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The Urban Land Institute Expands into Savannah, GA
Preeminent real estate nonprofit solidifies presence on Georgia’s coast with new satellite
January 24, 2025
Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Lance Morsell & Austin Combs, ULI Atlanta
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta hosted its highly anticipated Emerging Trends in Real Estate event on January 16th which offered forward-looking insights and anecdotes on the real estate and economic shifts shaping 2025. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals eager to gain insights into the forces influencing the built environment and the evolving market conditions specific to the Atlanta region.
It is noteworthy that Atlanta ranks as the seventh top market to watch in 2025, indicating its significance in the national real estate landscape. The city and state continue to benefit from larger-scale geographic shifts as a desirable place to live. The state’s relative affordability, job growth, and diversified economy make it a magnet for new residents and businesses alike, and it is routinely cited as the number one state to do business. Beyond Atlanta, coastal Georgia is experiencing explosive growth in the seaport with the Georgia Port – the largest container terminal in North America – and the Hyundai Mega Plant. Rising tides lift all boats, and both the city and state’s development outlook remained strong. Some headwinds of note:
Every year, Emerging Trends in Real Estate® highlights at least one or two topics that our industry and city aren’t discussing enough—but should be. In more recent years, the focus has shifted from effects of the pandemic on the real estate industry at large to how each property type is innovating in a post-pandemic world.
In the 2025 report, key themes include the growing impact of climate risks on housing and infrastructure, the rising importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors in investment decisions, and the increasing demand for prop-tech to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The report emphasizes a continued flight to quality in office spaces, challenges in refinancing for commercial properties, and persistent struggles with housing affordability, exacerbated by rising construction costs and climate-related disasters. Innovative solutions, such as integrating affordable housing with commercial developments, signal the industry’s adaptive strategies to address these challenges. The report underscores the need for resilience, forward-thinking investments, and collaboration across stakeholders to navigate an era of uncertainty and opportunity.
Uncertainties aside, the panel discussion and Dr. Mary Ludgin’s keynote generally painted a picture of optimism and left an overarching impression that Atlanta’s markets and those beyond are shaping up to be “alive in ‘25,” and the event once again proved to be a critical touch-point for professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world. For those who missed this year’s event, keep an eye out for more programming from ULI Atlanta—it’s where conversations shaping the future of real estate happen.
Dr. Mary Ludgin of Heitman delivering her keynote address on the national outlook for the industry in 2025.
Photo By Chloe Ravina
Our local panelist discussion following the keynote. From left to right: Keith Mack, Arun Singh, Josh Fenn, Liz York, April Stammel, and Malloy Peterson.
Photo By Chloe Ravina
Attendees Ade Sanusi, Jr. and Hunter Goldberg enjoy the vibes and views from Bank of America Plaza’s top floor at the cocktail reception following the event.
Photo By Chloe Ravina
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Dr. Mary Ludgin of Heitman delivering her keynote address on the national outlook for the industry in 2025.
Photo By Chloe Ravina
Our local panelist discussion following the keynote. From left to right: Keith Mack, Arun Singh, Josh Fenn, Liz York, April Stammel, and Malloy Peterson.
Photo By Chloe Ravina
Attendees Ade Sanusi, Jr. and Hunter Goldberg enjoy the vibes and views from Bank of America Plaza’s top floor at the cocktail reception following the event.
Photo By Chloe Ravina