Orange County, CA (April 16, 2026) – The graduate student team from the Chapman University Argyros College of Business & Economics, Alexander E. Hayden School of Real Estate (Chapman) took the win and the Orange Cup at the fifth annual NAIOP SoCal OC Real Estate Challenge.
The event pits graduate student teams from Chapman and the University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business Center for Real Estate (UCI) in a head-to-head competition to determine the highest and best use for a Southern California site.
The 2026 competition site is an approximately 8.3-acre redevelopment opportunity in Anaheim that encompasses six separate vacant parcels formerly used for various automotive-related services. The site was acquired by Anaheim’s former Redevelopment Agency and identified in the city’s long-range property management plan as a strategic location for future market-rate development. The students were challenged to present their proposal to revitalize the site and introduce a vibrant mix of new uses that will deliver economic benefits and enhance community vitality.
Chapman’s winning presentation, The Pulse at Anaheim, includes 40,000 square feet of dining, retail and experiential tenants that provide a gathering place and compelling tourist attraction for the community, along with 306 multifamily units featuring studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. The students called the site a destination and connector, sharing how they worked with residents and businesses in the community to better understand local concerns.
The Chapman team included Lucas Ghahari, Clayton Lobel, Enyo Kim, Eric Valdivia, and Helen Woldemariam. To win the Orange Cup, the team accrued the most points during written and oral presentations to a panel of high-profile commercial real estate industry leaders and the live audience.
The UCI team included Angel Barajas, Fox Boswell, Alan Dao, Arkansh Singh, and Penelope Soto Leyva.
“The value of this event is immeasurable. It provides an incredible opportunity to engage the next generation and build a pipeline of talent in commercial real estate as well as bring the real estate community together for a great event,” said David Nazaryk, Chair, OC Real Estate Challenge, and Managing Director, Trammel Crow.
“We have nurtured this competition since the beginning, and now, in our fifth year, I can feel the intensity from these students. This is a fantastic showcase for these future leaders, and it demonstrates why our work with these universities is so valuable,” said Tim Jemal, NAIOP SoCal CEO.
Special thanks to the OC Real Estate Challenge Honorary Captains Chris Tipre, Principal, Trammell Crow for UCI, and Jason Krotts, Co-Founder & Principal, REDA, for Chapman.
Recognition also goes to the challenge judges Charlie Arbing, Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Construction, Boot Barn; Gian Bruno, Executive Vice President, Colliers; John Condas, Partner, Land Use Law, Allen Matkins; Eric Hepfer, Senior Managing Director, Hines; Oren Hillel, Senior Director of Development, Waterford; Norma Campos Kurtz, Council Member, City of Anaheim; Kim Snyder, Executive Director, Prologis; and Chelsea Levane, Director, Investments, Cabot Properties.
About: NAIOP SoCal represents over 1,100 members and is the leading commercial real estate trade association in Southern California. NAIOP SoCal’s mission is to provide a unified voice to protect and enhance the commercial real estate industry and quality of life in Southern California through superior education, proactive public policy engagement, and meaningful business connections. Learn more at www.naiopsocal.org.
Article photo: David Nazaryk - OC Real Estate Challenge Committee Chair, Managing Director - Trammell Crow |
