Downton Abbey-Style Home And Other Wishes Of The Rich In Pandemic Era

Championship-sized tennis courts (not necessarily for playing tennis), a penthouse bedroom that doubles as a garden and Instagram-worthy wine cellars are just a few of the features real estate agents say the well-heeled are craving.

Space is the No. 1 priority for real estate hunters in the pandemic era at every level of the market. But for the rich, that means far more than just another bedroom. Championship-sized tennis courts (not necessarily for playing tennis), a penthouse bedroom that doubles as a garden and Instagram-worthy wine cellars are just a few of the features real estate agents say the well-heeled are craving. And even as the vaccine rollout gathers pace, experts aren't expecting the desire at the top end of the market for a more resort-like experience to ebb anytime soon. "Covid has made people reassess the life they want to lead," said Michelle Ciesielski, head of residential research at Knight Frank Australia. "This isn't going away."