Construction started in two phases that began in the late 40s and for 10 years afterward, was Austin's soal source of power. At the time, post-war Austin had a population of roughly 130,000, compared to our million today. In addition, new appliances like dishwashers and air conditioners were putting an added strain on the city's already over-worked infrastructure. The plant, built to help remedy the electrical shortfall, was a three-story Art Moderne building capable of producing 100 megawatts of electricity, which was more than enough to power the city on its own. To give you some reference here, a modern-day nuclear power plant produces 582 megawatts of power. The full plant, named for Austin’s fourth city manager Walter Seaholm, was finished in 1958. And though it was originally designed to burn coal, the utility company made the switch to burning heavy crude oil before its coal bins were ever used. As more gas, nuclear, and solar power sources were adopted around the city to supplement the aging Seaholm plant, the plant's systems had grown obsolete. Therefore, in 1989, the plant ceased generating power; though it remained an active part of the region’s power grid, with a substation just north of the new central library. Today the 130,000 square feet of commercial space, anchored by a Trader Joe's, and the luxury condos of Seaholm Residences, provide a unique opportunity to be part of a cutting edge downtown neighborhood, with the best of Austin right at your fingertips.