Topics
Capital Markets and Finance
The city of Baltimore has approximately 13,000 abandoned houses and 20,000 vacant lots that create health, safety, and financial hazards for nearby properties. Although it might seem simple to fix and flip these homes, the math doesn’t easily compute.
In an era when the demand for attainable housing continues to outpace supply, sustainable workforce housing is a necessary and prudent investment decision based on three key market trends. Primarily, the demand for attainable housing is growing. Workforce rental housing is increasingly sought after, particularly given dwindling affordability and growing barriers to home ownership. Last but not least, generational demand contributes to the rise of sustainable multifamily housing.
Commercial real estate loans totaling almost $1.8 trillion are set to mature before the end of 2026, according to Trepp. One sign of the accompanying stress is the commercial mortgage–backed security (CMBS) special servicing rate, with its latest numbers inching up to 8.2 percent, the highest since June 2021.
Design & Planning
How urban planners are turning public places into vibrant centers for living, working, learning, and socializing.
West Main, a 1,030,000-square-foot (95,690 sq m) office, retail, and mixed-use project, is the new home to some of Amazon’s 12,000-person workforce in Bellevue, Washington. The three-building project, designed by Graphite Design Group in collaboration with Compton Design Office for Vulcan Real Estate, is transforming this city neighboring Seattle to the east.
Ten projects showcase clever urban interventions spearheaded by principals under age 50
Development and Construction
Retaining a spiritual identity while serving up a mix of uses to the greater neighborhood
On August 14, ULI New York and the Holcim Foundation hosted a sold-out event on “Decarbonization at Scale,” a topic that has never been more critical for the future of the built environment in North America.
After over two decades of planning, development, and construction, the Residences at Harvard Commons, a mixed-income housing development comprising 45 affordable apartments and 54 market-rate single-family homes, is nearing completion.
Resilience and Sustainability
India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, is urbanizing rapidly. By 2030, more than 40 percent of its populace is projected to live in urban areas, contributing there to more than 70 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. The demand for commercial and residential spaces is surging, which attracts global investors eager to capitalize on this dynamic market. This rapid growth comes with a pressing question, however: can India urbanize without following the carbon-heavy trajectory of other developed countries?
Building on ULI’s impactful work accomplished at the city scale, a neighborhood-focused workshop brought together industry experts from across Europe and from the United States, representing a wide spectrum of the real estate value chain. The aim was to share diverse insights, cross pollinate ideas and develop practical solutions towards decarbonization and for a better collaboration.
As buildings become more efficient and run on “cleaner” energy sources, the industry’s attention will need to include embodied carbon—emissions associated with the manufacturing and transportation of building materials, as well as the construction, maintenance and disposal of buildings.
Issues and Trends
Urban Land recently spoke to Mayor Carolyn Goodman about the revival of downtown Las Vegas and what has made change possible.
Divyabahen grew up in Ramapir No Tekro, an area of Ahmedabad in northwest India. Labeled a “slum,” it sits on land formally owned by the city. After getting married, Divyabahen lived with her husband’s family for a short time before they looked for a place of their own. Unable to afford to rent or buy a home, they built a small house on public land along a creek near Divayabahen’s childhood home. They enjoyed living under the large shade trees, with space around them and extended family nearby.
The former head of the European Commission told ULI real estate leaders that global tensions will continue to shape their day-to-day decisions.
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