Students from York University’s Schulich School of Business travelled to New York City in February to take advantage of an intense three-day exploration of transformative real estate and infrastructure developments and investments.
During reading week, the Schulich Real Estate and Infrastructure Club embarked on its annual New York City real estate study tour – and event that started several years ago as a partnership with Columbia University’s real estate program.
The group participated in site visits and tours with leading real estate and infrastructure firms, including Blackstone, Related Companies, Oxford, Vornado Realty, WSP, Brookfield, and Silverstein Properties. From exploring Stuytown – one of the largest commercial real estate asset management holdings in Manhattan – to the multi-billion dollar creation in Manhattan of Hudson Yards and the High Line, as well as the revitalization of Penn Station and reemergence of the World Trade Centre real estate and transit site, students were exposed to the dynamic nature of the New York’s ever-evolving market.
Students were also given a glimpse of the future of real estate and infrastructure in New York City via interactions with Columbia’s real estate development program, urban innovation accelerators and disruptive real estate technology.
“By interacting with the Columbia program and established leaders in the New York market, our students have acquired a broader appreciation for the global business models underpinning these growing industries,” said Sherena Hussain, assistant professor in Brookfield Centre Real Estate and Infrastructure. “Upon returning to Schulich, these students will be able to look upon class projects and cases from a different perspective and use the knowledge gained to arrive at more robust solutions.”
Student participation in this excursion was subsidized by the Real Estate & Infrastructure Student Experience Fund.