Beyond the Golf Course: Top-Tier Medical Access as a Luxury Asset

IRVING, TX – December 01, 2025 – For decades, the checklist for luxury living was predictable: a championship golf course, a state-of-the-art fitness center, concierge services, and proximity to fine dining and shopping. But a profound shift is underway, driven by an evolving understanding of what constitutes true quality of life. Today’s discerning homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing health, wellness, and peace of mind, transforming convenient access to elite medical care from a practical consideration into a premier luxury amenity. A groundbreaking new report from healthcare leader McKesson Corporation, while focused on oncology, provides a startlingly clear window into this trend, revealing how the decentralization of advanced medicine is reshaping the value proposition of high-end communities across the nation.

The New Anchor Amenity: Proximity to Elite Healthcare

The definition of a desirable location is expanding. While views and school districts remain important, the sophistication and accessibility of local healthcare infrastructure are becoming powerful drivers in the luxury real estate market. This is especially true as affluent demographics age and prioritize long-term well-being. The notion of having to travel to a major metropolitan hub for top-tier specialty care is becoming outdated and undesirable. The new luxury is having world-class treatment just minutes from home.

McKesson’s inaugural Advancing Community Oncology Report, published today, inadvertently maps out this very phenomenon. It highlights that over half of all cancer patients in the United States are now treated in community settings—local, independent practices that are rapidly evolving into hubs of medical innovation. This decentralization means that cutting-edge care is no longer the exclusive domain of large, university-affiliated urban hospitals. Instead, it is becoming embedded in the fabric of suburban and even exurban communities, the very places where many master-planned luxury developments are taking root. For a potential homebuyer, knowing that a leading cancer treatment and research center is part of the local landscape provides a level of security and convenience that a private cinema or rooftop pool simply cannot match.

Innovation in the Neighborhood: What's Driving the Change

The McKesson report, based on extensive surveys with oncologists and practice administrators, paints a picture of community practices that are anything but provincial. These are centers on the front lines of medical breakthroughs. According to the findings, an overwhelming 95% of community oncology clinicians expect personalized medicine to significantly improve patient survival rates, and over 70% believe these innovative therapies will replace traditional methods within the next decade.

“Cancer care in the United States is at a pivotal moment, with over half of cancer patients now treated in community settings,” noted Jason Hammonds, president of Oncology & Multispecialty at McKesson. “This shift creates both opportunities and added complexities for community providers and biopharma companies working to expand access to cutting-edge therapies.”

This push for innovation directly enhances the appeal of surrounding residential areas. The report reveals a strong desire to expand local access to clinical trials, with 93% of providers agreeing on their benefit to patients. While challenges remain—85% of physicians stated it’s harder to access trials in the community—the clear ambition is to bring medical research to the patient's doorstep. For luxury homebuyers, this translates into the possibility of accessing tomorrow's cures without leaving their community, a powerful and previously unimaginable amenity.

Impact on Luxury Development and Investment

The rise of the community innovation hub has significant implications for luxury real estate developers and investors. The presence of an advanced medical facility serves as a powerful anchor, stabilizing property values and attracting a stable, affluent resident base. The report notes that community oncologists are seeing rising patient volumes (62%), more long-term care needs (76%), and even a growing number of younger patients (76%), signaling a sustained, multi-generational demand for these local health services.

Developers of master-planned communities are taking notice. Integrating or co-locating with advanced healthcare facilities is becoming a key differentiator in a competitive market. It’s a strategic move that addresses the holistic needs of residents, creating a self-contained ecosystem of wellness and high-end living. This synergy creates a virtuous cycle: the high-end community provides a patient base for the medical center, and the medical center enhances the value and appeal of the community’s real estate.

“The insights in our Advancing Community Oncology Report highlight practical, near-term opportunities for biopharma to expand its impact in these care settings,” said Michelle Lockyer, chief strategy officer for Oncology at McKesson, emphasizing the focus on translating scientific progress into real-world patient access. This access is precisely what homebuyers are now willing to pay a premium for.

A Blueprint for the Future: Technology and Patient-Centric Living

Perhaps the most compelling aspect for the luxury market is the technological sophistication detailed in the report. A vast majority of providers—84% of oncologists and 87% of administrators—anticipate Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a major role in both clinical and administrative functions. From AI-driven diagnostic tools to streamlined patient management, technology is making these community centers more efficient and effective.

This tech-forward approach aligns perfectly with the expectations of a luxury consumer. It promises a seamless, personalized, and data-driven healthcare experience. The report’s emphasis on meeting changing patient needs, such as the strong demand for tailored patient education, further underscores a patient-centric model that mirrors the bespoke service expected in high-end markets.

As these community medical hubs become more technologically advanced and patient-focused, they contribute to a broader narrative of a modern, convenient, and secure lifestyle. For developers and real estate professionals, highlighting a community’s proximity to a center that leverages AI for better health outcomes is a far more powerful selling point than highlighting last decade's amenities. It speaks to a future-proof investment in both property and personal health, which is the ultimate, enduring luxury.