Sixth Annual Cornell International Real Estate Case Competition

The sixth annual Cornell International Real Estate Case Competition (CIRECC), set for November 4, 2014 in New York City, will feature a record field—with student teams from seventeen universities on four continents competing for a share of over $22,000 in prize money. Now in its sixth year, the case competition gives teams of six students just five days to prepare an analysis of an actual real estate transaction, which is not revealed until the time of the competition.

Hosted by the Cornell Center for Real Estate and Finance the competition is sponsored by a prestigious lineup of corporate sponsors, led by Title Sponsor TIAA-CREF. Once again, this year, the competition will be held at Convene Downtown @ 32 Old Slip, in New York City.

“This is far more than a competition, although it is exciting for the student teams,” said Professor Daniel Quan, director of the Center for Real Estate and Finance. “Our real purpose is to open an educational door for the students, so that they can work on an actual real estate case. In doing this, they are supported by an all-star group of judges, who are focused on helping the students learn more effectively.”

This year’s competing teams are: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Cornell University, Indiana University, McGill University, New York University, Renmin University, University of Aberdeen, University of British Columbia (Sauder School of Business), University of Cambridge, University of Connecticut, University of Guelph, University of Michigan, University of Sydney, University of Texas, University of Wisconsin, Villanova University, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

During the five days before the competition, the student teams will prepare their analysis of the case and determine their recommendations regarding the transaction. After a preliminary presentation round, five remaining finalist teams will present their case solution to the full panel of judges. These real estate experts will determine a winner based on the best overall analysis and presentation. The teams are judged not only on their investment recommendations, their approach to the problem, and their presentation skills, but also on their ability to answer and respond to questions posed by the judges.

In addition to Title Sponsor, TIAA-CREF, sponsors include YOTEL (the official hotel sponsor), Criterion Real Estate Capital, Grove International Partners, National Realty & Development Corp., and Paramount Lodging Advisors. The competition is also funded in part by the Marjorie Boas Levins and Jack Levins /F.H.T. Rhodes Real Estate Case Competition Fund.