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 government is a huge holder of both land and real estate. In some jurisdictions, the potential market value of land can exceed the total gross domestic product of that jurisdiction. This session will explore the potential of using government-owned land to attract private investors in fiscally constrained environments. The discussion will focus on two archetypes of sectors: revenue-driven sectors and cost-driven sectors. Revenue-driven sectors include real estate subsectors, such as residential, commercial, and hospitality. These sectors rely on land as a primary revenue driver, where the ultimate product is the use of real estate space. Cost-driven sectors include industries such as manufacturing, which require land for hosting production facilities, and service sectors such as banks, which use office space to deliver services. Each archetype represents unique opportunities for leveraging land as a currency to stimulate private investments. Panelists will share insights on effective strategies and examine the role of government-owned land in facilitating private investments in these sectors, highlighting the potential for economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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 panelist from the World Economic Forum or other global organization 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.

Law firms play a crucial role in the production and preservation of affordable housing by structuring deals, securing financing, and navigating complex policy regulations. Yet, their insights are often overlooked. This panel will feature real estate attorneys driving change for their affordable housing development partners. During this panel discussion, speakers will explore legal reforms facilitating innovative financing, new development, and rehabilitation projects. Attendees will gain insights into how these changes can streamline processes, eliminate barriers, and foster innovative partnerships. Whether you're a developer, advocate, or policymaker, this session will provide essential knowledge to navigate the evolving legal framework and enhance your affordable housing initiatives.

While Denver is the focus of the national story of large growth and change in Colorado and the west, major projects are happening all along Colorado's front range—the urban corridor along the eastern face of the Rocky Mountains. This session will spotlight important projects all along this urban stretch, including Colorado Springs, Aurora, Golden, and Denver. The session will show how significant new developments are fitting into their communities and reflecting the unique locations in different cities up and down the range.

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.

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).

In Fall 2020, Madison Development Corporation, along with the United Way and local Madison area Employers -financial institutions, health care systems & foundations, launched a Fund to fill gaps in affordable workforce housing projects in WI. The Dane Workforce Housing Fund (DWHF) raised over $11 million and helped create 747 new units, with a subsequent Fund II raising $13 million which has 230 units under construction. The Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund (AAHF), launched in early 2020, raised $15 million from local real estate leaders, which helped create over 800 affordable homes. The AAHF is now housed at the Community Foundation, which helped them attract an additional $150 million from diverse investors - financial institutions, foundations and individuals, to help create more affordable housing projects in Atlanta's core counties. This session will cover the Fund structures, the impact on their regions, and why investors stepped up.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 was 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. Now, Gensler is putting together a panel of experts—directly involved with HUD—to discuss the ongoing analysis, share preliminary findings, explore how Gensler and its partners are advising the government on the topic, and debate what must be done to unlock additional affordable housing in the United States. The session will outline the team's approach to the analysis; highlight the initial findings in one of the six identified cities; present the recommended changes to city, state, and federal policy; and provide an update on how HUD and one of the key cities is going to adopt the policy.

A recent Harvard study shows that millennials are now returning to the suburbs, and gen Z plans to stay there. This is due to several emerging trends, but a major factor is the rising cost of rent and homeownership in major cities, which makes it difficult for gen Z to afford living in prime downtown locations. As urban costs rise and younger generations seek affordable alternatives to city living, the suburbs are evolving to meet this demand by adopting compact, mixed-use developments that mirror urban downtowns. This session will explore the recent trend of suburban reinvention, where developers, corporate tenants, and investors are seizing opportunities to build new, walkable town centers complete with retail, office, and residential spaces. Drawing on case studies from across the country, the panel will highlight how this shift presents both financial and social opportunities while reshaping the suburban landscape.

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.

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.

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.

The panelists will discuss the plans for the next phase of development in downtown Denver. The focus will be on public plans and interventions to spur private activity.

Recent estimates indicate that there are roughly 100 million parking spaces lining the curbs in American cities. These spaces are traditionally allocated based on the immediate needs of adjacent buildings: general parking in front of residential, meters in front of shops, loading zones near supermarkets and warehouses. Today, with increased demand for online delivery, rideshare pickup and drop-off, outdoor dining, and electric vehicle charging stations, curbsides have become increasingly valuable commodities for a broad variety of stakeholders. Recognizing this shift, North American cities such as Boulder, Boston, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis have looked at flexible systems that can quickly respond to the ever-changing needs of the street, even in a single day or hour. These data-centered, tech-enabled, "smart" curbside management approaches have shown the potential to reduce congestion, enhance public safety, and encourage greener modes of travel, all while potentially increasing city revenue. This panel discussion seeks to convene public and private sector thought leaders to envision the future of curbside management.