VAL DE VIE ESTATE SELECTED AS ONE OF THE TOP 15 WELLNESS ESTATES IN THE WORLD
Val de Vie Estate has been included in the list of the 15 top wellness real estate developments in the world. It is the only estate from Africa to be recognised at this top-tier level. The list, as featured in the Global Wellness Institute’s “2026 Wellness Real Estate Atlas”, highlights the growing importance of the wellness economy, both internationally and locally.
The Global Wellness Institute is a US-based non-profit organisation, recognised as a global authority on the “wellness economy”, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy.
In the 2026 Wellness Real Estate Atlas, the best wellness estates are grouped together in a top tier of 15 estates. Val de Vie Estate’s luxury retirement community, Val de Vie Evergreen Lifestyle, was also listed in the second tier, which featured 31 international estates.
The wellness economy (industries and markets dedicated to supporting holistic physical, mental, and emotional well-being as part of day-to-day life) has expanded rapidly in recent years and is now valued at $876 billion globally, with strong growth projected for the next decade.
Ryk Neethling, Marketing and Brand Director at Val de Vie Estate, said: “The recognition is a great honour, yes, but it actually points to something often underestimated in South Africa: the role that estates play not only in shaping healthy and fulfilling living, but also in driving economic activity. The popularity of wellness estates such as Val de Vie Estate makes them economic engines that contribute to regional growth, infrastructure investment, and municipal sustainability.”
This is particularly evident in the Western Cape, where the estate has become an integral part of the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley. Independent economic research by Dr Jonathan Bloom shows that the construction of the Val de Vie Estate and Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate alone contributed R14 billion to the Western Cape economy, generated R36,6 billion in new business sales, and created 51 121 sustainable jobs.
The fiscal contribution is equally significant. Dr Bloom’s research found that the large lifestyle estates such as Val de Vie Estate, Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate and Boschenmeer collectively account for nearly 30% of all property tax revenue in the Drakenstein Municipality. This means that almost one in every three Rand collected in rates is generated by these three developments. This has direct implications for municipal capacity, service delivery and long-term financial resilience.
Val de Vie Estate’s inclusion in the top tier of global wellness estates highlights the success of its six wellness pillars:
- Physical wellness focuses on active living through world-class sports, fitness and outdoor infrastructure.
- Mental and emotional wellness supports a sense of belonging and personal growth through environment, culture and experiences.
- Social wellness is built around strong community connections, shared spaces and opportunities for meaningful interaction.
- Environmental wellness prioritises living in harmony with nature through conservation, restoration and sustainable design.
- Community or civic wellness fosters a sense of ownership, participation and shared responsibility among residents; for instance, over the past nine years, the Val de Vie Foundation has invested more than R50 million in surrounding community upliftment.
- Economic wellness ensures long-term value through sustainable investment, local economic contribution and opportunities for prosperity.
