The 6th Annual NAIOP Case Study Competition was an intercollegiate competition between undergraduate student teams from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Each team was asked to evaluate a prime site in Central Florida and devise a development plan based on the current market environment.
On Monday, April 14, the judges made a unanimous decision for the premium outlet mall solution with a tower of restaurants and nightclubs, developed by the student team calling themselves “Union Solutions” Michelle Rotger, Tu Le, David Henning and Ricardo Joseph. The judges selected the project based upon its uniqueness, ability to withstand economic changes, return on investment, intuitive arrangement for parking, and spectacular design mixed with the unique use of family friendly landscaped outdoor spaces. The student team who won first place for their design and investment package with ‘Oasis of Orlando Outlets’ worked with a real development team including Robert Castillo with Synovus Bank, Carson Good with JLL Commercial Real Estate, James Hoffman VHB Civil Engineers provided site and soil analysis, and a team from VOA Architects contributed the center design, illustrations and video!
You can view the design video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CALs4PKDCFI&feature=youtu.be
Using the skills learned in their current course work and in the Development 101 series, each team put together a full development plan and presented it to a panel of industry experts on Monday, April 14th. The panel evaluated the presentations and selected UCF’s student team ‘Union Solutions’. As first place winners, the students received the REAL Bowl Champions Trophy to display at UCF for one year, along with individual awards and a cash prize.
This was an excellent opportunity for the students to gain real world experience as it relates to the development process, as well as fostering relationships with industry experts who have volunteered their time as mentors to the students. Many students that have participated in the competition have secured their first job in the real estate industry from the mentors and companies that participate in this event. Please also check out this link to the local NAIOP Website, they are a great and active organization: http://www.naiopcfl.org/aws/NAIOPCF/pt/sp/home_page