Weekly Round-up

Actionable intelligence, not noise.

Agenda

  • Spotlight

  • Fine Assets

  • Real Estate

  • Equities

Limassol Real Estate Market Overview & Forecast (2025 & 2026)

The Limassol real estate market in 2025 is undergoing a period of accelerated maturity, driven by sustained demand from international investors, a surge in luxury coastal development, and the city’s expanding role as Cyprus’s financial and business capital. While other regions have shown cyclical performance, Limassol continues to lead the national property market—accounting for over 40% of all real estate transactions in Cyprus in 2024, totaling €1.38 billion in value.

As Cyprus’s most globally connected property market, Limassol combines tax efficiency, high-end infrastructure, and coastal appeal, making it a primary target for yield-focused and lifestyle-driven investors.

Average property prices in Limassol have continued their upward trend, with new-build luxury units in the seafront districts reaching €6,000–€8,000 per square meter, while resale apartments in central neighborhoods range between €2,800 and €4,500/sqm.

High-rise projects, branded residences, and marina-side developments are attracting capital from the Middle East, Israel, Russia, and Western Europe—particularly in the €500K to €1.5M segment.

Investor confidence is further reinforced by Cyprus’s favorable tax regime, permanent residency programs, and the city’s growing digital economy. However, increased supply in some luxury verticals and macroeconomic uncertainty in developer markets (e.g., Russia, China) may influence demand composition going into 2026.

Street Art Is Gaining Museum and Auction House Recognition Attracting Investors

Street art was once seen as rebellious, raw, and fleeting — a form of visual protest painted on the walls of urban neighborhoods. Today, it has broken through those boundaries to become one of the fastest-growing categories in the global art market.

Works by artists such as Banksy, KAWS, and JR are not only showcased in major galleries but also acquired by leading museums and sold at prestigious auction houses.

The turning point came when institutions began to recognize street art’s cultural and historical value. Exhibitions at the Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris gave street art a new level of legitimacy. This shift helped transform it from a countercultural movement into a mainstream collectible asset.

The market data supports this transformation. According to Artprice, the global turnover for urban and street art grew by more than 40% between 2018 and 2023, with auction records consistently being broken.

The combination of strong demand, limited supply, and cultural significance has made street art an increasingly attractive investment category for collectors seeking both financial returns and cultural relevance.

Rare Wine Grapes Billionaires Are Quietly Investing In

Most people think of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir when they hear the term “fine wine investment.” And for good reason—these blue-chip grape varieties dominate auction houses and private collections. But behind the scenes, a quiet shift is underway.

A growing number of ultra-wealthy investors are turning their attention to rare wine grape varieties that are flying under the radar but have all the ingredients of future icons: scarcity, character, regional prestige, and untapped global demand.

In today’s fine wine market, rarity often beats reputation. Wines made from grapes like Assyrtiko from Santorini, Xinomavro from Northern Greece, or Trousseau from the Jura region in France have seen a steady rise in value, partly due to their low production and unique terroir.

Some of these bottles now fetch annual returns of 8% to 12%, according to niche fine wine platforms and boutique auction houses.

As Tom Gearing, CEO of Cult Wines, noted in a recent interview: “There’s a growing appetite among collectors for discovery. The thrill now isn’t just about owning Petrus—it’s about uncovering the next great wine before the rest of the market catches on.“

Museum-Grade Watches Could Be The Next Big Investment Opportunity In 2025

In 2025, the watch investment market is showing a noticeable shift toward the ultra-rare — and nothing fits that description better than museum-grade watches. These are not just timepieces; they are historical artifacts, often tied to legendary owners, groundbreaking craftsmanship, or pivotal moments in horology.

For decades, many of these watches have been locked away in museum vaults or the private safes of elite collectors, rarely surfacing for public sale. When they do, the market tends to pay attention — and prices can reach levels that redefine benchmarks.

The renewed interest isn’t coming from casual collectors. It’s being driven by seasoned investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking tangible assets that combine cultural significance with financial potential.

According to Phillips Auctioneers, the global vintage watch market saw auction sales exceed $700 million in 2024, with the highest growth rate in pieces considered “museum quality.” This signals a clear trend: the rarer the watch, the more insulated it seems from short-term market volatility.

Industry experts agree. As Aurel Bacs, senior consultant at Phillips, once remarked, “The most important watches don’t just retain value — they rewrite history every time they resurface.”

That sentiment is increasingly shaping investor behavior, as museum-grade watches are no longer just admired for their beauty but also for their resilience as long-term stores of value.

What’s different now is that some of these watches, unseen for decades, are beginning to quietly change hands — often in private transactions before ever hitting the auction block.

How To Find The Right Real Estate Market For Investment In 2025

Selecting the right real estate market is no longer about simply following population growth or picking the cheapest zip code. Today’s investors face a complex and competitive landscape shaped by macroeconomic uncertainty, regional labor market shifts, demographic evolutions, and tightening monetary policies.

Yet, for those who apply a disciplined, data-driven approach, the potential for strong capital appreciation, stable cash flow, and portfolio diversification remains significant.

The global real estate sector has exhibited resilience despite rising interest rates and inflationary pressures. Real estate investors—whether focused on buy-and-hold, short-term rentals, or value-add multifamily strategies—must now evaluate markets using a sophisticated blend of local and macroeconomic indicators.

Metrics like cap rate, vacancy rate, job growth, and median home price to income ratios have become indispensable tools in pinpointing lucrative regions.

Why US Tariffs Are Making Swiss Blue-Chip Stocks More Attractive

When headlines shout about tariffs and trade wars, most investors instinctively brace for impact. But for some, especially those with a longer time horizon, moments like these unlock new opportunities—particularly in places known for stability, precision, and long-term performance. One of those places is Switzerland.

In 2025, recent US tariffs—especially the unexpected 39% levy targeting Swiss imports—have sent ripples through global markets. While the immediate response was a dip in the Swiss Market Index (SMI), a growing number of investors are now revisiting Swiss blue-chip stocks as a safe and resilient play in a more unpredictable global economy.

From household names like Nestlé, Roche, and Novartis to luxury icons like Richemont, Swiss blue-chip companies have long been prized for their global reach, reliable earnings, and low volatility. As the US applies pressure through protectionist policies, these companies are becoming even more attractive—not despite the tariffs, but in some ways, because of them.

At The Luxury Playbook, we don’t follow the market—we analyze it, decode it, and stay ahead of it.”

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