luxury” real estate is notoriously slippery. Many pinpoint the top 1% of a local market as the qualifying mark. Yet labeling a property “ultra-luxury” isn’t just about cost. Grand design, impeccable craftsmanship and an enviable setting can matter more than a multimillion-dollar tag. Some residences under $5 million embody a level of splendor that defies tidy definitions. They remain lavish but avoid straying into eye-popping, wallet-busting territory.
Here are six examples from across the globe that prove ultra-luxury can transcend price.
Haciendas may trace their lineage to Spanish tradition, but they discover new vitality amid Costa Rica’s forest-laced terrain. On the edge of Santa Ana, Villa Artesana exemplifies this harmonious recontextualization.
Terracotta roofs, a motif of archways, and sweeping verandas echo Iberian influences, while open-air courtyards and sculpted gardens celebrate the country’s exuberant biodiversity. At dawn, the scent of coffee blossoms winds through the home’s airy interior. You might even spot a toucan or two.
Yali Alpízar, founder of Luxury Living Costa Rica, holds the listing for the $4.9 million hacienda.
New York City’s Upper West Side is among its most venerable corners, cushioned between the greenery of Central Park and the allure of Riverside Park. Though undeniably urban, its tree-lined blocks conjure a distinctly small-town serenity, a gentle hush that feels miles removed from Midtown’s frenetic pace.
This five-bedroom duplex on 83rd Street channels that calm, offering a haven from the city’s perpetual hum. Beyond the historic façade, vintage character mingles with contemporary refinement. Lofty ceilings lend space for thought, while exposed brick walls reverberate with the neighborhood’s storied past. A garden terrace, tucked just off the main living area, furthers the feeling of sanctuary—a gentle reminder that sometimes the best part of city living is finding a private nook within.
Priced at $3.1 million, Vincent A. Pergola and David Ghoneim of Elegran hold the listing.
Though Greece often takes center stage when it comes to the ancient Mediterranean, Croatia’s rugged shores bear tales that are every bit as storied. The Dalmatian coast has witnessed empires rise and fall, leaving behind medieval strongholds and Roman relics in UNESCO-protected settlements like Trogir and Split. Tucked away within those ancient stones, however, a distinctly modern marvel now claims a perch alongside the shore.
Above the Adriatic’s shimmering surface, the villa’s cascading pool appears to merge with the horizon, stretching sightlines to the water’s edge. Broad windows shaped by clean architectural lines pull in the Mediterranean sun. The result is a striking dialogue between past and present—an interplay of an ancient setting and contemporary living that embodies Croatia’s enduring appeal.
On the market for EUR 3.45 million(US $3,734,625), Dino Vulic of Broker Group holds the listing.
Nuns’ Island, separated from the rest of Montreal by the St. Lawrence River, mirrors the city’s dual nature—cosmopolitan and laid-back. Here, skyscrapers run head-on into scenic trails.
Rising above it all, the 20th-floor penthouse at Sommet I captures this interplay with a panorama of windows framing the river’s shifting moods—crystalline in winter’s hush, dotted with sailboats when summer unfurls. The penthouse’s pristine white décor offers a cool counterpoint to nature’s shifting palette. Nearby cafés and cultural pockets enrich daily life without intruding on the island’s quieter charms.
Carl-Rémillard Fontaine of Profusion Immobilier holds the listing for the CAD 3.99 million (US $2,777,580) penthouse.
Austin is well known for its lively atmosphere. Perhaps this is why it reserves some of its most refined residences for the rolling hills beyond the urban tempo. Westwood Terrace in particular presents a half-acre sanctuary, where a custom-built, six-bedroom home lies behind a gentle horseshoe drive.
Towering oaks envelop the façade, offering a restful green canopy for each of the property’s outdoor spaces, including a shimmering pool and private cabana. Inside, 5,500 square feet of polished interiors feature dual primary baths, three separate living areas and adaptable guest quarters with both internal and external entry. It’s a self-possessed retreat that quietly reinforces the notion that true luxury can often live at the edge of town.
Priced at $4.99 million, the listing is held by Laura Betancourt and Megan Matza of Moreland Properties.
In Marbella, even homes with a minimalist aesthetic embrace Spain’s exuberant spirit. Sun-bleached beaches and the swaying palms of Marbella’s Golden Mile set the tone for this sleek escape in one of Spain’s most iconic coastal destinations.
There’s no ornate detailing here. Instead, subtle elegance reigns, blending open-plan design with a sense of effortless flow. The result is breezy living spaces where glass doors vanish into hidden panels, revealing terraces poised for lazy afternoons or lively soirées.
Cristina Martínez of Rimontgó holds the listing, priced at EUR 4.3 million (US $4,654,750)
Featured properties are on the market with members of Forbes Global Properties, an invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.
MORE FROM FORBES GLOBAL PROPERTIES
Read the full article here
