Behind Closed Doors: The Ultra-Luxury Projects Redefining Global Real Estate at The Upfronts

On a sunny Monday afternoon in Beverly Hills, the plush screening room at The London West Hollywood buzzed with the quiet intensity of billion-dollar deals in the making. Hosted by The Society Group and The Wall Street Journal, The Upfronts brought together LA’s top luxury real estate brokers for a first look at the world’s most coveted upcoming developments and off-market gems.

Now a highly anticipated annual tradition, The Upfronts is where power agents swap intel, preview the next architectural icons, and cultivate the kind of trust that fuels the discreet world of off-market sales. This year’s panel featured industry heavyweights Cindy Ambuehl and Tomer Fridman of Christie’s International, Scott Moore of RE Socal, and more each offering an exclusive peek behind the velvet rope.

One spotlight moment came courtesy of a 9,000+ square-foot architectural masterpiece on Brentwood’s prestigious Moreno Avenue, designed by the renowned Michael Kovac. Never officially listed, this estate is an example of how many of LA’s most significant transactions happen in complete silence.

“Some of the biggest deals in Los Angeles never hit Zillow,” Ambuehl shared. “Off-market is about trust and relationships. When done right, it creates an intimate ecosystem where top agents collaborate not compete to serve the world’s wealthiest clientele.”

The global gaze wasn’t confined to Los Angeles. Aaron Kirman, also of Christie’s International, captivated the audience with plans for Burj Azizi in Dubai soon to be the second-tallest building on Earth. Packed with superlatives, the tower promises to house the world’s highest restaurant, club, movie theater, and even grocery store. And yes, there will be residences, already sparking interest from high-net-worth buyers in London, Hong Kong, and the hills of Malibu.

“Today’s ultra-rich are nomadic,” Kirman explained. “They’re not just buying homes. They’re buying launchpads across continents.”

Back on U.S. soil, The Upfronts spotlighted New York’s rising towers One High Line in Chelsea and Central Park Tower on Billionaires’ Row where a modest two-bedroom starts at $8.1 million. According to Corcoran Sunshine’s Kane Manera, there’s a growing wave of West Coasters looking to make Manhattan their primary address.

Yet the biggest surprise came from Nashville, now attracting a surge of luxury buyers from LA and New York, lured by low taxes and music industry roots. Kris Wylder of Corcoran Reverie unveiled The Nashville Edition, a new residential tower poised to break price records in the city.

And for those seeking mountain majesty, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Deer Valley in Utah is set to open in 2028, promising ski-in/ski-out splendor as part of a massive resort expansion.

In perhaps the most forward-looking pitch, Anita Verma-Lallian of Arizona Land Consulting turned heads with an investment opportunity that combines real estate and tech: raw land in Arizona earmarked for future AI data centers. It was a reminder that in the luxury market, vision not just square footage drives value.

As the day wound down, champagne flowed and deals simmered at the London Bar. Beneath the glittering chandeliers, brokers toasted not just the properties but the power of connection in an industry that thrives on trust, taste, and timing.

Aaron Kirman summed up the day best: “We’re not just selling houses. We’re connecting worlds.”