Designing for People: Risk, Resilience, and the Future of Urban Development with Kelly Pretzer
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 96
Listen Here
Why do some places invite you to linger, while others seem to push you through?
In this podcast episode, Kelly Pretzer of BMC Investments digs into the elements that make places memorable, from scale and materiality to the moments of discovery that reward curiosity. Kelly draws on her background in both public-sector planning and private development to explore how developers can design resilient, people-first places by focusing on enduring principles: adaptability, thoughtful placemaking, and community relevance.
Art and culture emerge as key tools for transforming such projects from transactional real estate endeavors into meaningful urban experiences. Whether discussing mixed-use districts like Denver’s Cherry Lane or affordable housing like the University Building, the episode reinforces how thoughtful design choices can shape positive behaviors, spark connection, and create long-term social and economic value.
Discussed in the Episode:
BMC Investments
Cherry Lane
San Francisco’s South Park
BART
Kreuzberg Alleys in Berlin
Seattle’s Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
City Park Denver
Historic University Building Transforms into Downtown Denver Housing
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Kelly Pretzer on LinkedIn
About Kelly Pretzer:
Kelly Pretzer serves as Managing Director, Head of Development and Affordable Housing for BMC. In her role, she leads several development projects and builds out BMC’s Affordable Housing platform. Kelly has deep expertise in all facets of real estate development, including vertical construction, extensive land and infrastructure developments, adaptive reuse, and community facilities. She has focused on complex regulatory environments and is experienced with multiple public financing mechanisms, including novel approaches to land-secured financing. In her career, Kelly has developed over $2.5B of projects across a variety of property types, including multifamily, office, retail, life science, and mixed-use.
Prior to BMC, Kelly spent 12 years at Brookfield Properties and Forest City (acquired in 2018), leading development activities across the West Coast and Central markets. Before joining the private sector, Kelly spent five years in the public sector, advancing transformative public-private developments and overseeing state and federal legislative affairs activities under multiple mayoral administrations. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in History.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!
