Urban Villages

After nearly a decade in the making, Populus is now open. We created Populus to be a catalyst for change – an innovative way for our industry to address the urgency of climate change, while allowing us to connect more deeply with nature and each other. Today, Populus opens its doors, marking a new chapter for this visionary project that puts our unwavering commitment to sustainable hospitality at the forefront of conversation. Unlike anything Denver has ever seen, Populus welcomes guests with skyline-defining architecture by Studio Gang, immersive interiors and art, and inspired culinary delights at Pasque and Stellar Jay. And, we’re planting a tree for every night’s stay – helping to better our planet in a tangible way. It has taken a dedicated, passionate, and innovate village to get here. We couldn’t be prouder of our team and our partners for bringing this vision to life. Welcome to Populus – we hope to see you there! #UrbanVillages 📷: Jason O'Rear 📷: Yoshihiro Makino

Meet Rod Lapasin, the new Managing Director and General Manager of Hotel Westland, opening spring 2025 at RailSpur, our adaptive reuse micro-district in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. ✨ Rod is a fifth-generation Seattleite and a seasoned luxury hospitality executive with over 35 years of experience. He has held senior leadership roles at renowned hotels like Four Seasons, Fairmont, and Salish Lodge. In addition to overseeing daily operations and elevating the guest experience at Hotel Westland, he will also serve as Managing Director of RailSpur, helping us transform this corner of Seattle's Pioneer Square into a vibrant social hub. We’re thrilled to have Rod on board as we write the next chapter for RailSpur and Hotel Westland! #UrbanVillages

Our vision to renovate the historic Great Western Sugar Company and develop two new projects in the Sugar Block was a long-term investment. After refurbishing the historic Sugar Building, we constructed the SugarCube, a 10-story mixed-use building with office space, retail, and 37 luxury residences. Then, we directed and oversaw development of the third project, SugarSquare, the cornerstone of our Sugar Block development and the smallest building ever to receive the Mayor's Design of the Year award. Revitalizing downtown Denver's historic structures and ensuring place-making efforts are thriving in urban environments have led to beloved tenants such as Illegal Petes, Eat'Ya Pizza, and Little Owl Coffee finding their home at the Sugar Block. #UrbanVillages

President Jon Buerge will be a part of the ESG & Sustainability in Real Estate Summit 2024, next month! He'll be connecting with fellow industry leaders and diving into the future of sustainable real estate. Don't miss out, join the conversation while there's still time: https://ter.li/e1mha3

Historically a haven for artists and creatives, our adaptive reuse project, RailSpur, brought community and art together at the debut of Hotel Westland's stunning art exhibit during the Seattle Art Fair last month. Curated by ARTXIV, this debut showcased over 320 pieces of art, inspired by the nature of the PNW and created by over 30 commissioned artists who spent the past three months in RailSpur's 419 Occidental Ave building producing original pieces that will eventually adorn the walls of Hotel Westland, coming to Pioneer Square early next year. The creativity didn't stop there - A neighborhood-wide initiative by Forest For The Trees brought vibrancy and community together in RailSpur's alleys through colorful murals, a permanent yet rotating art activation in the historic alleyways. Art created by, and in, the community it will be showcased in keeps our neighborhood connected in more ways than one. #UrbanVillages 📷: zofotography

A holistic investor in communities. We're village builders with a forward-looking view on creating timeless, sustainable places that people deeply connect with. Motivated by longevity over transactions and places over individual projects, our ventures are never limited to a single building, rather, we build for the diverse and evolving opportunities, characteristics, and audiences within each unique location to meet adapting needs and lifestyles. People are what it's all about - they are at the core of our villages and our long-lasting community approach. #UrbanVillages

Sustainability is in our roots. 🌲 We're thrilled to see Populus featured Forbes, highlighting the hotel's One Night, One Tree program. For every night’s stay, a tree will be planted in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, contributing up to 20,000 trees in Colorado this year. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to offset the hotel’s carbon footprint through regenerative practices, 100% renewable electricity, and turning food waste into compost for local farmers. By integrating sustainability into every aspect of Populus, we’re not only enhancing the guest experience but also making a meaningful impact on the environment. Urban Villages president Jon Buerge says it best, "Populus represents a new model for environmentally forward hospitality. We considered sustainability at every stage of the hotel’s development from its nature inspired design and construction practices to its operations and substantial offsite ecological initiatives. Our One Night, One Tree program invites guests to play a tangible role in this effort by planting trees in our own backyard with each stay." Read the full article here: https://heyor.ca/wMYoSB. #UrbanVillages

It seems like just yesterday that we broke ground on Hotel Westland last July! The greenest building is one you don’t have to build from the ground up. Through adaptive reuse, we’ve modernized this 1907 construction in Seattle’s Pioneer Square and are well on our way to transforming it into the second carbon positive hotel in the country, set to open in spring 2025! The boutique hotel will feature 120 modern guest rooms and amenities while maintaining its historic character, Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar, and a signature restaurant, all fueled by an authentic connection to the community and history. #UrbanVillages 📷: Sam Horine

As urban developers, we advocate for placemaking as a transformative approach. This involves creating spaces that not only serve functional or aesthetic purposes but also foster community engagement and contribute positively to the local economy and culture. For example, in projects like Sugar Block, we carefully select a mix of tenants—restaurants, shops, and services—that align with the local community's needs, creating a vibrant hub that residents are drawn to. One of the three Sugar Block constructions is SugarCube (pictured here), which transformed an underutilized parking lot into a dynamic, mixed-use building that utilizes solar energy and was awarded the City of Denver's Design of the Year. It integrates upscale residential units, offices, and retail spaces, attracting both visitors and locals, thus driving economic activity and bolstering community interactions. #UrbanVillages

We take our role as stewards of this planet seriously. From selecting materials with minimal carbon footprints to incorporating biophilic designs that maximize natural daylight, we ensure our buildings are both environmentally friendly and beautiful. Below are six ways you can help conserve: ➡️ Plant trees in your community. ➡️ Participate in a neighborhood cleanup. ➡️ Share information to educate others about the importance of conservation. ➡️ Donate to reputable organizations that protect wildlife, forests, and other critical habitats. ➡️ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. ➡️ Be mindful of your water usage. #UrbanVillages