ULI Europe publishes new guide on asset-level collaboration to accelerate decarbonization of occupied buildings

In 2022, Philadelphia-based development firm Post Brothers bought two office buildings on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C., with plans to convert them into approximately 530 residential units. Despite the site’s proximity to Dupont Circle and a coveted residential area, assembling a viable capital stack proved more challenging than anticipated. Ultimately, a $465 million Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan from Nuveen Green Capital in December of 2025—billed as the largest ever originated under the program—made the conversion possible.

National Harbor, Maryland, would become the second U.S. location and the first to utilize a smaller-scale venue design model; the project would receive approximately $200 million in state, local, and private incentives.

Engaging artists in real estate development can be tricky, however. Artists and developers often speak different “languages,” but both must be understood and respected, and any gap between them must be bridged. With support from former ULI Global Governing Trustee Michael Spies, ULI’s Art in Place project identified the following best practices for effective artist/developer collaboration by drawing on focus groups, interviews, and other sources.

Whereas new construction offers a blank canvas for future-proof design, the vast majority of our parking inventory consists of existing facilities. Retrofitting these structures for the future presents unique challenges, yet they are far from insurmountable. The key lies in a strategic, phased approach that shrewdly prioritizes the most impactful upgrades, thus ensuring relevance without reinvention.

In the Belgian municipality of Edegem, a 20-minute bike ride from Antwerp’s city center, a camera film roll packing plant has become Minerve, a biodiverse, sustainable mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhood.

Urban Land magazine began in July 1941, as a typewritten “news bulletin” to ULI members “that will come to you from time to time to keep you informed of items which, we believe, will be of interest to you in connection with the Urban Land Institute program.”

Newly constructed libraries serve as “third spaces” and offer connectivity and multimedia in addition to community resources.

As demand has surged, regulators target traditional facilities, with new models emerging to make storage nearly invisible

Now a partner at Lexicon Strategies, Benjamin has spent over two decades at the intersection of land-use policy, infrastructure, large-scale redevelopment, and affordable housing. Her leadership experience includes serving as CEO of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, chairing ULI Atlanta, and working within the mayor’s office.

Home to 7.5 million people and constrained by surrounding mountains and sea, Hong Kong has evolved into one of the world’s most vertically and densely developed cities. These pressures have driven innovative approaches to transit-oriented development, public housing, and open space. The city served as an ideal setting for Cohort 8’s closing forum by offering both inspiration and critical lessons for cities grappling with similar challenges.

ULI spoke with Craig Lewis, placemaking practice group manager at Arcadis, about how prioritizing cognitive engagement in urban design can help create healthier, happier cities that promote connection and community.

McCoy, a pioneering investment banker and widely respected real estate counselor, died on January 25, 2026, at age 88.

Juanita Hardy’s role as a champion of art and culture traces back three decades to her days as an IBM executive. Four years ago, she was recognized as an art advocate and collector by The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Her business acumen and penchant for real estate development led her to the Urban Land Institute a decade ago. As vice chair of its Placemaking Council, she advocates for best practices that aid in creating inclusive, sustainable communities.

Durkin joins ULI from BlackRock senior leadership, where he held the position of global head of real estate research and strategy. His appointment as CEO Europe marks a continuation of the Institute’s mission and momentum, reinforcing its focus on member value, decision-making relevance, and long-term impact across the built environment at a time of significant change for the industry in Europe and globally.