UW Real Estate Club Spring Trip: Boston

On March 14-16, twenty-five students from the Real Estate Club (and Club adviser Sharon McCabe) headed east to tour the Boston market. The trip started with a networking event at The Hampshire House (you may know it as the Cheers bar) on Wednesday night, where students were able to interact with local area alums in addition to those in town for the PREA conference. We were also able to host some prospective students that lived in the area.

Thursday morning started with meetings at Jones Lang LaSalle and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, providing students with an overview of the Boston market. We then moved on to a property tour of One Federal, a Class A office building undergoing a $19M renovation, that was organized by alum Brian Berry. Afterwards, students lunched at the historic Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market before heading off by bus to East Cambridge. Peter Calkins of Forest City walked us through his company's collaboration with MIT in developing a unique mixed-use research park serving the city's life science industry. From there, the bus tour continued throughout the city, viewing new developments as they made their into the Seaport district. Alum Jake Maliel set up a tour of One Marina Park Dr. with CBRE, a newly completed building overlooking the Boston harbor. We learned about the area's goal to become the 'Innovation District,' highlighted by Vertex's 1.1M square foot lease signed in the area last year. After finishing the tour, the group met local alums for a seafood dinner at Legal Sea Foods -a Boston institution.

Friday morning started right where we left off, touring the Liberty Hotel. This unique redevelopment project was completed in 2007, after serving nearly 150 years as a Suffolk County jail. Students then got on 'The T' to tour the newly renovated Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Alum Paul Gilbert, an overseer of the Museum, organized the tour of the $100M+ expansion, discussing in detail the design and financing of the new building.

The trip proved to be a great success, and many students were able to stay in town for the weekend's St. Patrick's Day festivities. Much thanks to Jill Hatton and Bob Schneiders for being intimately involved in the planning process, in addition to alums Kevin Wall, Peter Tedesco, Bruce Guenther, Jeff Herscott, Laura Miller, and Jason Rothenberg and Graaskamp Executive Director Mike Brennan for attending the week's events.

Message to a prospective student

Since we launched our blog in 2009, we have asked MBA students in the Graaskamp Center to contribute to a series called Meet Our Current Students. In their posts, they share their impressions and experiences of their first-year in the program. In his first post for us, Andrew Toby has a message for prospective students:

It’s that time of year. The leaves are beginning to change color, the weather is cooling down, football season is under way, and, for prospective MBA students, the first round admissions deadline is rapidly approaching.

For me, this took place a year ago, although it seems like just yesterday. My intent for this message, however, is not to get nostalgic about the endless hours of program researching, resume refining, and essay editing that I experienced. Rather, it is to reflect on my experience during my first month with the program.

Let’s take a look at some of the things that I’m enjoying about the program (and living in Madison) so far:

Specialization classes begin immediately. No waiting until your second year to finally get to the material you came back to school for. The first year MBA class is taking Real Estate Finance with Erwan Quintin this semester. The class is challenging but incredibly informative and applicable to the industry, and we often spend a good portion of class time just discussing current events (which are abundant given the current financial condition of the economy). I can honestly say that the material being covered in this class is precisely what I was looking for in Real Estate MBA education.

The alumni are interactive and supportive. One of the program’s greatest strengths is its alumni, and there was no time wasted in getting linked into the network right as the program began. We have registered as student members of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA), which allows us access to alumni events, job postings, etc. Each student has also been paired up with an alumni mentor for more in-depth, one on one interaction and support.

The high regard for the program draws visits from other prominent industry professionals. Our interaction with prominent industry professionals is not just limited to our alumni. Within the first few weeks of the program, we have already been fortunate enough to receive a visit from Brad Olsen of Atlantic Partners, Ltd, who gave a thought-provoking lecture on global real estate. We also had some face to face time (via Skype) with Jay Lehman, Director of National Recruiting at Toll Brothers, Inc. for some direct advice on career preparation. Jay has interviewed thousands of candidates and reviewed even more resumes from applicants hoping to crack into the real estate industry, so the advice he was able to share with us was invaluable. The Wisconsin Real Estate Club also presented the Innovator Award to Michael Ashner of Winthrop Realty Trust, who took time to share his thoughts and advice about succeeding in the industry.

Madison is a great city. There hasn’t been any shortage of activity in Madison - so much, actually, that I could write an entire post solely discussing all the things that I’ve had the opportunity to do since I moved here. Even more specifically, as I consider myself somewhat of a foodie, I could also dedicate a post to the plethora of delicious restaurants I’ve dined at during the last month. From the activities on the lake (sailing, kayaking, fishing, skiing, etc.) to live music (including many free shows and festivals), Madison is sure to entertain. (The Madison Experience, video)

These are just my some of my first impressions, and I’d like to tie them together with a huge emphasis on how happy I am with my decision to attend the Wisconsin School of Business. Making the decision to go to b-school is tough, and choosing which school is right for you can be agonizing. As a guy who had previously spent his entire life in California, I know that the adjustment can be intimidating. Rest assured that Madison, UW, and the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate combine to make a welcoming place that you’ll be happy to call your new home.

Andrew Toby is a first-year MBA student in the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. A CPA from California, Andrew hopes to utilize both his accounting background and the knowledge gained in the MBA program to pursue a career in private equity investments in real estate.

San Diego is the place to be for CREF11

Happening February 6-9 is the Mortgage Bankers Association's Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo 2011. It's definitely a "must-attend event" for commercial/multifamily finance industry professionals, and Wisconsin Real Estate alumni are always well-represented.

The Graaskamp Center and the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) are hosting a little networking event for all our Wisconsin family and friends!

When: Monday, February 7, 2011, 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, Room Ford C, Third Level

Attending WREAA members are encouraged to bring a guest. You must attend the MBA CREF conference to attend the reception. The conference badge is required for entry.

To RSVP: Contact Tracy Wundrow (tracy.wundrow at wreaa.org)

Hope to see you there!

WREAA Minnesota Region: Block E Presentation & Happy Hour

Please join the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) for a presentation by Phillip Jaffe from Alatus LLC on his firm’s July 2010 acquisition of the Block E entertainment complex located in the Minneapolis central business district. Block E includes 213,000 square feet of space as well as 550 underground parking spaces. The project was originally developed in 2001 and included a substantial investment by the City of Minneapolis. The area has undergone significant changes with the opening of the new Twins Stadium.

Block E is the name of a block in downtown Minneapolis bounded by Hennepin Avenue, 6th Street, 7th Street, and 1st Avenue North. It is part of the Downtown West neighborhood in Minneapolis. It is one block south of the Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue light rail station on the Hiawatha Line. (Wikipedia)

When: Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 3:00 PM

Where: Kieran's Pub (located within Block E)
601 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403

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Free for 2011 WREAA Members
$30 for Non-Members
Includes Presentation, Happy Hour & Appetizers

To RSVP: Contact Tracy Wundrow (tracy.wundrow@wreaa.org)

Celebrate the holiday season with the WREAA

The holiday season has begun and Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni are celebrating with WREAA regional events.

The events are open to members. If you're not one already, please visit the WREAA website to find out how. The organization is open to alumni and friends of the Real Estate program at the Wisconsin School of Business.

• Wednesday December 1, Illinois Region 2010 Holiday Party
• Thursday December 9, Washington, DC Holiday Luncheon
• Wednesday December 15, Southern California Holiday Party
  

Click to learn more and to RSVP. Bookmark the WREAA Community Calendar to keep up to date on all events and activities.

WREAA serves as a link between its members and the School, current students, and the real estate industry, organizing opportunities for networking and interaction for members and affiliates. Members contribute to the ongoing development of the Wisconsin Real Estate Program through WREAA's financial support at a departmental level, through its financial support of students, and through the organization of its nationwide network of alumni and affiliates who serve as "guardians" of the Program.

Mark Olinger Talks About Madison's Plans for the Capitol East District

Join the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association's Western Wisconsin Fall Program & Networking Event tomorrow night November 4th for a discussion of new directions in infrastructure investing.

Guest speaker Mark Olinger, Acting Director of Planning and Community and Economic Development for the City of Madison. Mark discussed the city of Madison's plans for the Capitol East District.

The event starts at 5:30 pm at the Brink Lounge in Madison.


The WREAA serves as a vital link between the university, students, the real estate market, and its membership. Membership in the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) is open to all graduates of the University of Wisconsin Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Program and to individuals who are currently working in and share our passion for the industry and also share a strong interest in advancing the University of Wisconsin Real Estate Program.

If you're not already a member, becoming one is easy and the benefits are great! Learn how to join today!

ULI Fall Meeting-Intensive but Enjoyable

Continuing Series: Meet Our Current Students

A small group of MBA students and I spent three days in Washington, DC for ULI’s Fall Meeting. The time there was very intense but very enjoyable. More than 5,000 people attended this year’s meeting, and I had the chance to enjoy all kinds of insightful panels. I think it was a good opportunity for me to understand real estate markets as well as a good networking opportunity to reach out and get to know industry leaders.

It was really difficult task to choose the panels to attend as there were so many good ones. So we turned to Graaskamp Center Executive Director Michael Brennan for help. He went through the panel schedule with me and suggested some good choices; my personal favorites: “Capital Market: What Do Today and Tomorrow Look Like” and the “Office Trends: Here, Now, and Beyond”. The first one gave me an overview of the current market and the investment opportunities in the emerging market such as China, while the second one helped me dig deeper into the office market. Wisconsin alumni Brian D. Berry, Managing Director of Tishman Speyer, was the discussion leader for the “Office Trends” panel. He shared his industry experience and his viewpoints for the office market. He thought there would heavy demand for flexibility of the office space as corporate clients are more efficient than before.

Wisconsin Real Estate had a booth in university row in the main expo hall which welcomed alumni and potential applicants. We also got to know some of the graduate students from other real estate programs such as Columbia, MIT and Cornell. We had a good discussion on the international capital market and its impact on the global real estate industry. I think ULI is a good platform for us to get to know more friends and to learn from each other.

On Thursday October 14th, the WREAA and the Graaskamp Center hosted a networking reception. It was a big success, attended by over 50 alumni and potential applicants for the program. We met some people interested in our program, and we were glad to introduce our wonderful experience as a first year MBA students. Backed up by Professor and Academic Director Stephen Malpezzi who explained further about the program’s curriculum and the strength of the program.

If you would like to learn more about the Wisconsin MBA program or about upcoming events, visit our website at www.bus.wisc.edu/realestate.

Julia Xia is a first-year MBA student in the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate. Formerly a real estate consultant and asset manager in Beijing, Julia graduated from Peking University with a bachelor's degree in finance and banking.

Setting off for Seattle

Students and members of the UW Real Estate Club are traveling to Seattle this week on the fall semester field trip.

With support and assistance from local alumni, over two days, they will visit sites including Russell Investments Center, Bellevue Towers, Melrose Market, and others. The Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association has organized a welcome reception for the club Wednesday evening October 27th. Please visit wreaa.org for details and to register.

The Real Estate Club, which is open to both undergraduate and MBA students in real estate, takes a field trip to a key U.S. real estate market each semester. Previous trips have visited Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York to name a few.

Photo by Robert Badgley via stock.xchng

Join the Millenium Graduates Challenge Campaign!

The Millennium Graduates Challenge Campaign is heating up in the last few days before the real estate alumni biennial conference in Madison on Thursday and Friday.

The results for each class year will be announced at the meeting later this week. You can see how your class stacks up against pledges made by other years by clicking through to the campaign website.

There is still time to participate! Make your pledge today. Help your class and help the next generation of real estate leaders who benefit from the world-class Wisconsin Real Estate Program which was again ranked #2 by U.S. News & World Report.

On Wisconsin!

Speed networking at the Fall Real Estate Alumni Biennial

Today is the last day to register online for the WREAA Fall Biennial Conference: New Foundations September 16-18th at UW-Madison. Be sure to check out the speed networking session coordinated by faculty member and alum Sharon McCabe. Visit wreaa.org today!

Visit us at ICSC RECon!

Register to attend the reception with the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) or just stop by. We'd love to see you!

Calling Chicago area alumni & friends!

Kick off spring on March 23rd with the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association Illinois Region happy hour!

Join WREAA members and guests 5:30-7:30 pm at Bull & Bear in Chicago's River North District at 431 North Wells. Register online at WREAA.org by March 18th.

Don't be late! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this weekend!

Happenings in Southern California this week

Members of the UW Real Estate Club are traveling to Los Angeles this week. For three days, students will participate in site tours of key developments, meetings, networking dinners, and a variety of other opportunities to learn from industry leaders. The club typically takes two trips each year to major U.S. markets. Contacts with local alumni and principals are key and ultimately make it all possible. Past excursions include Boston, Washington DC, Phoenix, New York, and Denver.

This semester's trip to Southern California coincides with the WREAA's Southern California UW Real Estate Network Event on March 3rd in Santa Monica. For more information and last minute registration, visit the WREAA's Community Calendar.

Celebrate the holidays in Denver with Wisconsin alumni!

Join your fellow Badgers for great conversation, networking and merriment to celebrate the holiday season! On Wednesday December 16th, the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association is hosting a holiday gathering for alumni members and guests in Denver. The event will take place 5:00-7:30 pm at the Washington Park Grill. Register online until December 15th.

Photo by bjearwicke, stock.xchng

Real Estate students and alumni come together

Tonight is a joint meeting between the West Wisconsin region of the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association and the UW Real Estate Club. WREAA members, students and guests are invited to attend.

The program includes two very special speakers:
John Wasik, author of The Cul-de-sac Syndrome, financial columnist for Bloomberg News and 11 other books, and
Rick Harrison, author of Prefurbia: Reinventing the Suburbs: From Disdainable to Sustainable, and site designer extraordinaire.

This is a great networking opportunity for students and grads from the Wisconsin Real Estate Program. If you're interested in becoming a member of the club or the alumni association, staff will be available at the event tonight at the Pyle Center, starting at 6:00.