Development Challenge

Challenge ROI

• $30,000 in total monetary prizes for top finalist teams
• Top industry judges
• Amazing networking opportunity
• Bragging rights and a resume highlight
• Recognition from industry, alumni, peers and potential employers
• Earn Challenge swag
• Visit Chapel Hill!

Drilling down

The Case Challenge officially begins with the distribution of the challenge case on the Thursday before Challenge week. Until the Monday morning of Challenge week, teams work furiously to put together the best comprehensive solution to the development case.

Thursday evening teams gather in Chapel Hill for a welcome reception and dinner. The next day, the challenge competition begins in earnest. Using four presentation rooms simultaneously, teams present their case solutions in a 20-minute presentation, followed by 5 minutes of questions from judges who are experts in the real estate industry.

After lunch, the teams learn which four teams will move to the finals in the afternoon. The “Final Four” present again in the afternoon to the entire judging pool and the remaining teams. Prizes are presented and teams celebrate at a social that Friday night in Chapel Hill.

If you would like more information on the UNC Real Estate Development Challenge, please contact Wood Center Communication and Events Manager Kelsey Faulkner.

2024 Challenge Case

The 2024 UNC Real Estate Development Challenge, presented by Hines, was held Feb. 22-23 at Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, NC. Fifteen teams from top business schools around the country tackled a development case provides by Hines, which focused on the completion of The Parks at Walter Reed in Northwest DC. Teams received the case on Thursday, February 15 and worked quickly to submit materials by Monday morning. To kick off the event, the 15 competing teams joined 25 judges from a variety of commercial real estate backgrounds for a welcome dinner with members of the Hines and UNC Wood Center for Real Estate Studies teams. On Friday, teams competed in a first round of presentations before four finalists moved onto the second round. Ultimately, the team from Columbia Business School came out on top and claimed the $15,000 prize. To wrap up the event, teams and judges gathered on Franklin Street at Carolina Brewery.

The winning teams for the 2024 challenge:

• 1st place: Columbia Business School
• 2nd place: The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
• 3rd place: Georgetown McDonough School of Business and UCLA Anderson School of Business