The Lewis Center Sustainability Forum, generously supported by ULI Foundation Governor Randall Lewis, brings together leaders in decarbonization, health and equity, resilience, and real estate to discuss what they are doing, planning, and observing in the field. The forum will be a content-heavy, interactive discussion and exchange. 

This spring’s forum is organized in collaboration with ULI member leaders and will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the ULI Building Healthy Places Toolkit, which outlines opportunities to enhance health through changes in approaches to buildings and projects. The Forum will explore how the field has evolved in the past ten years and will highlight best practices in projects from Denver that include features that holistically support positive health outcomes. Additionally, participants will explore through the Mariposa development through discussions and a tour. Details for the day can be found here. 

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Join us for an exclusive ULI tour showcasing Northern Colorado, the fastest-growing region in the state, where a remarkable story of job creation and population growth unfolds. This dynamic region offers a blueprint for intentional regional design, connecting thriving municipalities through innovative planning and collaboration. Explore master-planned, mixed-use communities that reflect a commitment to smart growth and sustainable development. Experience firsthand how Northern Colorado is fostering economic vitality while preserving its unique character and enhancing quality of life. The tour includes mixed-use communities around I-25 and Highway 34 with a stop at Scheels, the first location of its kind in Colorado, setting a standard for retail and entertainment in the region; Colorado State University’s Powerhouse Energy Campus, a state-of-the-art facility at the forefront of clean energy research and innovation, where technology and sustainable solutions are shaping the future; the site named Fourth Best Square in America by USA Today, where culture, commerce, and community intersect in a vibrant public space; and one of Northern Colorado’s iconic breweries, showcasing the region’s vibrant craft beer culture. Discover how intentional regional planning and forward-thinking initiatives are driving Northern Colorado’s success, creating opportunities for talent, innovation, and meaningful connections across municipalities.

Bordered by the State Capitol, the City and County Building, and the Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Park is the centerpiece of Denver’s green space. With structures over 100 years old, the park blooms with 25,000 square feet of flower beds each summer and serves as a frequent event site year-round. As Denver’s first National Historic Landmark, Civic Center Park’s future is just as important as its past. The Civic Center Next 100 plan will catalyze new activity and animate this park in the heart of Denver. The transformation of four key areas will fulfill past community-driven planning visions and elevate the landmark for the next 100 years by providing new energy, world-class performances, and events.

This tour also visits nearby Populus, an energetic new social center in downtown Denver with both private and public spaces. The unique style of the hotel is informed by Denver’s aspen trees and its design supports its sustainability and efficiency. The windows are detailed to perform efficiently in the Denver climate, and on the exterior, the “lids” of each window stretch outward to shade the interior, while also channeling rainwater. Deepening the building’s commitment to sustainability, Populus promotes density downtown by activating the entirety of its compact, triangular footprint. The concrete structure minimizes cement by incorporating fly ash and forgoes any levels dedicated to parking—a first for a new building downtown—encouraging visitors toward greener modes of transport. With a green roof providing an attractive habitat for local wildlife and insects, Populus aims to reconnect city dwellers with nature in the heart of Denver.

Originally a medical depot for the U.S. Army during World War II, York Street Yards has been transformed into a thriving center for innovation and creativity. The preservation of this brick and timber project, guided by a deep respect for the site’s rich heritage, preserves the architectural integrity of the original buildings while infusing them with modern amenities for today’s tenants. These once-utilitarian warehouses have been reimagined as flexible workspaces, fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators.

Union Station is a Denver icon. Opened in 1881, it held the distinction of being the tallest building in the West in its day. The Station reached its zenith in the mid-1940s, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors daily, but with the waning popularity of train travel in the latter half of the 20th century, the Station gradually fell into disuse.

In 2001, efforts began in earnest to reimagine the once-great landmark. The historic Denver Union Station would become the centerpiece of a shopping, dining, and cultural destination—part of a grand vision to revitalize 14 city blocks featuring offices, apartments, restaurants, stores, condominiums, hotels, and entertainment.

 

The scope of the project included three primary components:

• Transit: A joint venture of East West Partners and Continuum Partners, this project was planned and financed with additional partnership of the City of Denver, RTD, the state, and Trammell Crow. A $480 million multimodal transit station is now the hub of Denver’s rail and bus system; it features incredible new public spaces and is the impetus of an urban migration that’s drawing young singles, families, and retirees back to the city’s core.
• Private development: Several parcels of the station land were redeveloped, including two 100,000-square-foot companion office buildings that frame the historic building on the new kinetic plaza; the Triangle Building, a modern, mixed-use office and retail tower; 16 Chestnut, a 430,000-square-foot office building; and The Coloradan, Union Station Neighborhood’s only for-sale, residential high-rise, among others.
• Renovation of the historic station as the crown jewel of the community: Preservation and adaptive use of the historic station reached their highest form to maintain the neighborhood’s storied history. The Union Station Alliance continues to put love and care into Denver’s living history. Inspired by the journey, Denver Union Station has nearly completed an extensive refresh that honors its position as a thriving transit hub and downtown cultural destination.

Today, the entire Union Station Neighborhood works as a powerful economic engine for the city and the region, generating $3.8 billion in initial impact in 2014 and an additional $2.9 billion of impact on an ongoing basis. Come learn about the development of Denver’s iconic Union Station as a transportation hub, retail center, and hospitality location as it continues to serve visitors and locals from around the world.

Explore River North (RiNo), one of Denver’s most dynamic areas of development along the South Platte River. This tour will kick off at the Arkins Promenade, a mile-long pedestrian corridor that reclaims the river’s edge as an inviting, walkable public space. From there, visit RiNo ArtPark, the first dedicated park space along the river in the RiNo Art District, a district inclusive of four historic neighborhoods with deep industrial roots and a vibrant arts community. The tour will conclude at the forthcoming Denargo Market, the largest urban infill project currently underway in Denver. At full build-out, this 17-acre project will feature 3 million square feet of development and four protected and programmed acres of open green space.

In 2011, Denver nearly lost its legacy Stock Show. The National Western Stock Show organization was exploring other options after outgrowing its outdated facilities. In 2012, Denver came up with a plan not only to keep it but also to transform the 250-acre site into so much more. Five major partners—the City of Denver, Colorado State University, The National Western Stock Show, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and History Colorado—worked with the public to create a new master plan. In 2015, the citizens of Denver approved funding of nearly $1 billion to transform the site with 2.2 million square feet of new facilities as the future home for a convergence of food and agriculture innovation, education, and entertainment in the National Western Center.

Just minutes from downtown Denver, Cherry Creek North is a destination in itself, with 16 blocks of walkable streets lined with independent boutiques, celebrated restaurants, and an array of hotels and residences. A robust business district is also woven into the fabric of this thriving district and has positioned itself as one of the top markets in the United States—outperforming most downtowns and suburban office parks across the country over the past five years. Crossing 1st Avenue, the landscape shifts as Cherry Creek West takes shape—a vision that deepens the neighborhood’s relationship with Cherry Creek.

Cherry Creek West has been designed for people first. It will be a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood where everything you need is a 15-minute walk or bike ride away. The $1.5-billion development will be built in two phases. It is located at 1st and University on 13 acres and will feature seven buildings–three are anticipated to be office (600,000 square feet) and four for-rent multifamily buildings (around 825 units in total). There will be restaurants and services on the ground floors of the buildings and four acres of public space, including a large park and market square. Here, urban living meets sustainability, with new residences, offices, and retail spaces thoughtfully envisioned to integrate with four acres of open space and its prominent neighbor, Cherry Creek Mall.

Since its founding in 1984, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) has worked to serve people experiencing homelessness through housing, health care, and supportive services. One of the most significant struggles for CCH clients has been the difficulty in maintaining health following release from hospitals and other facilities, safely recovering from recent medical or clinical procedures, and other recovery needs that cannot be safely met in shelters or on the streets. The new John Parvensky Stout Street Recuperative Care Center (JPSSRCC) exponentially increases the Coalition’s ability to serve these clients.

The facility treats clients with a variety of needs, including healing from postsurgical procedures, wound care, respiratory or heart issues, oxygen needs, chemotherapy treatment, and more. In addition to medical assistance for acute conditions, clients are provided with the opportunity to receive care onsite and ongoing integrated health care at the adjacent Stout Street Health Center including behavioral health support, pharmacy access, substance use treatment, peer support, and job training. Clients also can work with integrated case managers and housing counseling staff to identify long-term housing options, thereby providing them the opportunity to successfully transition out of homelessness to a long-term residence upon discharge.

 

The interior design of the building was selected through a trauma-informed process, and donated art warms the space. The Coalition believes that energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction should be the standard for affordable housing. The building is designed and constructed to meet or exceed Enterprise Green Communities guidelines. These standards deliver greater energy and water efficiencies, better indoor air quality and space use that will be sustainable over time—ultimately resulting in lower utility costs. Architectural services for the mixed-use project, which is designed as attractively as market-rate housing in the Arapahoe Square neighborhood, were provided by Christopher Carvell Architects, and construction was provided by Milender White.

"For the right deal, there is money to be had…what does the right deal look like?" How do you position your deal to be the right one? Hear insights and learn strategies for navigating real estate capital markets today. In this session, hear from the full range of lenders: large banks, regional banks, private equity, debt funds, and others. Who is lending and who isn't? For what types of deals? What size? What terms? Refinance? Development? What changes in the debt landscape can be expected up ahead?

Endorsed by the Flex Space and Experience Council, this session will explore the drivers of today's high-performing workplace environments and challenge assumptions that the workplace cannot be a thriving, full-time destination. With data from the Gensler Research Institute's 2024 Global Workplace Survey and the 2024 CityPulse Survey, attendees will learn about the amenities and experiences that are drawing workers to the workplace and to downtown districts. Randy Howder, a regional managing principal at Gensler, will be joined by a landlord, a flex office operator, and an end-user tenant for an esteemed panel that will explore how the workplace experience is evolving to meet the needs of a post pandemic workforce that is requiring more than just places to focus and meet. The session will challenge conventional wisdom about workplace environments while highlighting the types of spaces, amenities, and services that are ushering in a new era of work in our cities.

As "revenge travel" is waning and group demand is soaring, this session will examine the forces that drive the current U.S. hotel industry. Higher-end hotels post record room rates while the lower end of the market is showing cracks. This session will examine the reasons for the current bifurcation and how this shapes the current in-construction pipeline and deal environment.

The conversation around maximizing real estate benefits often focuses on net zero emissions and adaptive reuse, overlooking human health. The emerging model of wellness real estate addresses this gap by introducing new metrics to evaluate the built environment's impact on individuals. Using Lakehouse, Colorado's first WELL Certified community, the panel will explore how wellness-driven design can generate social and economic benefits. The project architect will explain the rationale behind Lakehouse's healthy infrastructure, while researchers from Colorado State University will present findings from a multiyear study on the positive effects of thoughtful design on residents' emotional and physical health. In addition, an international research scientist from the International WELL Building Institute will provide a pro forma analysis of the financial implications of WELL Certification, including its effects on consumer attraction, social capital, health care outcomes, and employment. Join us for this discussion on the transformative potential of healthy design in real estate and its dual economic and community well-being benefits.

The state of mountain resort communities is being impacted by changing demographics, aging infrastructure, housing shortages, climate change, and expanding year-round tourism to drive economic growth. The public sector (primarily municipalities), developers, and resort owners are investing hundreds of millions of dollars. The investments aim to modernize, diversify, and create resilient resort communities. The desired outcomes and the expected returns on investment are strategic to achieve success today and be relevant for the next generation.

Leaders transforming major urban corridors through equitable transit-oriented development (TOD) share the perspectives of three cities. These communities—each with a unique story tied to race, place, and transportation—are implementing groundbreaking projects and revitalizing the physical landscape and social and economic fabric within historically marginalized populations. Los Angeles's Destination Crenshaw introduces light rail transit (LRT) into "the spine of Los Angeles's Black community," a 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard being revitalized into "an unapologetically Black" thriving cultural and commercial hub. Baton Rouge's Florida Corridor, a 12-mile Department of Transportation right of way that has symbolized racial division as the "Mason-Dixon Line of the city/parish," has approved a revitalization plan centering on equity and access, alongside new bus rapid transit (BRT) and the MOVEBR infrastructure investments. Denver's East and East Central Colfax and Federal Boulevard Corridors—with monikers "the longest, wickedest street in America" and "one of the most dangerous streets in the city," respectively—are transforming into BRT Equitable TOD corridors with prioritization on safety and community benefit.

Airports are more than just transportation hubs—they are catalysts for regional economic growth, shaping land use, investment patterns, and infrastructure development. This session will explore how cities are leveraging the aerotropolis model to drive economic competitiveness, attract industries, and enhance connectivity. A panel of leaders from three dynamic aerotropolis regions—Atlanta, Cleveland, and Denver—will share insights on their strategies for integrating airport-driven development with surrounding land uses. Topics will include zoning and land planning, transportation, infrastructure investment, public/private partnerships, and workforce development. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to harness airport-adjacent real estate development for long-term success.

The PAE Living Building in Portland, Oregon, is the first developer-driven Living Building in the world. Phase 1 of the Bridge District in Washington, D.C., will be the world's largest multifamily building to achieve ILFI's Zero Carbon certification. Both projects prove the viability of developing mixed-use commercial structures that improve their urban and ecological context while delivering financial returns. With each project, the teams tackled seemingly unsolvable problems with practical solutions, building the case for balancing sustainable solutions with for-profit models, laying out a roadmap for others to follow. Key to both approaches is the premise that specifying sustainable and resilient strategies, including lowered embodied and operational carbon, reduced energy use, and improved air quality, daylight, and a biophilic interior, provide not only a better place to live and work, but also may translate into higher leasing rates, increased occupant satisfaction, better retention, and higher residual value. From design to construction to financing, presenters will share strategies that build the case that sustainability aspirations and developer returns do not have to be mutually exclusive.

The flight to quality in the office sector is real, and it's attracting demand where there has been less of it in recent years. Owners and developers have an opportunity to capture demand through major renovations and redevelopment—not just ground-up development—and the result can be a much better environmental footprint. Architects and developers will share strategies used to successfully renovate and redevelop major office buildings in central business districts, navigating construction pitfalls unique to existing buildings, and the corresponding sustainability considerations and benefits. A global sustainability expert from CBRE will share the importance and impact of renovations and redevelopment versus demolition and new construction on global sustainability goals. Rockefeller Group will specifically discuss the $600 million redevelopment of the landmarked Time & Life Building in New York and the $325 million WMATA headquarters redevelopment in Washington, D.C.

As cities grow and prosper, existing, diverse communities often face displacement pressures. While much attention has been paid to residential displacement and the creation of affordable housing, there are fewer examples of anti-displacement and retention strategies for small businesses and the creation of affordable commercial space. Panelists from public, private, and civic organizations from across the country will speak about efforts to create affordable commercial space on retail corridors, in private development projects, and via community-owned real estate—complemented by other important types of support for small businesses, with an emphasis on supporting businesses of color and women-owned businesses. These strategies are important not only for advancing equitable economic development, but for ensuring unique and authentic retail environments that create both social and economic value. The panel will include an overview of national trends and case studies from different cities. This includes the Atlanta Beltline's efforts to support commercial affordability in Atlanta, the Center for Community Wealth Building's efforts to leverage community-owned real estate in Denver, and a private developer's efforts to create affordable commercial space within a new real estate development. The discussion will highlight the roles that the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors can play in creating affordable commercial space.

Fitzsimons Innovation Community is a sprawling 184-acre site at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado—a leading-edge laboratory workspace where innovative health and life sciences companies of all sizes take their research to the next level to cure diseases, save lives, and improve care. Standing on the grounds that once held the Fitzsimons Army Hospital, where soldiers returning from World War I were treated, the Campus Center includes new and redeveloped lab office, residential, retail, and The Benson Hotel and Faculty Club—all connected by dynamic public open spaces. These projects are part of a larger multiphase strategic vision plan led by Tryba in coordination with the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, the City of Aurora, and the University of Colorado that will unite the city’s diverse edges into an integrated urban neighborhood, complete with a diversity of living options, compelling retail and lifestyle amenities, trail networks, and a regional mobility hub.

A neighborhood that has not yet fulfilled its promise, the Golden Triangle is poised to become the vibrant, mixed-use downtown neighborhood it has always aspired to be. Already home to some of Denver’s most important cultural assets and institutions, recent significant real estate transactions, a zoning code rewrite, and the Downtown Denver Partnership–led 5280 Trail are set to transform the landscape with an inundation of food, beverage, and retail opportunities; new public spaces; and improved connections to surrounding neighborhoods.

See one of the most creative adaptive reuse projects in Denver! Pancratia Hall is a four-story, red brick, collegiate gothic style building constructed between 1929 and 1930, originally designed by master architect Harry W.J. Edbrooke for Loretto Heights College. Transformed into a 74-unit affordable multifamily project in one of the most creative adaptive reuse projects in Denver, Pancratia Hall provides affordable housing in southwest Denver. It offers a unique example of how historic buildings can not only be preserved but transformed to address the urgent issues facing real estate development today, where history, design, and function are all preserved to create a one-of-a-kind environment.

Sun Valley, a central neighborhood in the metro Denver region, is home to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. Today, 94 percent of the neighborhood’s housing market is subsidized, with only 5 percent of the homes occupied by their owners. Additionally, over 80 percent of the population is living below the poverty line. Sun Valley residents represent over 33 different cultural backgrounds, speak more than 28 languages, and 25 percent identify as first-generation immigrants, 4 percent as second-generation immigrants, and 20 percent as refugees. In Sun Valley, Denver Housing Authority is poised to create a new model of community transformation with equity, environmental justice, and public health as its driving forces.

In addition to housing developments, the Sun Valley Riverfront Park is a planned 11-acre regional park running the length of the South Platte River. Developed in response to the priority health issues in the neighborhood, the park creates a safe space that celebrates the diversity of the neighborhood, promotes physical activity and healthy eating, provides spaces for mental restoration, and ensures all Sun Valley residents have access to quality open space.

At the heart of downtown Denver, Larimer Square is where historic charm meets the vibrant energy of downtown. Named for pioneering General William Larimer, it was the city’s first block, first commercial district, first designated historic district, and home to its first residence and city hall. Now, preservation and restoration efforts maintain its heritage architecture and streetscape while honoring Denver’s pioneering spirit to set the stage for Larimer Square’s future.

This tour also visits Auraria Campus to learn about its impact on the area. Auraria is home to three institutions: Community College Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. Auraria’s master plan sets a vision for the campus’s physical environment—shaping goals, objectives, and design principles for its future growth and establishing a collaborative project-planning approach to improve campus space and meet its most urgent needs. This plan integrates Auraria into the city, further connecting the campus to downtown Denver through alignment with the 5280 Trail, the redevelopment of the Auraria Parkway, and more.

Located within Denver’s western central business district submarket, one of Denver’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, 1900 Lawrence is a class-A, 30-story office tower designed by Goettsch Partners. With views of the Front Range, Coors Field, and Skyline Park, 1900 Lawrence offers best-in-class amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, multi-use conference space, and a tenant lounge with outdoor terrace access. Easily accessible by car, bike, and foot traffic, 1900 Lawrence provides an example of the best in office space Denver has to offer.

"For the right deal, there is money to be had…what does the right deal look like?" How do you position your deal to be the right one? Hear insights and learn strategies for navigating real estate capital markets today from capital providers. In this session, hear from the largest to the smallest equity investors today. Who are the active investors? What are they looking for? How do they find the right deals? How does the range deal sizes find them? What has worked for them recently? What terms? Refinance? Development? What are they looking for in the future?

The ULI Real Estate Economic Forecast is a semiannual survey of leading industry experts. The latest edition will have been completed just before the Spring Meeting. How do the experts see 27 key economic and real estate indicators moving by the end of 2025, 2026, and 2027? How have forecasts changed from six months earlier? And why? How are tariff realities and uncertainties expected to impact CRE? What signals are the experts watching for in real estate as they look ahead? Where do the experts agree and disagree? Hear a lively debate among leading economists and analysts who participated in the Real Estate Economic Forecast survey as they explain or defend their opinions. Ask questions or challenge their views about what's ahead for the real estate industry through the end of 2025 and all the way through 2027

In today's challenging real estate market, developers are confronted with rising costs across various aspects of project development, from land acquisition to materials and labor. This panel discussion will delve into strategies employed by developers to navigate these hurdles and deliver profitable multifamily projects, particularly focusing on attainable and affordable housing initiatives. Key topics include adapting to market dynamics (as prices escalate, market-rate developers are embracing affordable housing models, but may face challenges competing with seasoned affordable housing developers); cost-effective design and amenities (successful developers are employing proven design elements and amenities while minimizing unnecessary expenses to ensure profitability); suburban expansion (developers are exploring opportunities on the outskirts and suburbs, branded as attainable housing, to cater to residents priced out of urban cores); strategic site selection (site selection and execution methods play crucial roles in ensuring the feasibility and profitability of projects); and the role of consultants (land development consultants contribute by offering value engineering solutions).

A growing body of research indicates that physical space profoundly impacts our brain health. However, the regenerative capacity of our buildings and public places remains largely untapped. The way we think, feel, learn, and behave are influenced by our context. What if every real estate and capital infrastructure investment was intentional about its regenerative potential for equitable public health, economic development potential, dignity for all, and nature? A mindset shift, from "less bad" to positive outcomes, is required, and brain-healthy cities will help us better leverage the stressed and constrained cognitive power of our citizenry. These efforts have been shared in international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly Science Summit and World Economic Forum, as well as local policy and advocacy events such as the Innovate4Cities conference co-hosted by UN-Habit and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

This conversation will spotlight examples of intentional design from three national experts, including trauma-informed design, urban and community gardens, and art and placemaking. The panel will describe each approach through a series of local case studies spanning affordable housing for Denver's most vulnerable populations; urban and community gardens that reduce barriers to fresh, healthy, and organic food; and public art initiatives that bring people together while giving back to the creative economy. The panel will reflect on the epidemic of loneliness and reference these projects as meaningful examples of "third spaces" for increased community building, health, and well-being in the built environment. The session will begin with a formal Pecha Kucha–style presentation (an engaging storytelling format in which a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide), followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&A.

The Platte River has been, for many decades, the industrial back-of-house for the Denver with the exception of a few publicly accessible points. Now, the river has become the focal point of some of Denver's most ambitious development projects—all dedicated to improving and honoring the river. The session will spotlight projects from large, private sector–led development to complex, public/private partnerships and major public initiatives that will totally change the face of the Platte River and, as a result, the city itself.

This panel is intended to tell the story of the successful redevelopment of downtown Denver's Union Station. Union Station is a great example of the public and private sectors organizing around transit-oriented urban infill and compelling historic preservations. The panelists will be a collection of developers, city officials, transit officials, and design professionals who were instrumental in getting Union Station done.

In the face of a staggering shortfall of 7 million affordable housing units for low- and middle-income families, and with nearly 50 percent of renters now cost burdened, this session brings together architects, urban planners, developers, and designers to explore innovative design solutions aimed at alleviating the affordable housing crisis. The session will discuss strategic approaches for creating flexible, efficient living spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with cost-effectiveness, drawing on successful case studies. Join us as we navigate the intersection of design, technology, and community needs to forge sustainable pathways toward affordable housing solutions.

The race to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment is on, and real estate investors and developers are in the driver's seat. Through smart portfolio planning, integrated design, and targeted procurement decisions, real estate decision-makers are poised to create lasting economic value and reduce environmental impact through their projects. Join the RMI Carbon Free Building team and expert panelists to learn the wide range of levers available to real estate professionals seeking high-value, low-carbon development projects. Using real-world examples, the session will explore how strategies such as increased building utilization, adaptive reuse, material-efficient designs, and innovative material specification can turn a climate challenge into a business advantage.

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made a significant commitment to accelerate the adoption of innovative practices and policies to increase affordable housing. As part of this commitment, Gensler, HR&A Advisors and Brookings were awarded funding to analyze office-to-residential conversion activities across six U.S. cities, test the financial feasibility of these conversions, study policy and incentives, and build an online community guide to allow local policymakers to estimate the impact of potential conversion policies on their community. Join representatives from the analytic team and HUD to discuss the ongoing analysis, share preliminary findings, explore how Gensler and its partners are advising the government on the topic, and – with panelists from cities advancing their own conversion strategies -- debate what must be done to unlock additional housing in the United States. The session will outline the team's approach to the analysis; present the recommended changes to city, state, and federal policy; and provide an update on how one city is advancing its own program through existing policy tools.

Decarbonization, energy efficiency, occupier's wellbeing, and regulatory pressures are not just part of an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework, but key drivers reshaping the real estate landscape. This panel, which will comprise a sustainability advisor, a real estate value and risk expert, a sophisticated corporate occupier, and a real estate landlord, aims to provide insights on how to leverage landlord-tenant engagement to meet joint goals and successfully decarbonize the built environment.

Led by Brookfield Properties (formerly Forest City Stapleton) beginning in 2001, the redevelopment of the former Stapleton Airport site is close to completion. One of the largest urban neighborhood infill projects in the country and one of the highest-ROI neighborhoods in the city of Denver, the site is home to nearly 35,000 residents. See first-hand how the goals outlined in the original sustainability vision plan were manifested—or not—in the final development, and discuss key lessons learned. See how open space and drainage were major economic drivers and community form-givers across the 4,700-acre site. See how parks, greenways, and open space contribute to the unique resilience and sustainability performance of this community. Led by key players on the development and public realm design teams, this tour explores how public/private investment in parks, open space, and green infrastructure lead to higher real estate and community values.

With a spectacular setting at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder boasts even more than meets the eye with outdoor activities, arts and culture, and an active food scene. Recent years have seen thoughtful development in the city and region. Join a walking tour to take in projects Downtown combined with a driving tour of some exciting recent and coming developments. In the walking tour, explore some of Boulder’s newest developments and most highly anticipated project sites, revealing new hospitality and retail in the historic district of the Hill, before heading to the Boulder Civic Area to learn about future development opportunities and the transformative 27-acre park project blending community, culture, and nature along Boulder Creek. The tour continues through iconic Pearl Street and concludes with lunch and a panel discussion at the RIOS office. In the afternoon, a driving tour will showcase Diagonal Plaza, a 324,000-square-foot mixed-use development, and Boulder Junction, a pedestrian-focused, transit-connected district. The day wraps up with a beer reception at Sanitas Brewing.

For more than 60 years, the Downtown Denver Partnership has convened, collaborated, and led a bold vision to build an economically powerful center city. The Partnership believes providing venues for residents, workers, and visitors to gather, relax, and play in the public realm is a key component of fostering a balance between urban life and the outdoors and adding vitality to urban spaces. Over the years, the Partnership has led efforts to make Skyline Park accessible and inviting through activations including the Downtown Denver Ice Rink, the Skyline Beer Garden, Putt-Putt Golf, a dog park, and much more. Now, the Partnership is working alongside Denver Parks & Recreation on the Skyline Park Improvements Project to ensure that the public space serves the need of those who live, work, and play in the center city. Come learn about the future of the park that is at the heart of downtown Denver!

Since 1977, initially as the Solar Energy Research Institute and then elevated to national lab status by George W. Bush in 1991 as the National Renewable Energy Lab, NREL is the premier federal lab that advances the science and engineering of energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and renewable power technologies, and provides the knowledge to integrate and optimize energy systems. The lab’s Building Energy Science team focuses on early-stage research for building energy technologies, including advanced components and efficiency strategies for new buildings and retrofits. Come tour the Energy Systems Integration Facility and learn about NREL’s research on smarter and more-efficient buildings.

Spread across an entire city block, Clara Brown Commons includes an impressive offering of 61 apartments, 17 townhomes, and inviting communal areas for shared experiences. Nestled at the intersection of 37th Avenue and York Street in northeast Denver, the location offers unrivaled proximity to essential amenities, convenient transit options, reputable schools, and a plethora of engaging activities. Each residence is dedicated to providing enduring affordability for individuals with incomes below the area median income, and an on-site team actively fosters a dynamic community experience, uniting residents, volunteers, and caring neighbors to nurture a lively communal atmosphere day in and day out. Clara Brown Commons offers a comprehensive approach to affordable housing.

Located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood and inspired by the legendary musician Charles Burrell, The Burrell offers luxury living at an affordable price. The Burrell offers 49 permanently affordable condos for one-, two-, and three-bedroom units in the heart of a vibrant Denver neighborhood with a rich cultural history unlike any other in the city. Known as the “Harlem of the West,” the Five Points neighborhood is a cultural hub with a rich and diverse history, with roots deeply intertwined with the African American community and the golden age of jazz. As a center for artistic expression, creativity, and resilience, the neighborhood’s history is reflected in The Burrel.

Join WLI Americas for a fireside chat with ULI Global Chair and Gensler's Co-CEO, Diane Hoskins, and Emma West, WLI Americas Chair and Partner at Bousfields, Inc. Diane, a global powerhouse in the industry, will discusses early influences in architecture, strategies behind transformational growth, leading with purpose, her deep admiration for women leaning in, and her commitment to positively impacting the world through design.

Since World War II, suburban office parks in North America have been hubs of innovation and were seen as highly sought-after employment centers. However, employment trends that began in the 1990s hit an inflection point during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant changes in employee/employer density in areas designed solely for employment uses. Once-respected office developments are now seen as liabilities, limiting communities' abilities to provide jobs and maintain public services. The decline in office occupancy is now becoming evident as leases expire, and few employers are stepping in to fill the gaps. Centennial, Colorado, located in the Denver metro area (population 106,883), removed regulatory hurdles by approving zoning amendments supported by real estate stakeholders. The amendments allow mixed-use and residential developments by right in former office park zones, providing new opportunities for now underused areas. This panel will discuss the challenges faced by both government and business, the community concerns that arose, and best practices incorporated into the zoning rewrite, aiming to create a more vibrant mix of employment and housing.