The School of Accounting and Finance is thrilled to congratulate the winning team for the 2023 TMU Expand Your Empire (EYE) Development Conference, the ninth annual edition of this highly competitive event. The winning team took home both the first-place prize of $10,000 and The Most Feasible Design Award of $1,250. Expand Your Empire is the largest real estate development conference and competition for undergraduate students in Canada, attracting students from around the world who are passionate about commercial real estate.
The winning team consisted of four students from the University of Waterloo (from left to right): Nathan (Civil Engineering), Alan (Accounting and Financial Management), Samantha (Architectural Engineering), and Matthew (Urban Planning). Over the weekend of January 27 and 28, the team successfully navigated three competitive rounds at the Cushman and Wakefield offices in downtown Toronto, including a pitch to members of CreateTO and numerous industry experts.
The competition challenged students to design and develop two acres in downtown Toronto, with a focus on financial feasibility, affordability, and sustainability. The team created a two-tower, mixed-use arts district that provided residents with opportunities to highlight their artistic talents and build a sense of community through art, movement, and design. The development included a fine arts workshop, performing arts center, post-production studio, rooftop restaurant with lake views, and a coffee shop with an outdoor patio in the park.
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Prototype 1: A two-tower, mixed-use arts district that provided residents with opportunities to highlight their artistic talents and build a sense of community through art, movement, and design. Prototype 2: An imagining of a balconey space in the two-tower, mixed-use arts district. |
With a commitment to sustainability, the team integrated various design features such as solar roofs, green roofs, and living walls. They also included accessibility features and smart city technology, optimized pedestrian flow with parks and widened streetscapes, and aimed to increase efficiency in terms of lighting, heating, and cooling. The team's thorough research into local demographics and the housing market in the Greater Toronto Area allowed them to create a development that benefits the residents of Humber Bay Shores. Additionally, the team's proposal for a nearby GO station and TTC stop allowed them to prioritize sustainable transportation options. To incorporate the cultural and historical elements of the area, the team included Indigenous murals, artifacts, and plaques, as well as railway lights, tracks, and a clock tower to highlight the area's transportation history. |
The competition was fierce, with top undergraduate teams from across North America competing. The winners were determined by a panel of industry professionals, including the CEO of Cushman and Wakefield and the board of directors at CreateTO, among others.