--- title: "From Highland Mall to ACC Highland: The Campus Story" description: "How Highland Mall became ACC Highland, from the 1971 opening to Phase 2 in 2021, with the campus today and its distance from Centro Studio Homes." url: https://centro.multisites.ai/blog/from-highland-mall-to-acc-highland publisher: Centro Studio Homes phone: +17373178369 tour: https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour --- ![Centro leasing office building with its arched entry and agave](https://centro.multisites.ai/_astro/leasing-exterior.BcsgoZW5_Z1pq15u.webp) # From Highland Mall to ACC Highland: The Campus Story Highland Mall opened in 1971. Austin Community College began buying parts of it in 2010 and finished in late 2012. The first phase of ACC Highland opened in 2014 and the mall closed in 2015. Phase 2 opened in 2021. The campus sits about 0.6 miles from Centro in a straight line. Published November 2, 2026 ## When did Highland Mall become ACC Highland? The change took four years of buying and building. ACC began buying sections of the mall in 2010 and finished in late 2012. The first phase of ACC Highland opened in 2014, and the mall closed in 2015. Phase 2 opened in 2021. Austin Community College (ACC) tells the story on its Highland project site. The mall opened in 1971. ACC describes it as “Austin’s largest regional shopping center and the city’s first indoor mall.” Here is ACC’s own timeline, in short form. Year What ACC lists 1971 Highland Mall opens 2010 Dillard’s building and 18 acres purchased 2011 Macy’s and JC Penney’s buildings purchased 2012 Highland Mall ground lease and remaining acres purchased 2014 ACC Highland Campus (Phase 1) opens 2015 Highland Mall closes 2017 ACC Highland Building 4000 opens 2020 Jacob Fontaine Plaza opens 2021 Phase 2, Corporate/Academic building and parking garage open Source for the table: ACC’s Highland project page, linked below. ## How big was the mall property? ACC says it bought “1.3 million square feet of indoor space on 81 acres.” The college then began turning the mall building into a campus. It also began shaping the land around it into a mixed-use area. ACC calls the result a place that “includes parks and trails, apartments, office space, restaurants, and shops.” Its numbers for the whole project list 3 new parks and 1.25 miles of trails. They also list 800,000 square feet of office space, 150,000 square feet of retail space and 1,200 residential units “with affordable housing options.” These are ACC’s project figures. We did not confirm what is built today. ## What is ACC Highland today? ACC Highland is a working campus at 6101 Highland Campus Dr., Austin, TX 78752. ACC says it was “transformed from what was once Highland Mall.” The campus page lists career-technical training and general education courses meant for university transfer, plus a large arts curriculum. The arts programs ACC names are culinary arts, fashion design, music, radio-TV-film, game design, visual communications, jewelry, drama and dance. ACC also lists the Texas A&M Engineering Academy sponsored by Samsung Austin Semiconductor, a Bioscience Incubator and a Fashion Incubator. The ACCelerator learning hub has more than 600 computer stations, per ACC. You can read the short version in our [ACC Highland](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/acc-highland) glossary entry. For campus hours, see ACC’s page. Hours change, and ACC posts the current ones. ## How far is ACC Highland from Centro? ACC Highland is about 0.6 miles from Centro in a straight line. On foot the route is 1.2 miles, which Google walking data showed as 26 to 28 minutes on 2026-11-02. The walking route goes around the I-35 frontage road. Trip from 824 Camino La Costa Distance Basis Straight line about 0.6 miles Census geocode to the campus address On foot 1.2 miles, 26 to 28 min Google walking data, 2026-11-02 Drive 1.2 miles, about 3 min drive estimate without traffic The drive time is an estimate with no traffic. I-35 can add time at peak hours. For bus routes and the walk in detail, read [Getting to ACC Highland From Centro](https://centro.multisites.ai/blog/getting-to-acc-highland-from-centro). ## What else is close to the old mall site? Highland Station on the MetroRail Red Line sits directly across the street from Highland Mall, according to Wikipedia. Centro is 0.70 miles from the station in a straight line and 1.3 miles on foot, which Google showed as 28 to 33 minutes. Our [Highland Station](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/highland-station) entry explains the stop. Our post on [riding the Red Line from Highland Station](https://centro.multisites.ai/blog/riding-the-red-line-from-highland-station) covers the train. To see the wider area, read the [Highland neighborhood guide](https://centro.multisites.ai/blog/highland-neighborhood-guide) and our [Highland neighborhood](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/highland-neighborhood) entry. The mailing area is [ZIP code 78752](https://centro.multisites.ai/glossary/zip-code-78752). ## What does Centro cost near ACC Highland? Centro lists homes starting at $699. Studios on the 1st floor run $729 to $1,114 and studios on the 2nd floor run $699 to $1,099 per month as listed on 2026-11-02. Prices change daily, so check current pricing. See [floor plans](https://centro.multisites.ai/floorplans) for what is open now. ## Next step Want to see the walk to campus yourself? [Book a tour](https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour) or call (737) 317-8369. We will answer your questions about the studios and fees. ## Questions renters ask When did Highland Mall become ACC Highland? ACC began buying sections of the mall in 2010 and bought the last portion in late 2012. The first phase of ACC Highland opened in 2014. The mall closed in 2015. Phase 2 and a Corporate/Academic building opened in 2021, per ACC's own timeline. What is the ACC Highland address? ACC Highland is at 6101 Highland Campus Dr., Austin, TX 78752. The campus phone number is 512-223-7300. Check ACC's campus page for current hours, since campus hours can change. How far is ACC Highland from Centro? About 0.6 miles in a straight line from 824 Camino La Costa. On foot the route is 1.2 miles, which Google walking data on 2026-11-02 showed as 26 to 28 minutes. The walk goes around the I-35 frontage road. What does ACC Highland offer? ACC lists career-technical training and university-transfer courses, plus arts programs such as culinary arts, fashion design, music, radio-TV-film, game design, visual communications, jewelry, drama and dance. It also lists the ACCelerator learning lab. ## Sources 1. [Austin Community College: The Future of ACC Highland](https://sites.austincc.edu/highland/)Highland Mall opened in 1971 as Austin’s largest regional shopping center and the city’s first indoor mall. 2. [Austin Community College: The Future of ACC Highland](https://sites.austincc.edu/highland/)In 2010, ACC formed a partnership with RedLeaf Properties and began purchasing sections of the mall complex 3. [Austin Community College: The Future of ACC Highland](https://sites.austincc.edu/highland/)The college purchased the last portion of the mall infrastructure in late 2012 4. [Austin Community College: The Future of ACC Highland timeline](https://sites.austincc.edu/highland/)2021 • ACC Highland Phase 2 + Corporate/Academic building + Parking Garage open 5. [Austin Community College: The Future of ACC Highland](https://sites.austincc.edu/highland/)1,200 residential units with affordable housing options 6. [Austin Community College: Highland Campus](https://www.austincc.edu/campuses/highland-campus/)Highland Campus is ACC’s premier learning destination, transformed from what was once Highland Mall into a national model for innovative learning, sustainability, and training facilities. 7. [Austin Community College: Highland Campus](https://www.austincc.edu/campuses/highland-campus/)Programs include the culinary arts, fashion design, music, radio-TV-film, game design, visual communications, jewelry, drama, dance, and more. 8. [Austin Community College: Highland Campus](https://www.austincc.edu/campuses/highland-campus/)6101 Highland Campus Dr. 9. [Wikipedia: Highland station (CapMetro Rail)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_station_(CapMetro_Rail))It is located in northeast Austin at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Highland Mall Boulevard, just northwest of the I-35/ Highway 290 interchange directly across the street from Highland Mall. ## Come see your studio. Tour in person or by live video. Book a time and we will show you the studios available now. [Book a tour](https://centro.multisites.ai/scheduletour) [(737) 317-8369](tel:+17373178369) Leasing office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, closed.