February 21, 2025

The Georgia Institute of Technology has once again demonstrated its excellence in urban design and real estate development by securing a finalist position and an honorable mention in the prestigious 2025 ULI/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. The competition challenges graduate students to create visionary development proposals for a real-world site, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative urban solutions. 

Georgia Tech has a strong legacy in the ULI Hines Student Competition, with the 2024 winning team, Meander, showcasing innovative urban design and sustainable development solutions. 

This year, Georgia Tech’s finalist team, ANCHOR, impressed the competition jury with a bold proposal that reimagines urban development as a vehicle for economic opportunity and sustainability. Their project envisions a thriving mixed-use community featuring 623 rental units—51% of which are designated as affordable housing to foster homeownership and equity-building opportunities. ANCHOR integrates a community health club, an art walk, and a Maker District celebrating Cleveland’s industrial heritage while offering employment and education opportunities. The proposal’s financing strategy leverages diverse funding mechanisms, including Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), State Opportunity Zone Tax Credits, and Inflation Reduction Act incentives. 

The ANCHOR team members include: 

• Mason Gaines (Team Leader) – Master of Real Estate Development
• Devon Erickson – Master of Real Estate Development
• Matthew Bean – Master of Architecture
• Vincent Parisi – Master of City and Regional Planning
• Kai Wang – Master of Architecture 

"Participating in the 2025 ULI Hines Student Competition was an intense challenge that tested our team's ability to develop a comprehensive real estate proposal in just two weeks," the ANCHOR team said in a statement after securing the finalist position. "Our goal was to create a development that aligned with the local community’s needs while remaining grounded in market realities. We worked together to integrate market analysis, financial feasibility, and a thoughtful design that could bring this vision to life," the team said. 

"By diving into every detail, we ensured our plan was truly 'ANCHORED' in reality—not just a hypothetical concept, but a feasible development strategy. Being named one of the four finalists was a rewarding accomplishment and a testament to our hard work and collaboration," they said.

The team was supported by faculty advisor Marc Wyzykowski, Vice President of Development at Georgia Tech, and professional advisors Patrick Chesser, Senior Managing Director at Mill Creek Residential Trust, Hannah Cushing, Development Officer at the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and Michael Gamble, Professor of Architecture at Georgia Tech. 

In addition to this finalist recognition, Georgia Tech’s second competing team received an honorable mention for their proposal, The SpectaCLE. This recognition underscores the breadth of talent and innovation at Georgia Tech in tackling complex urban challenges. 

The SpectaCLE project offered a mixed use development in the neighborhood in Cleveland, said team member Lucia Lugones, a Master of Science in Urban Design student. "We wanted to create an important access to Lake Erie" which was the focus of the competition. "So we wanted to bring in all these amenities. We wanted to bring in anchor institutions to kind of revitalize the neighborhood, and bring in connectivity diversity, both for the neighborhood and all the existing cultures that are around that neighborhood," she said.  

This achievements comes on the heels of Georgia Tech’s recent launch of a new ULI-focused course, which aims to prepare students for real-world urban development challenges. The course has played a crucial role in equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in competitions like ULI Hines, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to urban innovation and professional development. 

Georgia Tech now joins an elite group of universities making an impact on urban design. The ANCHOR team will move forward to the final round, presenting their proposal to the competition jury on April 3, 2025, in Cleveland, OH. Their success in this prestigious competition highlights Georgia Tech’s commitment to shaping the future of urban development through interdisciplinary collaboration, creative problem-solving, and sustainable design. 

For more information about the ULI Hines Competition and to view all submissions, visit uli.org/hines2025gallery.