Austin

Aspire Center

5500 W. Madison St.

Cultural/community

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Saturday

10 AM - 4 PM

Sunday

10 AM - 4 PM

Accessibility & Amenities

  • Photography Allowed
  • Restrooms Available
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Refreshments Available
  • Refreshments For Purchase

Architect

Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Year Completed

2025

OHC Appearances

2025

DETAILS:

The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation is a new collaborative hub for high-performing workforce training and wealth-building programs. The development of the Aspire Center represents a long-term investment in the people of Austin — it transforms the shuttered Emmet Elementary School into a state-of-the-art, multi-use facility where organizations will provide services to residents, community leaders, and industry employers. This community-centered adaptive reuse of the 3-acre Emmet School campus, closed in 2013, dovetails with Austin's Quality-of-Life Plan.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE:

Public spaces including the plaza, roof terrace, lobby, mezzanine, and corridors will be open to visitors. A special exhibit highlights the transformation of Emmet School, the cultural impact of the West Side, and larger changes within the Austin neighborhood. Also on view: a 120-foot mural depicting the history of the West Side, highlighting innovations in healthcare, dedication to civic engagement, and Black leadership.

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