Seaholm Power Plant

Seaholm District, a former industrial area that housed the Seaholm Power Plant and the Thomas Green Water Treatment Plant is being transformed into new apartments, condos, restaurants, shops, offices, a hotel, a public library, even a Trader Joe’s.
Another exciting restaurant/​bar addition will be the opening of Boiler Nine Bar + Grill. The project will span 11,000 feet over 4 floors with views from an observation deck and bar at the highest level.
They will have an intimate lounge and dining in the lowest level underground by the original boiler room featuring 3 kitchens, even one with an open wood-​fire grill to allow diners to watch chefs at work, plus a bar on every floor.
They are slated to open Spring 2016. Watch for my review.

Some developers with a lot of money and very little vision looked at this beautiful, historic landmark next to Town lake and the first thought that came to their heads was: «We need more condos.»
So now it seems this building is going to be used for more condos, an office building for a healthcare company, a Trader Joes, a few retail shops, some commercial spaces for dentists, salons, etc. (Yawn).
I’m sure these shops will serve Austin well, but the opportunity for so much more was completely squandered. Think Eataly or Chelsea Market in New York, the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Grand Central Market in LA, the Oxbow Public Market in Napa, Pike Place in Seattle. The Power Plant could have been a great American food hall and community and destination for families. Or it could have become the setting for a world-​class art museum, like the Tate Modern. Seaholm could have supported local farmers, artists, and chefs. But instead, we get more freakin’ condos. What a waste.

This place gets four stars on potential alone. Had the opportunity to take a tour of this facility. It is full of dark rooms with endless possibilities of hidden treasures and/​or frights. It sounds like the Austin Power Plant is going to become a renovated building ready for different businesses to move in. Can’t wait to see the finished product.

Went to a benefit here and it was awesome. It’s totally Gotham City up in this joint. I definitely want to attend more events here.

Another year in the books. Mr. Smidgens and Quinn B. went to the SPP for a New Years bash.
We were treated to empanadas, caprese kabobs, and sweet treats!
We were given 4 drink tickets that were only for champagne. We went straight to the bar and ordered whiskey on the rocks and vodka-​cran.
Yes, we passed on the champagne. Why you ask… Why not? I say.
We did a quick survey of the area as we moved to the beats from NASA.
Noticing the plywood planks laid out as the party floor we could see there were a few hot spots that would pose a hazard to our soon to be fellow party goers. They did not disappoint. We saw girls stumble and tumble their way in and guys trying to fly as they just caught the tip of their freshly shined shoes.
As we grew bored with the acrobatic skills of the strangers afar we noticed a few newcomers barley dressed at all. Some were dancers for all to see that were hired to entertain and then there were 2 silver shiny girls one with pink hair… the other with green. They stood out and made their way onstage to dance with two guys dressed as fish-​men. They moved and grooved to the beats of Ladytron.
I have to say NASA did a better job with the beats than Ladytron but we still danced like our lives depended on it. We brought in the new year with a toast and a kiss as we bid adieu to 2010.
Sadly this was the last event at the SPP due to the Seaholm redevelopment project. The area around the SPP will be transformed into an area not unlike the Domain.
It was a great place for venues. I hope they start up again once the project is complete.

Very eerie and abandoned.
I went to the Zombie Ball this year at the power plant. It was very spacious. The space had a scary feel to it. It could have been since the place was decorated for Halloween. At one point I leaned over the balcony and looked at the first floor below us and it was very scary. I thought it was a great place to have the Zombie Ball.

We went to the power plant for the 2010 Zombie Ball. The absolute perfect place for a Halloween event!!! Industrial and edgy, the plywood covered floors and built in bars make the look complete. If you ever get a chance to attend an event here, it is a MUST do!