2025 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Winners Series: Adaptive Reuse

When

2025-09-17
2025-09-17T13:00:00 - 2025-09-17T14:00:00
America/New_York

Choose Your Calendar

    Where

    ZOOM

    Pricing

    Pricing Members Non-Members
    Private FREE $55.00
    Public/Academic/Nonprofit FREE $55.00
    Retired FREE N/A
    Student FREE $25.00
    Under Age 35 FREE $35.00

    As the real estate industry navigates shifting economic conditions and evolving community needs, the importance of recognizing projects that exemplify innovation, resilience, and impact has never been greater. Since 1979, ULI’s Americas Awards for Excellence program has honored outstanding development across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.  

    Join us for part 1 of a four-part webinar series spotlighting the 2025 winners. This session, moderated by Jackie Knight, President of the Ackerberg Group and ULI AAE 2025 jury chair, features a panel of developers and designers representing exemplary Adaptive Reuse projects: Crook’s Horner LoftsDayton Arcade, and Pearl House.  

    Through compelling case studies and candid discussion, panelists will share lessons learned, design and development insights, and the collaborative strategies that brought these award-winning projects to life.    

    Who Should Attend: This webinar is for ULI members and non-members who seek inspiration and insights into transformative developments across sectors. 
     

    What to Expect

    • Presentations from each winning project
    • Moderated discussion
    • Live Q/A and discussion with the audience  

    Call to ActionRegister now for this exclusive ULI Americas for Excellence Winners Series webinar and gain insights into the strategies behind the exceptional projects that are shaping the future of commercial real estate. 

    We invite you to join us on the other webinars featured in this series:  

    Speakers

    Moderator

    Jackie Knight

    President, The Ackerberg Group

    As the President of Ackerberg, I am responsible for all company and portfolio operations and play an integral role in creating value for our investors. Ackerberg focuses on best-in-class service and design in commercial real estate and investment management; developing, managing, and leasing properties that our tenants, our communities, and our investors can be proud of. I am also active in my community, serving a number of groups and organizations locally and nationally. Professional Designations & Continual Learning CCIM (CCIM) CDP (ICSC) CPM (IREM) CRX (ICSC) - One of only two women in Minnesota who earned/held this designation in 2017 Professional Affiliations, Board & Community Engagement Minneapolis Chamber –Leadership Twin Cities (2021 - 2022 Cohort) Urban Land Institute – Active Board Member – served on Minnesota DEI Working Group (2021),currently serves on MN REDI Steering Committee, America’s NEXT (National) Steering Committee, and National Urban Revitalization Council. Building Healthy Places Initiative (2023 Cohort) United States Green Building Council MN - Active Board Member. Serves on Midwest LEED Advancement Working Group (2022) and served on Impact Conference Session Committee (2020). Minnesota Cycling Association – Founding Board Member (2012 – present) CCIM – Active Member ICSC – Active Member IREM – Currently serving on National Governing Council and ESG Advisory Council. Served on Diversity Advisory and Student & Academic Advisory Boards. Selected as one of 10 Diversity & Inclusion Succession Initiative leaders nationally for IREM (2020). Lake Street Council (LSC) – Currently serves as Past President and leads initiatives including We Love Lake Street and Healthy Lake Street. Serves on various regional, state and local Grant Committees associated with LSC. Served as Treasurer (2011 – 2018), then Vice President (2018-2020) and President (2020-2023) during the uprising in Minneapolis. Minnesota Sustainable Growth Coalition – Active Member MNCREW – Active Member MSCA – Active Member. Served on Newsletter Committee (2019-2023) NAIOP – Active Member. Chair of National Entrepreneurial Investment & Development Forum Uptown Association - Active Member Uptown Special Service District – Appointed Board Member by City of Minneapolis Personal and Company Awards & Recognition Twin Cities Business “100 Newsmakers to Watch” (2024) Minnesota Real Estate Journal “Woman of the Year – Development & Construction” (2022) Twin Cities Business “Notable Women in Real Estate” (2022) Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Owner of the Year (2021) – Company Owner Recognition Globe St. “Women of Influence: Humanitarian” (2021) Finance & Commerce “Top Women in Finance: Circle of Excellence” (2020) Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Best Covid Plan (2020) - Company Recognition Minnesota Real Estate Journal, Developer of the Year (2019) - Company Recognition Lake Street Council Community Impact Award (2018) - Company Recognition Minneapolis Business Journal “40 under 40” (2017) Twin Cities Business Community Impact Award (2016) - Company Recognition Minnesota Business Ethics Award (2016) Finance & Commerce “Top Women in Finance” (2015) Minneapolis Business Journal “Top Women in Business” (2013)

    Panelist

    Tom Gamper

    Project Architect, Senior Associate, SM+P Architects

    Tom Gamper leads SM+P Architects’ residential design studio, serving as advisor and mentor to the professional staff. He received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Colorado, Denver and his B.A. in Art History from Bowdoin College. He has completed dozens of large-scale residential design projects at SM+P Architects, including new work, renovations and additions in most of Baltimore’s historic districts. He has also offered design assistance to the Neighborhood Design Center for over 30 years and is currently the Rehab Specialist on behalf of SM+P Architects for Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. An avid fly-fisher, he has been a past member of the Governor’s Commission on Maryland State Parks and currently sits on the Board of the Maryland Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

    Panelist

    Alan Bell

    Principal, Bell Urban LLC

    Alan Bell has been a developer of market rate and affordable workforce housing for over 40 years completing 52 developments, mostly ground-up, containing 7,000 new housing units at a total development cost of over $2 billion. He has been developing or financing new housing for over 50 years and has been an active principal developing properties for his own account since 1986. His career has been marked by an ability to identify new emerging neighborhoods in NYC. At one point he developed what was then the tallest residential building in Brooklyn. On such development has been Riverwalk, a multi-phase development of 9 buildings with 2,000 units recently completed on NYC’s Roosevelt Island. He has brought that same focus to his latest development in Baltimore, the Crook Horner Lofts. Alan received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, Columbia University (1973) and a Master's Degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1977).

    Panelist

    Robert Fuller

    Gensler

    With a background in architectural design, as well as city and regional planning, Robert leads a studio in Gensler’s New York office that specializes in large, complex projects that include planning and urban design, new buildings, building repositioning, office-to-residential conversions, and mixed-use developments. His thoughtful, holistic approach comes from a keen understanding of both macro- and micro-level issues and perspectives. Whether imagining a new greenfield development, a building repositioning, a town’s master plan, or adapting an older building for new uses, Robert guides his clients toward informed and creative solutions, making him a trusted advisor to developers and corporate clients alike. A registered architect, Robert earned his Bachelor's of Architecture from the Pratt Institute.

    Panelist

    David Abramczyk

    Senior Designer, Sandvick Architects

    Dave Abramczyk, Senior Project Manager at Sandvick Architects, brings a depth of experience a passion for adaptive reuse to every project he undertakes. As a key member of the firm’s architecture team, he contributes to Sandvick’s mission of revitalizing downtowns and urban neighborhoods by reimagining underutilized buildings and integrating preservation with contemporary design. With a collaborative role in projects such as the Dayton Arcade redevelopment, Dave works closely with multidisciplinary teams to lead solutions that honor historic character while meeting modern needs. His work supports Sandvick’s distinctive approach—blending code compliance, preservation expertise, and a creative vision—to renew and invigorate community vitality and viability.

    Panelist

    David Williams

    Senior Development Director, Cross Street Partners

    As Vice President of Development for Cross Street Partners, David manages the Dayton Arcade adaptive reuse and historic preservation project in Dayton Ohio. He oversees the design, construction, leasing, and financing for the project. He also serves as Board Chair for Heritage Ohio, a statewide non-profit focused on Historic Preservation and the Main Street program. Prior to joining Cross Street Partners, Dave was vice president of Urban Development at Miller-Valentine Group. Dave also served as director of Downtown Housing for CityWide Development, a CDFI and quasi financial arm of the City of Dayton, charged with spurring the development of Downtown Housing throughout the Greater Downtown Dayton Area. Adaptive reuse to infill and everything in between, David set the stage for the development community to be able to quickly understand the marketplace and bring new units to market. As Director, he assisted in the assembly of development opportunities, provided direction on funding tools, all while helping troubleshoot project challenges. David has over 30 years of experience in the construction and real estate development industry. Degreed construction manager, he is skilled in conceptual and project estimating, and project management. Licensed in commercial real estate and a LEED-AP he can help with innovative and creative ways of accomplishing most redevelopment projects. Project experience encompasses office, retail, healthcare, multi-family, adaptive reuse, historic preservation and food service. He has collaborated, created and administered architectural and development standards for, mixed-use developments, TIF Districts and New Community Authorities.

    Panelist

    Joey Chilelli

    Principal, Vanbarton Group

    Mr. Chilelli is a Principal of Vanbarton Group, where he oversees the development and asset management of office, multi-family and mixed-use assets. He currently leads the firm’s office-to-residential conversion program. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Joey was as a Senior Associate at East River Partners, a multifamily-focused real estate private equity company, where he oversaw acquisitions and asset management of a multi-state multifamily portfolio. He also was a Director of Project Management at Sugar Hill Capital Partners, a multifamily-focused real estate private equity company, where he oversaw the redevelopment of multi-family and condominium assets in New York City. Mr. Chilelli earned his B.A. from Northern Kentucky University, an M.B.A in Finance from Xavier University and an M.S.R.E.D. from Columbia University.