Live, Work, Play: Principles for Effective Mixed-Use Development

Unlocking Urban Potential, Fostering Community Engagement, and Creating Authentic Experiences

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  Sean Campbell

  Sean is CEO & Principal at Formativ, a full-service real estate development and investment firm based in Denver. The firm is focused on in-the-path-of-growth real estate and urban in-fill development projects. Developments that, through the built environment, turn blocks or micro-neighborhoods into sustainable and inclusive communities that thrive in our modern world. With placemaking at the core of these developments, Formativ incorporates complimentary asset types, public spaces, and additive best-in-class amenities to deliver projects where people want to live, work, and play. The firm specializes in Mixed-Use, Master-Planned, Multifamily, Creative Office, and Hospitality asset categories. By developing thriving communities and properties, Formativ delivers superior, risk-adjusted returns for its partners and investors. Sean is a real estate developer, community builder and former Wall Street executive with a strong background in finance, real estate, and business development. Sean founded Formativ with the vision to establish a real estate firm that was centered around transformative urban projects that grow communities and businesses. He is involved in the full lifecycle of FORMATIV’s developments leading the visioning, investment and execution of our projects. Prior to founding Formativ, Sean was co-founder and developer of INDUSTRY, Colorado’s foremost creative office concept. Before becoming a leader within real estate development community, Sean spent over a decade in NYC’s financial sector in fixed income trading and investment banking. Sean is a leader in Denver’s business and non-profit community serving on the Boards of Metro EDC, The Denver Zoo, The Other Side Academy and 10.10.10.. Sean is originally from Washington D.C. and attended the University of Maryland.

  FORMATIV

  CEO

  Sean Campbell

  CEO

  FORMATIV

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  Jason Altberger

  The embodiment of our mantra “think like an owner, act like a partner,” Jason spearheads the strategic direction of our investments and financial systems, guiding our teams in decision-making that not only supports Sage’s goals, but meets and exceeds the goals of our partners. A strategic and thoughtful leader, Jason oversees all financial actions for the entire organization and leads our continued growth in the real estate investment market, targeting urban lifestyle hotels and developments nationwide that align with our vision. Jason was instrumental in supporting our company as we navigated the incredible challenges of the pandemic and continues to confidently guide us through recovery. Jason lives in Denver with his wife, Cindy, and three children. He enjoys running in his spare time and travels with his wife whenever possible. has been involved in various non-profit causes, including serving for six years on the board of a New Jersey charter school.

  Sage Hospitality

  CFO

  Jason Altberger

  CFO

  Sage Hospitality

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  Darrell Watson

  Council member Darrell Watson represents District 9 on the Denver City Council. He is the vice-chair of the Land Use Transportation and Infrastructure committee, a member of the Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee and the Boards and Commission Committee. He is the vice-chair of the Metro Area County Commissioners. He enjoyed a 30-year career in finance, most of that time working at TIAA. He is the co-founder and principal of the Watson Wenk Group, a catalyst transforming how governmental agencies, for profit businesses, and nonprofits leverage justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) as transformational tools for collaborative engagement in BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) and other untapped communities. Darrell currently sits on the boards of the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative and the Colfax Marathon. He was the founding chair of the Housing Stability Strategic Advisors board, co-creating with community common sense policies to address the housing crisis as well as developing strategies to increase wrap-around services that lead to permanent housing for currently unsheltered residents. As the former co-chair of the Denver Game Plan for a Healthy City, a former chair of the Denver Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and former chair and founding board member of the Denver Park Trust, Darrell has collaborated with community members, Denver Parks and Recreation, and Denver City Council to pass common sense policies that created a dedicated funding source for parks, created a foundation to increase park space and quality parks throughout Denver and created the 30-year strategic plan, Gameplan for a Healthy City, detailing strategies that will lead Denver in reclaiming its ‘City in a Park’ heritage. As the former co-chair of the Denver Biased Policing Task Force, Darrell coordinated with Denver City Council, Denver Mayor’s Office, Denver Police Department, and the wider community to update DPD training when contacting community members and create tactics to reduce instances of biased policing across the city.

  Denver City Council

  Council Member, District 9

  Darrell Watson

  Council Member, District 9

  Denver City Council

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  Parag Vipani

  Parag joined PACE Loan Group in 2023 as Vice President, where he is responsible for originating, underwriting, and closing on PLG’s pipeline of transactions. He brings 25 years of experience in capital markets, asset management, valuations, and consulting in the hospitality market, having held various positions in commercial real estate with companies such as K2 Developers and CBRE Hotels. While working for CBRE Hotels, Parag participated in the underwriting of more than $3B of hotel transactions and was involved with $1B in financings. Parag holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Missouri and a Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) from Cornell University.

  PACE Loan Group

  VP

  Parag Vipani

  VP

  PACE Loan Group

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  Tobias Strohe

  As a Partner at JNS Architecture + Interior Design, Tobias Strohe contributes to the firm’s technical and creative direction. Tobias, who has 26 years of professional architecture experience, ensures projects meet JNS’ high standards, collaborating with all partners and teams to create pragmatically beautiful solutions. His expertise spanning the entire spectrum of the architectural industry is balanced with an acute attention to detail. Tobias is also a trained cabinet maker.

  JNS Architecture + Interior Design

  Partner

  Tobias Strohe

  Partner

  JNS Architecture + Interior Design

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  Valerie Bromley

  Valerie Bromley is a seasoned professional well-versed in the complexities of real estate transactions. With a wealth of experience representing both tenants and landlords, she has successfully negotiated intricate commercial, office, and industrial/warehouse leases in various countries. As a partner in the Messner Reeves LLP Real Estate Group, Valerie’s practice revolves around a wide range of real estate matters, from acquisitions and dispositions to land use and development.

  Messner Reeves LLP

  Partner

  Moderator

  Valerie Bromley

  Partner

  Messner Reeves LLP

Denver Hotels: A Blueprint for Success

Elevating Guest Experiences, Leveraging Local Attractions, and Driving Revenue Growth

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  Scott McChesney

  Scott McChesney is a founding Principal of Blackridge Group. Prior to Blackridge, Scott worked for Stonebridge Companies, a national hospitality company, for 10 years. As Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Development. Scott oversaw hotel development, acquisitions, project funding, and new business development totaling over $800 million. Prior to Stonebridge, Mr. McChesney was Vice President of RD Olson Development where he was instrumental in growing the company from its inception in 2001, into Southern California’s 20th largest real estate developer by 2007. Mr. McChesney also worked for The Walt Disney Company for eight years where he was Director of Development & Acquisitions for their Disney Imagineering Division. He also spent one year in Disney’s Corporate Strategic Planning Group. At the Pepsi-Cola Corporation/Yum Brands, he was Senior Manager of Development where he analyzed and approved or disapproved the development of proposed fastfood sites, overseeing approximately $300 million in development capital. Mr. McChesney also has two years of investment banking experience. Scott is a graduate of Penn State University and has an MBA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Southern California.

  BlackRidge Group

  Founding Principal

  Scott McChesney

  Founding Principal

  BlackRidge Group

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  Tom Luersen

  Tom provides executive leadership for CoralTree Hospitality Group and previously was the Chief Operating Officer of the Two Roads Hospitality/Destination Hotels portfolio. A 20-year veteran of Two Roads, Tom held multiple operations titles with the company. He started with Two Roads in 1998 at Sunriver Resort in Oregon where he was Managing Director. He previously held senior resort and hospitality executive positions with The Woodlands Corporation in Texas, where he oversaw the hospitality division including resorts, hotels, corporate conference centers and club operations, along with master planning the 36,000-acre community. Tom also has held various executive and leadership roles with Busch Properties, operating and expanding hospitality, golf, club and condominium developments. After graduating college, where he was managing restaurants in Miami, Tom joined Gaylord Hotels in Nashville, Tenn., and held an executive-level role in management for the original Opryland Hotel. Tom is an active member of the American Hotel & Lodging Resort Resort Committee, the Urban Land Institute and is the founder and board member of The Wonderland Express, a non-profit organization that provides memorable holiday experiences to economically challenged and at-risk families in Central Oregon. He is a two-term past Chairman and Board Member of the Oregon Tourism Commission and the Cascade Culinary Institute. Tom received his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University.

  CoralTree Hospitality

  President

  Tom Luersen

  President

  CoralTree Hospitality

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  Leon Hurley

  Leon Hurley is a Licensed Architect and recently partnered in the forming of development and consulting firm Cypress 16 in 2018, where he has recently developed a Marriott Residence Inn in Steamboat Springs, CO and is currently developing a Kimpton Hotel at Belleview Station in Denver, CO. Leon spent the previous 10 years as the Senior Vice President of Development at Miller Global Properties where he lead design and construction on such projects as the JW Marriott San Antonio Resort and Spa; Embassy Suites Springfield, VA; Residence Inn Bellevue, WA; Residence Inn Alexandria, VA; and Arrow Electronics Headquarters Denver, CO. Prior to that Leon was founder and principal of Rhadius Architects in Denver, CO where he focused on Multi-Family Residential, Mixed-Use, Industrial, and Recreational projects.

  Cypress 16

  Managing Partner - Development and Consulting

  Developing 194 Key Kimpton Claret Hotel in DTC

  Leon Hurley

  Managing Partner - Development and Consulting

  Cypress 16

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  George Prine

  George Prine is the General Manager of Populus, the country’s first carbon positive hotel, which is opening in Denver in summer 2024 and is operated by Aparium Hotel Group. In his role, Prine is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of the hotel, including its operational carbon footprint, revenue management, employee engagement, and the overall guest experience inspired by Aparium’s translocal hospitality. With over 25 years of industry experience, he is a seasoned hospitality veteran with a proven track record of opening and managing luxury hotels, ranging from 60 to 800 room establishments. At the heart of Prine’s success is a leadership approach that prioritizes team mentorship, community connection, operational excellence, exceptional design, and environmental stewardship. A veteran hotelier and tenured leader, Prine previously managed the Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, and the high-end boutique hotel, Le Meridien Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis, where he opened Jean-Georges’ three-star MICHELIN restaurant, Chambers Kitchen. He also spent four years as General Manager of The Armstrong Hotel, the leading boutique hotel in Fort Collins, Colo., where he led its redesign renovations, marketing repositioning, and branding. Under Prine’s leadership, the hotel reached #1 on Trip Advisor, #1 in RevPar and was celebrated in the MICHELIN Colorado Guide selection. In addition to Prine’s dedication to hospitality, he is an entrepreneur who founded Dig Design, a leading biophilic and landscape design firm for large residential estates and corporate campuses in Minnesota and California. He is also an accomplished artist and sculptor. A graduate of the University of Colorado, where he studied business and showcased his athletic prowess as a pro mogul skier on the ski team, Prine currently resides in Boulder, Colo. with his partner Jennifer and their two dogs, and is a father to two grown daughters. In his free time, he enjoys an active lifestyle of trail running, downhill skiing, mountain biking and doing yoga, and fosters an appreciation for home remodeling, contemporary art, mid-century homes, architecture, and interior design. Prine is thrilled to bring his leadership excellence and background in exceptional hospitality along with his passion for nature, sustainability and biophilic design to Populus, which will epitomize Aparium’s commitment to hotels done differently and help to shift the entire hospitality industry towards a greener future.

  Populus

  General Manager

  George Prine

  General Manager

  Populus

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  Jennifer Gipfert

  In 2009, Jennifer joined the TWC Management team upon completing her degree in hospitality management. Her early years were immersed in limited-service hotel properties, fostering a deep passion for hospitality. During college, she gained exposure in the full-service hotel market. Post-graduation, Jennifer excelled as a Hotel General Manager, earning the Revenue and Marketing Award from AmericInn and a top-three nomination for General Manager of the Year in 2010. This success led to her promotion to a dual property General Manager, eventually advancing to the Director of Operations role. In 2018, she became the CEO of TWC Management, overseeing property development, daily operations, and fostering a culture of professional growth. In her tenure, she has facilitated multiple hotel acquisitions, including two ground-up construction projections. Jennifer, a Certified Hotel Administrator, actively engages with Best Western Hotels, serving as a Governor, Chairman of the Global Quality Assurance Committee, and contributing to the BW Colorado Co-Op committee.

  TWC Management

  CEO, Owner

  Jennifer Gipfert

  CEO, Owner

  TWC Management

• Moderator

  Michael Persichitte

  Director

  RBC Capital Markets

Hospitality in the High Country

Strategies for Successful Mountain Resort Developments

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  Adam Larkey

  COO

  Zeppelin Development

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  Anneke Haggerty

  Anneke Haggerty currently serves as McWhinney’s Director of Hospitality Investments overseeing the firm’s underwriting on new hotel developments and acquisitions as well as assisting in the sourcing of new deals and capital raising. Prior to joining McWhinney 6 years ago, Anneke worked several hotel operations jobs and earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management with a concentration in real estate from University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. Anneke is still heavily involved with University of Denver’s hospitality school today serving as an adjunct faculty member teaching the “Introduction to Hotel Investments” 10-week course for the last five years.

  McWhinney

  Director of Hospitality Investments

  Anneke Haggerty

  Director of Hospitality Investments

  McWhinney

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  Shervin Rashidi

  Shervin Rashidi is responsible for the day-to-day management of operations, including but not limited to design through planning and operations, budgeting, approvals and construction. Over the past 30 years, Shervin has been a part of some of Colorado’s most iconic restaurants projects. Having built one of the largest restaurant management companies in Colorado and a successful construction company, Shervin’s expertise has been instrumental in putting River Run on the map – by opening and operating the four anchor restaurants along with co-founding the world-famous Keystone summer festivals. With his wealth of experience, Shervin brings a background in the areas of construction administration relative to hospitality, commercial and residential development as well as planning, scheduling and contract compliance. His expertise includes construction management, monitoring project schedules and coordination of performance of the commissioning among contractors, architects and engineers. He has worked on residential and commercial construction projects aggregating more than $100 million, which include multi-million-dollar restaurant design projects wherein his expertise in strategic planning, marketing, advertising, general contracting, project coordination and developing positive relationships with clients and investors was invaluable.

  Keystone Resort

  Developer

  Developed Kindred Resort-Keystone

  Shervin Rashidi

  Developer

  Keystone Resort

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  Krista Sprenger

  CDO

  Alterra Mountain Company

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  Jay Lambiotte

  Jay spent the first 9 years of his career with East West Partners in Lake Tahoe securing development financing in excess of $500M. In addition to being a lead member of the development team that created The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Jay’s responsibilities included overall financial management for East West’s California location. In 2013, an opportunity presented itself in Denver, where Jay transitioned his CFO role to the new location and has helped lead the nationally recognized Union Station redevelopment. Combining his resort experience with a new understanding of the urban environment, Jay brings a well-rounded perspective to his responsibilities include financial management and reporting, securing debt and equity financing, acquisition and disposition of real estate assets and project management.

  East West Partners

  CFO

  Jay Lambiotte

  CFO

  East West Partners

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  Lisa Waldron

  VP and Managing Director, Development

  Hilton

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  Eric Rubottom

  Eric Rubottom joined RTM Engineering Consultants, a national MEP, Civil, and Structural Consulting firm as a principal through the merger of his previous firm, BG Buildingworks, and brings nearly two decades of experience within the hospitality market throughout the US. Eric is responsible for overseeing a variety of project aspects of building systems consulting, design, and engineering, promoting continuous communication, collaboration, and innovative solutions along the way. His expansive portfolio spans both renovation and new construction of hospitality-focused projects including urban center lodging, exclusive resort properties, resort- adjacent amenities, and luxury residences.

  RTM Engineering Consultants

  Principal

  Moderator

  Eric Rubottom

  Principal

  RTM Engineering Consultants

Opening Remarks: Urban Villages

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  Jon Buerge

  Jon Buerge is the President of Urban Villages, where he is responsible for all development activities, new company acquisitions, corporate growth, and strategic positioning of all real estate assets. A seasoned leader with two decades of real estate development experience – over 15 years of which have been spent at Urban Villages – Buerge’s expertise spans across real estate, investment management, land regulations, market analysis, construction law, due diligence, development, and property management, among many others. As President, Buerge’s focus is centered around creating exceptional, sustainable places. In that regard, he leads the team through all development aspects from site selection, project concepting, architecture and design, entitlements, community engagement, capitalization, construction, leasing, and stabilization. Buerge is also responsible for marketing and PR, investor relations, and guiding culture and talent development. Prior to his role at Urban Villages, Buerge oversaw real estate and expansion activities for several national restaurant chains as Director of Development and Real Estate for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries. At his core, Buerge is an environmentalist and is fiercely passionate about positively impacting our planet through his work. He serves as a board of director on the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He has formally been a voting member of Denver’s Climate Action Task Force where he helped establish Denver’s newest agency, The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR), he was also Past Chair of the ULI Building Healthy Places Committee, and board member of Denver Park Trust. Buerge earned a joint J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Colorado (CU), where he served as both Student Body President and Chair of the CU Honor Council. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business finance from CU as well. A Colorado native, Buerge has a passion for the outdoors and extreme sports, including skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking with his wife and three kids. In his free time, he also loves to travel and write and recently finished his first novel.

  Urban Villages

  President

  Populus, the first carbon-positive hotel

  Jon Buerge

  President

  Urban Villages

Case Study: Hospitality as a Catalyst

The Intersection of Hotel Development and Urban Revitalization

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  Brad Buchanan

  Brad Buchanan, CEO of the National Western Center Authority, is a dynamic leader in the Rocky Mountain region, with roots in entrepreneurship, city planning, design, development, agriculture and community building. Appointed in 2018, he is responsible for implementing the vision of the National Western Center. When complete, the 250-acre campus in north Denver will be a year-round, global destination for culture, entertainment, education and agribusiness innovation. After earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Brad began his career as an architect in Denver, and started his own architecture firm in 1987. Over 25 years he expanded it to include design-build services and real estate development — focusing on mixed-use, urban infill projects, including some affordable housing developments. In 2011 he joined RNL Design (now Stantec) as principal. In 2014 during Denver’s historic post-recession building boom, Mayor Michael B. Hancock appointed Brad executive director of Denver Community Planning and Development. Under Brad’s leadership, city planners engaged more than 20,000 residents in drafting Denveright — an ambitious 20-year plan for land use, mobility, parks and recreation. Also during his tenure, Brad and his team streamlined and modernized city permitting — eliminating backlogs and improving the customer experience for projects of all sizes. Brad has been deeply involved in the community his entire career. As an architect he served as chair of the Denver Planning Board, the Landmark Preservation Commission and the Downtown Denver Partnership’s board. He participated in creating the original Blueprint Denver land use and transportation plan, as well as the city’s innovative, form-based zoning code. In 1999 he founded Freedom by Design, a community service program to provide pro bono design and construction services to the low-income disabled community; today there are 60 chapters nationwide. Brad has agricultural roots. He and his wife, Margaret, and their grown children Grace and Will own and operate Flying B Bar Ranch in Strasburg, Colorado where they raise Wagyu-Angus grass-fed cattle. Flying B Bar employs regenerative agriculture, a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds and enhances the ecosystem. Brad is a member of the board of directors of the American Grassfed Association.

  CEO, National Western Center Authority

  Head of Denver Community Planning and Development

  Brad Buchanan

  Head of Denver Community Planning and Development

  CEO, National Western Center Authority

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  Grant McCargo

  As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Grant McCargo is responsible for all aspects of company development, from selecting development projects and teams to securing investment partners and defining the company’s vision and goals. For over 30 years, he has been involved in all forms of property development and ownership, and has successfully completed more than $4 billion worth of transactions as advisor and principal. Grant is committed to place-based neighborhood developments designed and constructed to last for generations. Grant recently completed a ten-year term on the board of directors of the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and considers himself an environmentalist first.

  Urban Villages

  CEO

  Moderator

  Grant McCargo

  CEO

  Urban Villages