Students in the Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate program at Georgetown University recently represented the school by taking home top competition prizes. The team in the NAIOP Capital Challenge won a prize of $10,000, while the team competing in the Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition won $7,500. Both winning teams reflect the strong skill sets and expertise our students possess.
The NAIOP Capital Challenge and the Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Challenge are both annual competitions where teams of real estate students gather to propose property ideas for the Washington, D.C., and Boston areas. Students use their experience in finance, design, construction, development, and property management to create innovative and practical real estate plans. Both teams competed against top finalist schools from around the country.
Diverse Student Body Drives Competitive Success
Those chosen for these competitions came from diverse backgrounds and included both online and on-campus students. Led by Glenn Williamson, faculty director of the Master’s in Real Estate program, the NAIOP Capital Challenge team consisted of students Rebecca Christian, Sara Dura, Colton Keetley, Babra Kyokusiima, Brett Leake, Shraddha Uppunda Jayaprakasha, Calixto Vallejo, and Liham Zaman.
This team put together a mixed-use project that included senior housing, affordable apartments, retail, and entertainment uses on a site within the former St. Elizabeths Hosptial campus in Ward 8. The financial viability of this project depended on serving a market that includes a wide range of incomes. Students in this competition gained important insights from their NAIOP advisors.
The Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition team was led by Master’s in Real Estate faculty member Bill Deller and the team consisted of students Carlos Fermin, Timothy Sloat, Briana Pinheiro, Harry Quinton, and Michael Jackson II. These students first competed online to reach the final round and then journeyed from New York; California; Washington, D.C.; and Massachusetts to compete in person against finalists from NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate and the University of Utah.
Their challenge, sponsored by WS Development, was to put together a redevelopment plan for Parcel 8, a 120,000 square foot air rights site over I-90 in the Fenway neighborhood in Boston, adjacent to the iconic ballpark. The development of these mixed-use projects by both teams required a strong understanding of placemaking to meet the varied demands of the two communities.
Program Excellence Attracts Top Talent Nationwide
As evidenced by the skilled teams in these competitions, the Georgetown University Master’s in Real Estate program attracts a diverse and skilled range of students. The Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition team is composed of an architect from California, a financier from New York, a developer from Boston, and a property manager based in Washington, D.C. The local team in the NAIOP Capital Challenge was augmented by Brett Leake, a developer and entrepreneur based in Colorado.
The Master’s in Real Estate program builds students’ foundational skills and provides the key insights needed for success in today’s real estate industry. In this program, students study active real estate markets around the world through a blend of case studies and practical, hands-on application. In the collaborative learning environment that blends online and on-campus aspects, students can better understand diverse perspectives that help them become well-rounded professionals.
Learn more
