Brandon Wyszynski hopes to land a job in real estate development when he graduates from the University of Colorado in May.
After Wednesday night, the 30-year-old took a step toward that end.
A team from CU, including Wyszynski, squared off against a four-person squad from the University of Denver in the third annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge on Wednesday. The event was held in a conference room at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“It gives us great exposure,’ Wyszynski said. “We learned through working with a lot of people in the industry.’
The CU team took top honors, claiming bragging rights and a trophy. DU won the 2004 title, while CU earned it in 2003.
This year, each team took on the role of developer for the High Point project, a real-life, 800-acre mixed-use development planned near Denver International Airport. The project, being developed by Littleton’s Landmark Properties Group, could incorporate ideas presented by the teams.
The CU team gained an edge, judges said, because it proposed an athletic training center that would help High Point differentiate itself from other mixed-use developments.
Each group of graduate students, who won preliminary rounds at their respective schools, submitted a written proposal that included financial projections, market analysis and planned retail, residential and business developments.
“The project bridged the gap between academia and the real world,’ said Taurin McGrath, 25, of the DU team.
Both teams were grilled by a panel of judges – composed of mostly local real estate professionals – during a 45-minute presentation.
The teams concluded with a more in-depth presentation to a 400-member audience Wednesday evening.
“It’s interesting to give students the opportunity to think outside the box,’ said Wendy Mitchell, president of the Aurora Economic Development Council, who served as a judge.
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-820-1473 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
