During one of my first coffee chats as a grad student, I received a piece of advice that has stuck with me: “Follow your nose and say yes to everything you possibly can.” Since then, one of the most important and valuable opportunities I’ve said yes to was to serve as a student guest at this year’s ULI Placemaking Product Council in Las Vegas. The unique opportunity arose after I had expressed a strong interest in attending the 2025 ULI Spring Meeting, and a fellow student offered to make the necessary introduction.
For two days I was surrounded by industry leaders, strolling through the ever-evolving streets, and learning more about the imaginative work being done throughout the country to breathe life into our cities. With my background in retail real estate management and leasing, placemaking has always been top-of-mind, not just for the way it brings creativity and a sense of identity to the built environment, but also because it makes financial sense for people to feel drawn to the places where they spend their time.
The kickoff was pure Vegas: a fire-breathing praying mantis straight out of the Burning Man Playa. We explored Area 15, a vibrant hub of immersive experiences; we walked through Symphony Park, where careful mixed-use design helped build a lively community from the ground up; and we toured the Arts District, a neighborhood filled with spunk and activity. A quirky pirate-themed bar offered a space where storytelling shaped the environment. An art gallery had our wallets out buying gifts for family and friends. But this wasn’t just about looking at developments; it was about learning how they were financially feasible.
One of my favorite takeaways was the concept of shared amenities as presented to us by developer duo Anna Olin and Weina Zhang of Z Life. By sharing amenities between multifamily housing and hotel projects, they were able to cut down on construction costs and avoid redundant facilities. Additionally, their use of smart design and engineering techniques significantly reduced the time and cost to build, allowing them to target workforce housing while still providing upscale amenities. It inspired me to think differently about how fantastic amenities can be brought into communities that can’t necessarily pay top-dollar rents.
And while walking around Vegas and hearing placemaking success stories was incredibly fun, my stand-out experience was the people on the council. Members were more than generous with their insights, encouragement, and willingness to assist. A few weeks later, thanks to one council member, I was privileged to attend a meeting at the Kennedy Wilson headquarters.
The information and knowledge I gained in Las Vegas was invaluable, but I’m especially grateful to the many ULI members who accepted me as a peer, freely shared their wisdom and energy, and left me brimming with excitement about my own future in real estate.
