Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
A mixed-use waterfront experience that includes hospitality, residential, office, event space — and pickleball courts atop a parking garage — convinced the judges it was the winning project at the 12th annual REIAC/Rockefeller Group Challenge at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club Adobe Bar & Grille.
Tidewalk Partners took home the cash prize of $1,000 per team member among two graduating Masters of Real Estate Development student teams from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, according to a press release.
The May 8 REIAC/Rockefeller Group Challenge featured a new twist – four “Real Estate Celebrity Judges. Presentations were judged and the winning team was selected by industry leaders Sharon Harper, Plaza Companies; John Graham, Sunbelt Holdings; Charley Freericks, Howard Hughes Holdings, Inc.; and Heather Personne, Evolve Ventures.
This year’s project was a request for development proposals for the northeast and northwest corners of Rural Road and Rio Salado Parkway, gateway to the Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe owned by ASU.
“We’re the only MRED program in the country that teaches like we do. This was their third project students pursued as part of the program; it’s a team experience and the most difficult of the three. In addition, we assign capital partner, architecture and cost estimating mentors to each team. The students are not just solving a problem; they’re managing these perspectives. These are real problems, real projects,” explained Mark Stapp, director of the MRED program.
“This is about learning. This was a great end to the program; a project that aligns with the vision for both ASU and the Novus Innovation District.
“It’s the faculty that provides the essential knowledge professionals rely on, and that was especially evident in this particular assignment. Both the mentors and students demonstrated exceptional dedication. This experience is as immersive and authentic as we can possibly make it.”
