HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business has signed a 30,000-SF lease on the sixth floor of the former Marathon Oil headquarters building near CityCentre for the future home of its Working Professional MBA Program in Houston.
The Hildebrand MBA Program at Texas McCombs will relocate to the recently built office tower at 990 Town & Country Blvd. in Fall 2026. The new office, located about 13 miles west of downtown Houston, represents a $13 million commitment over the next decade, according to the university.
“This move represents a significant, earnest investment in our students who live and work in Houston,” Urooj Khan, Texas McCombs’ associate dean for MBA programs, said in a news announcement. “This represents more than a real estate decision. Houston is where some of the most important business innovations are happening, and our students are at the center of it. Our commitment to this facility reflects our commitment to being part of Houston’s economic leadership for decades to come.”
Houston-based MetroNational acquired the 442,042-SF, Class AA office building in August as an expansion of its west Houston holdings, which also include Memorial City and the retail component of CityCentre. The 15-story tower was built in 2022 as the headquarters for Marathon Oil, which moved out following the company’s acquisition by ConocoPhillips in 2024.
The Working Professional MBA Program, which has operated in Houston since August 2005, is currently located at UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing in the Texas Medical Center. The 21-month program includes three academic intensives at the UT campus in Austin, classes in Houston on alternating weekends, and a seven-day global studies course.
More than 17,000 McCombs alumni live in the Houston area, including about 1,700 who earned their degree through the Houston MBA program, according to the university. The campus will also serve as a meeting place for alumni.
The new Energy Corridor location at the southeast corner of Beltway 8 and the Katy Freeway is at the epicenter of west Houston. The building’s attached parking and Katy Freeway location will provide advantages for busy students. It is adjacent to shopping, dining and offices at the CityCentre mixed-use development.
“When you’re learning finance on Saturday and presenting to your board on Tuesday, location and logistics matter,” said Joe Stephens, Texas McCombs senior assistant dean and director of the Working Professional and Executive MBA programs. “This world-class facility removes every possible friction point so our students can focus on what they came here for.”
Texas McCombs’ new space spans the sixth floor of the building and has access to a terrace with city views. The space will have two classrooms with seating for 70 students in each, a 7,000-SF multipurpose area, staff offices, and eight study rooms.
The Working Professional MBA Program is under the umbrella of the Hildebrand MBA Program at Texas McCombs, which is named for Houston philanthropist and UT alumna Mindy Hildebrand who donated $20 million last year. The Working Professional MBA is ranked No. 3 by Fortune and No. 6 by U.S. News & World Report for part-time MBAs.
Another Texas university selected CityCentre for its Houston MBA program. Texas A&M University Mays Business School launched its Professional MBA program in Houston at CityCentre One in 2012. CityCentre opened in 2009.
While Houston’s office market has struggled with vacancies, modern buildings in prime locations near in-demand amenities are doing well.
Another multi-tenant office building is going up next to 990 Town & Country Blvd. Midway is developing CityCentre Six, a 320,000-SF office building planned for completion this spring. The building will be anchored by Dow Chemical.
Last fall, MetroNational acquired the 309,144-SF retail component of the CityCentre mixed-use development in West Houston. Developed by the Midway company, CityCentre, located at the southeast corner of Interstate 10 and Beltway 8, is a 47-acre, pedestrian-oriented development.
Jan. 14, 2026 Realty News Report Copyright 2026
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File:UT Business School Opening at City Centre