UTHealth MSB TBL Renovation in Houston, TX

UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School is undergoing an interior tenant remodel of 8,737 square feet in the basement of the existing building at 6431 Fannin in the Medical Center Area of Houston. The project, registered with TDLR as UTHealth MSB TBL Renovation, involves creating a multi-purpose classroom space designed to accommodate 240 students. The scope of work specifies that there is no change in the primary function of the building, focusing strictly on the interior alteration of the existing structure.

The estimated cost for this renovation is $4,000,000, which calculates to $458 per square foot. This figure is above the Harris County median of $80 per square foot for renovation and alteration filings. The scheduled construction window is 210 days, which is longer than the county median of 92 days for similar projects. The University of Texas System is the owner of record, and SmithGroup is the design firm responsible for the project’s planning and documentation.

Project Status and Timeline

TDLR completed the plan review process in October 2025. Construction was scheduled to begin in January 2026, with a completion date listed in the filing for August 2026. Although the scheduled completion date has passed, TDLR has not yet recorded a final inspection. Consequently, the current state of the site is not confirmed in the public record. The project status remains Review Complete, indicating that the administrative review phase is finished, but physical completion has not been verified by the state agency.

The registered accessibility specialist for this project is William T Winning. The project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project, which triggers specific reporting requirements under Texas law. SmithGroup has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $25,839,969, including work at UT Tyler and Memorial Hermann. The University of Texas System has six other registered projects totaling $10,506,000, spanning locations in San Antonio and Dallas. This project fits within a broader pattern of institutional development by the UT System across the state.

Local businesses in the immediate area include Southwest Orthopedic Group, Houston Dermatology Associates, and The Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Hermann. Lodging options nearby include the Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District and Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center. The ZIP code 77030 has a population of about 12,976, with a median household income of $79,415. Housing in this area is mostly renter-occupied, with a median owner-occupied home value of $614,100. These demographic figures are U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates and provide context for the surrounding neighborhood's economic profile.