The graduate student team from the Chapman University Argyros College of Business & Economics took the win at the fourth annual NAIOP SoCal Orange County Real Estate Challenge. Held April 17 on the University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus, the event brought together graduate student teams from Chapman and the UCI Paul Merage School of Business Center for Real Estate in a head-to-head competition to determine the highest and best use for a site in Southern California.
For 2025, the competition site involved the reimagination of the Santa Ana Civic Center and Santa Ana Stadium. Encompassing federal, state, county, and city agency buildings, along with the Santa Ana City Hall, OC Civic Center, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana Main Library and stadium, the development proposal sought to better connect the Civic Center and stadium to downtown Santa Ana and to better serve the city, county and state employees who occupy the facilities.
Chapman’s winning presentation included the creation of a cultural and sports district with an 18,000-seat stadium, retail and event amenities. All told, the proposal calls for a new civic center with two new office towers and parking while retaining key buildings such as the parking structure, law library and other essential civic functions.
“This year’s proposals set a new benchmark for professionalism,” said David Salisbury, NAIOP SoCal OC Real Estate Challenge Co-Chair and VP, U.S. Bank. “It is an honor to bring this event once again to the industry and provide such a valuable platform for these students and outstanding universities.”
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