A team of Purdue students brought together expertise in finance, engineering and construction management to earn recognition for the “Best Pitch” in their competition pool at the 2026 Eisenberg Real Estate Challenge.
Competing against 20 teams from universities across the country, the five-student Purdue team developed and presented an innovative proposal for a large-scale mixed-use development in downtown Chicago. Representing two Purdue schools and three majors, all team members are also pursuing minors through the Dean V. White Real Estate Finance Program at the Daniels School of Business.
The Eisenberg Challenge brings together top undergraduate real estate teams to compete on a high-profile Midwest development project. Each team receives the same site information and assumptions and must create a comprehensive proposal that combines financial analysis, market feasibility and development strategy.
This year’s competition centered on “The 78,” a 62-acre development site along the Chicago River that is often referred to as Chicago’s 78th neighborhood. Developed by Related Midwest, a leading real estate development firm known for large-scale, transformative urban projects, the long-vacant property is planned as a mixed-use community featuring residential, commercial, academic and public spaces.
The Purdue team proposed a six-building development that integrated residential, hospitality and retail components into a balanced, market-driven vision for the site. Team members were responsible for underwriting, designing and pitching the proposal during the competition in Chicago on April 11, 2026.
According to faculty advisor and economics professor J.R. Stokes, the students delivered an exceptional presentation in a highly competitive field. “The pitch Purdue delivered really speaks for itself,” Stokes says.
While the team excelled in their presentation and analysis, they narrowly missed the final round. The competition was fierce, with judges selecting only three teams to move forward.
Team member Zane Barnett says the group’s interdisciplinary approach helped distinguish Purdue’s proposal.
“We operated as a fully integrated development team rather than just a group of individuals,” Barnett says, echoing feedback from the judges. “By blending our finance, engineering and construction backgrounds, we were able to approach ‘The 78’ from every professional angle.”
The team’s performance reflects the real estate program’s emphasis on experiential learning, industry engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Industry advisors for the project were Daniels School alumnus Kevin Lichterman and Sam Tarter.
Watch the Purdue team’s presentation at the 2026 Eisenberg Real Estate Challenge:
