Seaholm Update

It’s important to keep in mind that, in addition to the 280-unit Seaholm condos tower, nearly all of which is under contract, Seaholm was envisioned to be a live-work-play redevelopment available to all Austinites.

The recent Seaholm Intake survey got me thinking about what the status of construction is at Seaholm proper. Among the flock of cranes that fill the Austin skyline, and construction on nearly every other corner, it is easy to lose track.

I took a recent walk through the development to see for myself whether Seaholm was transforming into an urban activity center, or was getting close.

The short answer is: it is still a construction zone.

What isn’t under construction has that bleak look and feel of freshly poured concrete, like that of a freshly minted outlet mall somewhere off of I-35. However, there are signs of life and a light at the end of the tunnel.

The condo tower expected to deliver in February 2016 – lower floors first – and continue through April/May when the upper floors will be ready.

In all, between 70 to 170 people are working at Seaholm right now on daily basis, by my guess. However, between the Under Armor and Athena – two healthy employers – the math shows that a whopping 800 people would fill the space on a daily basis. Add to that the 280 condo units, a massive multi floor restaurant, and the Seaholm will become a major hub.

What’s Going On Right Now

The Seaholm Residences tower construction remains in full swing, and is on track to be completed by March 2016. (Originally, construction was scheduled to be completed this year.)
The Front Lawn is graded and looks ready for sodding, perhaps after the summer heat passes and the sod would grow.
Trader Joe’s is open and is accessible by turning north onto Walter Seaholm Drive, off of Cesar Chavez. The passer-by wouldn’t know it was there if they were just cruising down Cesar Chavez, probably mistaking the entire area as off limits construction, but it is. A subterranean parking garage is right there once you pull in and offers a free hour if you buy something at Trader Joe’s. The grocer is also accessible at street grade with a frontage on West Third Street, and with a third entry way on the east side of the building.
An eyeglasses boutique, Optique, recently moved its doors from 360 Condos to this location facing the condo tower, and an Aveda salon is advertising next door that it is opening soon.
Meanwhile, Under Armor has opened up in the new building that also houses Trader Joe’s, and officer operations are in full swing. Likewise, operations there are also contained indoors.
The Seaholm Power Plant itself is both awake and asleep. On one hand, it’s interior was renovated to staff up to 600 Athena technology employees and there are people in there now. However, all that life is encapsulated indoors and the offices are insulated behind security-keycard doors. So it is kinda ghost-towny outside.
Umbel, a software company, subleased 20k square feet from Athena and is occupying the sapce
Boiler Nine Bar + Grill seems was scheduled to open by the end of 2014, and then sometime in May, and later sometime this fall. Now, it is scheduled for opening prior to first Seaholm move ins in February. The massive project is supposed to span 11,000 feet over four floors offering diners views from an observation deck and bar at the highest level, as well as an intimate lounge and dining experience in the lowest level underground by the original boiler room. The concept will feature three kitchens – including one with a wood-fire grill that will be open, allowing diners to watch chefs at work preparing food – and a bar on every floor.