For the more than 100 undergraduates in the George Washington University School of Business real estate program, site visits have become a cornerstone of the curriculum.
On April 24, the Commercial Real Estate Network (CREN) stepped off campus to witness the D.C. market in action. Hosted by alumnus Shea Byers, GW Business ’13, CEO of J Street Companies and Center for Real Estate Studies advisory board member, the trek offered students a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a government office renovation currently under J Street’s management.
The visit served as a masterclass in urban development, providing a real-world example of the technical and political intricacies of the D.C. market. By observing an active project in a live, high-pressure environment, students were able to see the direct application of their curriculum to the complexities of modern real estate.
“It’s great to see the alumni of the program who want to give back and support us as students,” said Meher Sobhani, a finance major with a concentration in real estate at GW Business. “Being on the site lets you learn so much more about the construction process than a textbook ever could. You can learn these concepts through an Excel spreadsheet, but being here in person lets you see what those numbers actually translate to.”
Under the guidance of Byers and the team from Pizzano Contractors, students explored the unique hurdles of developing for government agencies. In a city where security is paramount, the group learned that modernizing a federal workspace is a massive logistical and financial puzzle.
Byers walked students through the reality of multi-year developments, where keeping a project within a specified budget is a constant balancing act against evolving building codes and shifting government requirements. The students saw firsthand the challenge of managing diverse agencies within a single building—each with its own specialized needs and high-level security expectations. For Byers, this was a special opportunity.
“When I came to Washington, D.C. in 2010, the real estate market had collapsed and I was essentially starting over... new to the city, rebuilding my career and looking for direction,” Byers said. “The Executive MBA program at the George Washington University gave me hope, introduced me to lifelong friends and business relationships and ultimately connected me to the principals at J Street, which changed the trajectory of my career.”
“Having young GW students tour a commercial building we’re now repositioning in D.C. was a true full-circle moment for me. I always say, ‘D.C. made me,’” Byers added.
The trek also served as a window into the evolving culture of the industry. Despite the rise of AI in some sectors, Byers and the students discussed why the "human element"—on-the-ground problem solving and deep-rooted networking—remains irreplaceable.
The diversity of the group was also on full display, with more women participating in the trek than men. The group engaged in candid discussions about the site experience; while a construction site can be intimidating at first, Byers and the team emphasized that the daily collaboration and time spent on-site eventually turns the project crew into a "family."
The visit underscored the vast career paths available to GW Business real estate graduates, from acquisitions and lending to project management. Byers emphasized that "being on the ground" is the only way to truly learn the unique challenges of each individual project.
Opportunities like this, spearheaded by alumni who remain deeply invested in the next generation, ensure that GW Business students aren't just learning the numbers—they are gaining the vision required to shape the future of the nation's capital.