For Immediate Release CREDA SoCal UCLA vs. USC Real Estate Challenge to Feature Torrance Site;
Annual Competition to be Held Thursday, November 19 at UCLA
Southern California (October 5, 2026) – Now in its 29th year, the CREDA SoCal UCLA vs. USC Real Estate Challenge will be held November 19 on the UCLA campus. Each year, this high-profile competition pits a five-member graduate student team from the Ziman Center of Real Estate at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business against a five-member graduate student team from the Lusk Center at USC’s Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy in a head-to-head battle to determine the highest and best use for a unique parcel of land in Southern California. The two universities are currently tied at 14 wins apiece.
For 2026, the competition will be an approximately 30-acre site in the City of Torrance utilized as the City’s Civic Center, which includes City Hall, a municipal pool, a cultural arts center, a library and police department. The City wants to revitalize its Civic Center to better utilize the property by consolidating the public uses and developing the remaining acreage. Torrance is in the highly sought-after South Bay region of Los Angeles County, approximately 20 miles southwest of Downtown Los Angeles. It is well recognized for its strong employment base, proximity to the coast, and suburban character.
“This is a great infill site that provides a fantastic opportunity for creativity. That is why the CREDA SoCal challenge is so valuable for these students. They can talk to experts, experiment, collaborate and work on solving a real-world challenge that will also provide valuable insight to the city. I look forward to seeing what the students present,” said Erin Crum, executive vice president, Asset Management, Alere Property, and LA Real Estate Challenge Chair.
To claim victory and the coveted Silver Shovel, the winning student team must accrue the most points during written and oral presentations from the judging panel that includes a diverse collection of high-profile real estate industry and public sector leaders.
“This annual rivalry between USC and UCLA is more than just a competition—it’s a cornerstone of how we develop future commercial real estate leaders,” said Timothy Jemal, CEO of CREDA SoCal. “With bragging rights on the line and a tie to break, this is an event you won’t want to miss.”
For 2026, the UCLA student team is comprised of Matias Adauy Rock, Lucas Amador, Chasen Bruotcao, Jose Ignacio Achondo, and Emily Pappas and the USC student team includes Kevin Sin, Shane Terry, Jackson Hirchag, Hayden Kaiser and Andrew Parkin.
The real estate challenge will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19. To learn more about the event, sponsorship, and tickets, visit the CREDA SoCal website. About CREDA SoCal: With over 1,200 members, CREDA SoCal is the leading association representing commercial real estate in Southern California. Our mission is to provide advocacy, education, and networking opportunities that support the industry’s growth and success. With a focus on innovation and leadership, CREDA SoCal is dedicated to shaping the future of commercial real estate in the region. Learn more at www.credasocal.org. |
