Reflections from the 2025 ULI Spring Meeting in Denver

Written by: Jessica Moeslein

This year, I had the pleasure of attending the ULI Spring Meeting right here in Denver—a city I’m proud to call home and one that continues to serve as a dynamic backdrop for innovation in urban development, housing, and historic preservation.

My experience kicked off with one of my favorite events of the week: a behind-the-scenes tour titled The Past, Present, and Future of Transportation and Hospitality at Denver’s Union Station. As both a hospitality architect and historic preservation advocate, this was a dream tour. Stepping into the beautifully restored Crawford Hotel was a special highlight. I was captivated by the thoughtful design details—like the light fixtures inspired by Dana Crawford’s signature pearl earrings, and the bedside alarm clocks that play preloaded bedtime stories about the hotel and Denver’s rich history. It was a poignant reminder that architecture isn’t just about design—it’s about storytelling.

Equally inspiring was learning about the public-private partnerships that helped bring Union Station back to life. Seeing how a National Landmark was reimagined through collaboration, preservation, and creative development left me feeling energized and hopeful for the potential of future projects.

Throughout the conference, I had the chance to sit in on a wide range of seminars. A few that really stood out to me were The U.S. State of the Hotel Industry, ULI Forum for Young Leaders, and Brain-Healthy, Climate-Positive Cities. Each session provided insight into the evolving landscape of development and wellness-centered design—reminding me of the importance of being both forward-thinking and community-minded in our work.

On day two, I joined the session Sun Valley: Modeling Community, Equity, and Well-Being in Affordable Housing, and was deeply moved by the transformation of this once-isolated neighborhood. Sun Valley is now a thriving, sustainable community with essential amenities—from a local market to schools and services—all thoughtfully integrated into each development. The project is an inspiring example of what’s possible when vision meets action. With support from the $30 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Implementation Grant awarded to the Denver Housing Authority (DHA), Sun Valley has become a model of equitable development powered by collaboration across private developers, public entities, and local organizations.

My biggest takeaway from the ULI Spring Meeting? There’s always room to learn, space to grow, and platforms to be inspired. Events like this reinforce the importance of showing up—to continue sharpening our skills as designers, urban thinkers, and community leaders. I walked away feeling recharged, full of ideas, and excited for what’s ahead.