April 6, 2009

For the second year in a row, an interdisciplinary team of students from the Real Estate and Architecture programs reached the winner's circle in the Real Estate Investment and Development (REIDO) Case Competition. The Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development sponsored the team.

The Maryland team took third place in the national competition sponsored by the GWU Business School. Final presentations and judging took place on March 28.

Maryland, which took first place in the competition last year, was joined in the winner's circle this year by the University of Washington and Georgetown University. Other participants included the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Texas A&M.

This year's REIDO competition case was a challenging 28-acre site with 60 land owners and more than 130 parcels that sits between New York Avenue, Florida Avenue and Gallaudet University. The site is currently being developed by Edens & Avant.

The Maryland team presented a strong site plan, solid and realistic financials and a key marketing point of view for its East Hill Gate proposal. The team proposed a neighborhood with connectivity and accessibility for the students and faculty of Gallaudet, providing safe and beautiful pedestrian access through the new development to reach the Florida Avenue Metro station, the NoMa neighborhood and the rest of the city.

The proposal preserves two historic market buildings in the center of the neighborhood, with local food purveyors and restaurants and a multi-screen cinema providing new amenities for students and other residents and visitors. Sight lines from Florida Avenue into the Gallaudet campus are preserved, maintaining focus on the neighborhood's center.

Team leader Daniel Irvin (Master of Real Estate Development) and faculty sponsor Rob Rosenfeld led this year's team. Julie Smith and Al Tetrault served as additional faculty mentors. 

Completing the team were Christina Collins (current MRED student and ARCH alumna), Jonathan Florin (MRED), Andy Howe (MRED), Lin Mao (ARCH), Tayler Simpson (MRED) and Eric Walter (MRED). Collins and Mao shared their graphic skills with the team by creating images emphasizing the connectivity of the site plan and proposed uses.

The team will present its proposal to the School later this semester. Details will be announced soon.

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland is home to four academic disciplines: architecture, urban planning, historic preservation and real estate development. Committed to educating its students and community about the importance of sustainability and smart growth, the School practices an interdisciplinary approach to education, research, creative work, and community and professional service. For more information, please e-mail us or call 301.405.8000.

School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation  |  Collaborative Education for a Sustainable Future