Houston is the fourth most populous city in the country with 2.3 million residents, and the fastest growing major metro in the South. It is projected to overtake Chicago within the decade.
Third in the country behind only New York and Chicago, Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 headquarters
The Houston metro produces more GDP than countries like Sweden, Argentina, and the UAE. It is the largest city economy in Texas and one of the ten largest in the United States.
Hines is a leading global real estate investment manager. We own and operate $91.7 billion¹ of assets across property types and on behalf of a diverse group of institutional and private wealth clients. Every day, our 4,600 employees in 30 countries draw on our 69-year history to build the world forward by investing in, developing, and managing some of the world’s best real estate.
Alumni: 9
2025/26 Houston Site Visits: La Combe d'Or, Texas Tower
The world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, based on 2022 revenue. It operates in over 100 countries, serving occupiers, investors, and owners with leasing, property management, investment management, and valuation services.
Alumni: 14
2025/26 Houston Site Visits: CBRE Memorial City
Leading global professional services firm specializing in commercial real estate and investment management, operating in over 80 countries with over 113,000 employees. Founded in 1783, it provides comprehensive services—including leasing, property management, project management, and technology solutions—for diverse property types
Alumni: 5
2025/26 Houston Site Visits: TBD
American real estate developer who revolutionized the industry through "speculative building"—constructing properties without pre-leased tenants. As founder of Trammell Crow Company (1948), he became the nation's largest private landlord by 1971, developing landmark hotels, warehouses, and office towers, including Dallas’ Anatole Hotel and San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center.
Alumni: 2
2025/26 Houston Site Visits: Rone Residence
Be sure to join the Rice Real Estate Association to to gain access to the field guide to the firms, functions, and capital shaping Houston real estate. Mapping the real estate ecosystem to help Rice Business students navigate a complex and fragmented industry with clarity and confidence.
