Investment property and personal residence in a countryside home.
In the suburban real estate arena for the elite clique, certain established locales top the preference list over the expensive new construction in the capital—the "golden mile" ain't cutting it anymore. Construction has swayed from the city center to neighboring zones, while premium and luxury cottage settlements stay cemented to the west of Moscow. The principal buyers in the game, according to experts, are existing homeowners, joined by Moscow residents with offspring and travelers from other regions who once dwelled in private homes and seek to preserve their customary lifestyle and comfort.
Among these buyers, you'll find plenty of self-made business owners, managers, and upper and top-tier executives. As per Ekaterina Batynkova, Director of Sales Department at GALS-Development Group, these clients are less bound to the office, sporting flexible schedules. "They prefer spending weekends with their families, as they put a premium on family values and home coziness. Many also have property in Moscow and abroad," the expert paints the buyer's portrait. GALS-Development, a renowned Moscow developer and part of VTB Group, successfully executed the elite hamlet "Berezki River Village" on Rublevskoe-Uspenskoye highway, and now offers the market another intriguing proposition—the "Maslovo Forest Club" on the Ilyinsky highway.
Momentum in the Market
You might think diversification is only for stock traders. However, in the wealthy investor's portfolio today, suburban elite real estate finds itself as an asset with a high entry barrier and promising price growth potential—thanks to quality projects in premium locations that offer everything the owners and investors crave: comfort of living, private recreational opportunities, and solid liquidity.
By the end of Q1 2025, the primary market for country properties counted 479 listings (+19% QoQ), with 85% being premium listings (NF Group data). Two new premium-class projects were unveiled on the Novorizhskoe direction, one presenting ready-made cottages, the other land plots. Sales for new phases in "Crystal Istra" and "Ilinsky Hills" commenced. Despite the high demand, the supply remains elusive.
Shift in Priorities
Over the past few years, luxury suburban real estate seems to be evolving from weekend retreats to primary residences. Consequently, buyers are homing in on specific factors: architectural awareness steals the limelight from impersonal projects, privacy and ecology take center stage—forest plots and minimal neighbors find favor. Yet, buyers are also mindful of services and community, as Tatiana Alexeyeva describes, "they're not simply eyeing a stunning residence, but a surrounding environment where neighbors, values, and the service level resonate."
In some cases, selecting a country house for one's permanent residence is more straightforward than picking an investment property. Relying solely on taste in the former case may not be the wisest move. "In the elite country segment, the main risks aren't market-related but stem from incorrect asset selection," says Tatiana Alexeyeva. Shying away from overvalued or non-liquid projects withicky land, especially those with legal issues, is advisable. Alexeyeva advises considering the following parameters: "Location with growth potential—within 40 km from MKAD with good transport accessibility; natural surroundings; village format—security, infrastructure, unified architectural concept, landscape design, children's and sports areas, services; plot size—15 to 50 acres; house layout—second light, master bedroom with terrace, fireplace zone, sauna/spa, well-designed closets." Pavel Treivas, managing partner of Point Group, recommends opting for "land plots with the correct shapes, houses with sensibly designed layouts and interiors."
Investors ought to focus on suburban projects in recreational areas, a type of "resort real estate" in the Moscow region. In these places, developers create extensive high-quality infrastructure (fitness centers, hotels, restaurants, sports facilities, etc.), making living there delightful and these villages are in demand. Elite suburban properties nestled amid forests, water bodies, and protected natural areas offer more than just aesthetics and ecology—they serve as a form of capital protection. "Such properties become an alternative to unattainable foreign real estate; ensure high privacy, which is paramount for affluent clients; and have incessant demand, especially with limited supply. Locations with developed infrastructure and fast logistics—like 'Maslovo Forest Club' (28 km from MKAD via Ilyinsky Highway)—emerge as new magnets for folks chasing a balance between nature and urban comfort," explains Tatiana Alekseeva.
Striking the Balance
"Maslovo Forest Club" serves as a fine example of masterful execution. In terms of location, architecture, and natural surroundings (a forest of relict pines), it appeals to both investors and those seeking permanent residence. The settlement resides nearby the celebrated Nikulino Hill, one of the most prestigious sites in the Moscow region with rich history. Hassle-free exits onto three highways—Ilyinsky, Novorizhskoe, Rublevskoe-Uspenskoye—and the toll road "Northern bypass of Odintsovo" enable reaching the capital in half an hour, while the trajectory via the Northern дублер Кутузовского проспекта will shave the time from MKAD to Moscow-City to seven minutes.
For "Maslovo Forest Club," architectural bureau IND architects has designed seven types of cottages in two styles. In total, the hamlet will feature 119 two-story houses. Each house is finished with organic materials: ceramic bricks in chocolate, smoky, milk, or terracotta shades of handmade and limited series, as well as wooden planken. Currently, houses 3 and 4 of the last phase, spanning from 284 sq.m to 520 sq.m with plots of 10-12 acres, are up for grabs. The layout presents a spacious kitchen-living room with a fireplace, terrace, master bedroom with en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, children's room, and home office. All cottages boast a boiler room on the first floor. The hamlet will be linked to all central utilities and high-speed internet.
The entire hamlet terrain spans 30 hectares. Public zones designed by bureau Scape occupy over 5 hectares. The hamlet is already equipped with a central square outfitted with an amphitheater, children's playgrounds, sports zones, and a pedestrian boulevard. The boulevard will sport hammocks, swings, bike paths, and a "tactile trail." A separate dog walking area will be included. The hamlet is surrounded by Maslovsky Park on three sides, with landscaped alleys for strolls, sports, and leisure areas.
Prestigious schools along the Rublevskoe-Uspenskoye highway, kindergartens, dining establishments, wellness centers, stores, and a Moscow River beach are within close proximity to the hamlet—essentially, the city may not be required.
The anticipated completion of "Maslovo Forest Club" is slated for 2026. According to Ekaterina Batynkova, more than 80% of the houses have been sold in the three years since the initiation of sales, and the lot price has more than doubled, signifying the high quality of the project and the demand for premium suburban real estate for living and investing.
- Investors in the suburban real estate market are increasingly looking towards premium projects in prime locations to diversify their portfolios, as these offer comfort, private recreational opportunities, and solid liquidity.
- As the demand for luxury suburban properties shifts towards primary residences, buyers are focusing on factors such as architectural style, privacy, ecology, community, and services, often considering land plots with the correct shapes, houses with sensibly designed layouts and interiors, and locations with growth potential and good transport accessibility.
