UT-Austin Breaks Ground on 17-Story Business School

The University of Texas at Austin recently broke ground on a new, 17-story facility that will serve as the new home for the school’s McCombs School of Business, according to university news. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 10 for Mulva Hall, which will include amenities like classrooms, academic department suites, research centers, faculty offices, the dean’s office, and gathering spaces. The building is scheduled to open to students in fall 2028.

According to university news, the 373,000-square-foot facility will cost about $425 million. It will feature 29 classrooms; a collaborative learning auditorium that seats 200; three specialty education labs; and a central office tower housing the dean’s suite, administrative space, and faculty offices. The university partnered with Perkins&Will for the project’s design.

Rendering courtesy of Perkins&Will

“This is not just the start of a construction project but a new chapter in the history of the McCombs School of Business,” said Vandana Nayak, managing director of Perkins&Will’s Dallas Studio. “Perkins&Will’s design will transform the experience of students who come to McCombs, with a goal of shaping the world of business. We hope Mulva Hall becomes a landmark not just on the campus but in the lives it will touch.”

Funding comes from a combination of $50 from the McCombs reserves, $150 million from McCombs donors, and $225 million financed by the university, according to university news.

“In this strategic location, Mulva Hall will both amplify McCombs’ robust spirit of community and invite collaboration with Austin’s booming business ecosystem,” said McCombs Dean Lillian Mills. “By creating this ‘business neighborhood’ at UT, we’re deepening our connections with each other, opening our offerings to the greater Austin business community, and exponentially increasing our ability to create and share the knowledge that will change the world.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.