How about a little spark of history? The Old Turbine, once the heart of the Seaholm Power Plant, hummed with energy. It powered Austin. Now, it stands as a monument to the city’s ingenuity and growth.
The Seaholm Power Plant was commissioned in 1948. Austin needed more power after World War II. Burns & McDonnell, an engineering firm, designed the complex. Construction happened in two phases. These were in 1951 and 1955.
Originally, the Old Turbine was known as Power Plant No. 2. Then, in 1960, the city renamed it. The new name honored Walter E. Seaholm. He was important in managing Austin’s utilities.
From 1950 to 1959, the Old Turbine was Austin’s only power source. It generated 120 megawatts with five boilers running. As Austin grew, other power stations were built. The city relied less on the Old Turbine. In 1989, it stopped providing power. It became a training facility. Finally, in 1996, it closed completely.
For years, the Old Turbine sat unused. In 2004, the Austin City Council wanted to redevelop it. Seaholm Power, LLC was chosen in 2005. They would lead the redevelopment. An agreement was made in 2008. It detailed the renovations and construction.
Work on the Old Turbine began in 2013. The turbine generator building was transformed. It now holds offices, shops, and restaurants. Tenants started moving in 2015. A residential tower, Seaholm Residences, was also built. It opened in 2015 as well.
The Old Turbine was special. Its boilers were outside. But its generators were inside the turbine generator building. It had five Westinghouse turbine generators. At first, it had two 20-megawatt generators. Later, two more 20-megawatt units were added. Finally, a larger 40-megawatt unit was installed. The plant was built with underground ash pits for coal. However, it never used coal. It primarily burned natural gas.
The turbine generator building is three stories high. It faces Lady Bird Lake. The building is made of reinforced concrete. Large industrial windows let in light. Metal lettering reads City of Austin. Other lettering says Light and Power. The north side has five external boilers and smokestacks. Inside, the building has four levels. The turbine room is two stories high.
The water intake structure is on the lake shore. It looks like the generator building. It has concrete walls and large windows. The south face has ten sluice gates. These gates brought in cooling water for the plant’s steam condensers. The water was pumped to the generator building. After cooling, the water went into Shoal Creek.
Today, the Old Turbine stands as a reminder of Austin’s past. It shows how the city has grown and changed. It’s a place where history meets the present. The Old Turbine has been adapted for reuse. It’s a symbol of sustainability and innovation. It shows how old structures can be transformed. They can meet the needs of future generations. The Old Turbine stands as a point of pride. It is a reminder of Austin’s bright future.