Open to All Attendees
Tours
Sold Out
Thu 06 Mar
9:30 AM — 11:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
The Navy Yard Charleston: Honoring the Past, Navigating the Future
The Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment project is an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming a historic naval shipyard into a vibrant mixed-use community. This project is not just about revitalizing a physical space; it represents an opportunity to breathe new life into the area, making it accessible and relevant for future generations. You may recall that the Navy Yard was the subject of the 2023 ULI Hines Student Competition. Bus Tour.
Join ULI Carolinas to hear about the opportunities and impacts of the Navy Yard. With a master plan that includes approximately 2,750 multifamily units and 525,000 square feet of commercial space, Navy Yard aims to knit together various communities within North Charleston. Strategically located near Downtown Charleston and the airport, the Navy Yard Charleston is poised to become a key player in the region’s growth.
The development team behind Navy Yard Charleston— comprised of Jamestown L.P., WECCO, and Weaver Capital Partners—brings extensive experience in crafting pedestrian-oriented urban centers. Their commitment to community engagement is evident through their local office and presence and deep-rooted connections within North Charleston. We’ll hear from members of the development team, Navy Yard’s Head of Development, Ned Miller, and Director of Special Projects, Steve Dudash, and visit recently redeveloped historic naval buildings, and waterfront public spaces, and learn about the vision for a future forward community, where history meets innovation, creating a vibrant community that celebrates its past while looking forward to new possibilities.
Tours
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Thu 06 Mar
12:15 PM — 2:15 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
The Intersection of Resiliency & Livability: A Walking Tour of Colonial Lake & The Jasper
Come explore this historical, urban green space that has experienced devastating impacts of climate change. Learn how this stunning, beloved park is becoming more resilient, playing a big role in the City’s flood mitigation, while anchoring a historical and coastal neighborhood with active and restive recreation. The park is undergoing extensive renovation to serve both a historical and emerging urban neighborhood, with continued adaptation of the horticulture for resilience, and a focus on flood mitigation and tidal infrastructure. We'll also have the opportunity to visit the neighboring The Jasper, the focus of a 2019 Carolinas Crane Watch. We'll hear from members of the development team about the redevelopment of the Beach Company's first mixed-use development on the peninsula, which included some challenges, and inevitably the opportunity to create a modern, mixed-use luxury community in Charleston historic district. Walking Tour. Please enjoy lunch prior to the tour.
This session is supported by a grant from the Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate.
Tours
Sold Out
Thu 06 Mar
12:15 PM — 2:15 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
BL Harbert's Project Office, Tour
On the Waterfront: A Tour of The Cooper Hotel
Join ULI Carolinas for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of The Cooper Hotel. Named for the river forever in its gaze, The Cooper is the only luxury waterfront hotel in the vibrant heart of the Charleston peninsula. The six-story riverside hotel is the first extraordinary step in the reimagining of Charleston’s storied waterfront. A modern yet timeless expression of authentic Charleston, The Cooper connects guests, residents, visitors, and the world to its vibrant downtown and dynamic waterfront. Fresh, airy, sun-drenched guest rooms and suites, a wellness spa, infinity pool, even venues, five creative culinary destinations, boutique shops, green spaces, and the hotel’s own marina create a legendary waterfront destination centered around nature and wellbeing. This is an active construction site so we ask that all tour participants wear full PPE; close-toed shoes, covered legs and shoulders, vests and hardhats. We ask those having their own PPE to please bring, a limited number of vests and hard hats will be provided. Participants will be asked to sign BLHI’s site waiver prior to entering the jobsite. Walking Tour. Please enjoy lunch prior to the tour.
Thu 06 Mar
2:00 PM — 3:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Pre-Function Grand Ballroom
Welcome Reception
Join us as we kick off the Carolinas Meeting with a warm welcome reception! Whether you're just checking in or gearing up for the opening session, take this opportunity to grab a snack, enjoy a cup of coffee, and connect with fellow attendees. This casual meet-and-greet sets the tone for the engaging discussions and networking ahead. Let’s come together and start building meaningful connections for an impactful event.
Thu 06 Mar
3:00 PM — 4:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Grand Ballroom
Charleston is facing a crisis of success. What is there to do about that?
Charleston is widely viewed as a desirable destination and has enjoyed years of unprecedented economic growth. This is evidenced by migration to the South generally and the Lowcountry. Charleston and the region consist of a uniquely historic urban core, coastal ecosystem, high employment, and an agreeable climate. But this success has been accompanied by extensive growth, unmet climatic and environmental challenges that regional leadership and the development community have been slow to focus on solution-based approaches.
How can a region of three major municipalities, three distinct regions with competing priorities, find common ground to embrace methodologies that champion healthy and sustainable communities, affordability, equitable growth, and robust-tiered mobility? This effort will require a collaborated and coordinated approach that provides protections of this unique landscape and a shared vision of what the Lowcountry can be. Our opening session will discuss the impacts and challenges facing the region and how developers, planners, community interest groups, governmental entities, and other constituencies can support and be part of a strategy that embraces new holistic approaches.
Thu 06 Mar
4:00 PM — 5:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Grand Ballroom
2050: The Future of Innovative Developments
Join world-leading futurist Nikki Greenberg for a high-energy journey into real estate 2050. Through real-world examples, discover how AI, automation, and evolving work patterns reshape our built environment. Learn actionable strategies to create future-ready developments and capitalize on the transformative decades ahead.
Thu 06 Mar
5:00 PM — 6:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Orchestra Lobby
Networking Reception
Fri 07 Mar
7:30 AM — 8:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Lobby
Continental Breakfast (Open to all attendees)
Fri 07 Mar
8:30 AM — 9:30 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Grand Ballroom
Solving for Infrastructure: Innovative Strategies Shaping Mobility Throughout the Region
Discover how innovation and public-private partnerships (P3s) are reshaping infrastructure development in the region. This program examines the integration of multimodal transportation and placemaking to create vibrant, connected communities. Industry leaders will share strategies for leveraging P3 financing and other tools to position infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, sustainability, and enhanced livability. Gain actionable insights to advance your projects and shape the future of infrastructure development.
Fri 07 Mar
9:45 AM — 10:45 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Grand Ballroom
Decoding Development: Costs, Cap Rates, and Rent Trends
Industry leaders from the industrial, office, retail, and multifamily sectors will provide a comprehensive analysis of the key components of development pro formas—rent, cap rates, and costs.
This panel will delve into the current status of these elements, with a comparison of 2019 levels, current figures, and where trends are heading. The discussion will include how interest rates are influencing costs and cap rates, and how rent trends are affecting cap rates. Additionally, a capital markets expert will offer a high-level forecast of these critical elements, providing valuable insights on factors that will dictate the volume of development across sectors in the coming years.
Fri 07 Mar
11:00 AM — 12:00 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Grand Ballroom
Now Where? Now What?
Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency, intensity, and cost; with coastal and inland communities alike facing new levels of risk that threaten buildings and infrastructure. As public and private sector leaders grapple with the rising risks of a warmer, wetter climate there’s an opportunity to adapt and innovate. Championing resilience alongside affordability and quality of life can preserve asset value and create dynamic communities that thrive long into the future.
This session will explore the environmental threats facing the Southeast today and what real estate needs to prepare for in the years ahead. Expert panelists will examine how to successfully develop in this evolving paradigm, what new planning and land use strategies need to be embraced, and how public and private sector leaders can meet this new challenge together.
Fri 07 Mar
12:15 PM — 1:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time
Charleston Gaillard Center, Lobby & Grand Ballroom
Closing Session & Lunch: Crane Watch
During the closing lunch, this fast-paced program is a great way to learn about innovative and exciting new projects under construction within North and South Carolina.Six developments will present in 6.5 minute sprint per project, sharing mini-case studies about their development including lessons learned, photos, site and floor plans, development timeline, in addition to site, building and financial data.