Santa Ana, CA (February 24, 2026) – On Wednesday, April 15, student teams from the Chapman University Argyros College of Business & Economics (Chapman) and the University of California, Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business Center for Real Estate (UCI) will compete head-to-head in NAIOP SoCal’s 5th Annual Orange County Real Estate Challenge for the coveted Orange Cup. To compete, each five-member student team will present their vision for the highest and best use for this year’s challenge site. The site is an approximately 8.3-acre redevelopment opportunity located at 1280 S. Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim. It comprises 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 are challenged to present a proposal to the City of Anaheim to revitalize this site and introduce a vibrant mix of new uses that will offer economic benefits and enhance community vibrancy. The winning team will accrue the most points during written and oral presentations to an esteemed panel of local commercial real estate industry leaders and a live audience. “This is a fantastic showcase for these students as they share their knowledge and expertise to the judges, the city, and our audience. Now in its fifth year, the OC Real Estate Challenge has evolved into a unique spotlight for the industry, the universities, and each student’s potential,” said David Nazaryk, NAIOP SoCal OC Real Estate Challenge Chair. “We appreciate the city of Anaheim’s willingness to be at the center of this challenge and to witness what the students will propose for their site. NAIOP SoCal has created many strong programs designed to build and promote the next generation of commercial real estate talent – and this challenge is an important representation of that work,” said NAIOP SoCal CEO Tim Jemal. The challenge event begins at 5:00 p.m. on the Chapman University campus. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and tickets can be purchased here. About: About: NAIOP SoCal represents nearly 1,300 members and is the leading commercial real estate trade association in Southern California. Internationally, NAIOP represents more than 21,500 commercial real estate professionals. 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. In 2026 NAIOP SoCal will rebrand as the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, CREDA SoCal, to better reflect its broader focus on the entire commercial real estate sector.
Learn more at www.naiopsocal.org. | 
