The Colvin Case Study Challenge is a national retrospective written case study competition that challenges teams to document a recent innovative real estate project within the its own metropolitan region. Projects are judged on the depth of understanding of markets, project valuation, finance, urban design, entitlement processes and operational issues by leading real estate professionals. The first-place team received $10,000, with the second place and third place winners receiving $5000 and $2500, respectively. Sponsored by the University of Maryland’s Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, the national competition required student teams to complete a semester-long, case study to demonstrate their depth and breadth of markets, project valuation, finance, urban design, entitlement processes and operational issues.
Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) students David Bivens, Randy Clack and Wain Owings represented the Clemson University team at the 2016 Colvin Case Study Challenge in Baltimore, MD. The MRED team finished third out of 20 graduate real estate programs that participated in the 2016 challenge. The first stage of the competition consisted of a written case study of an existing development project. The Clemson MRED team submitted: “Redefining the Intersection of Downtown – ONE”, the story of the ONE development in downtown Greenville. The Clemson MRED team was then selected as one of four finalists invited to present in front of prominent real estate professionals from across the country in Baltimore. First place went to the MRED team from Columbia University. By finishing third, Clemson’s MRED team was awarded $2,500 and more importantly, gained national exposure. Dr. Robert Benedict served as the team’s faculty advisor with Chandler Thompson (MRED ’15) and Robert Hughes of Hughes Development Corporation serving as professional advisors.
The Case Study Challenge is named for Baltimore Developer John Colvin, who founded the Colvin Institute for Real Estate Development in 2008. The Colvin Institute for Real Estate Development supports the interdisciplinary approach of the University of Maryland’s Master of Real Estate Development curriculum that comprehensively covers finance and capital markets, law and public policy, structure and site design, construction management, property, portfolio and asset management as well as marketing and commercial leasing.
