It’s an electric experience to explore historic spaces. You get to glimpse the past around you from the safety of modern day — and sometimes even taste history with food and drink recipes recorded centuries ago.
But some hospitality groups are lighting up the past on a whole other level.
These five restaurants have transformed former power plants into unforgettable dining experiences that leave guests glowing with bliss:.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s Riverside Powerplant lit up the ‘Hostess City of the South’ from 1912 to 2005. After sitting vacant for a decade, a $270m conversion turned this former power plant into the stunning JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Marriott Hotel. Climb to the roof and you’ll find the Electric Moon Skytop Lounge overlooking the Savannah River. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city before taking a slide down to the bar’s ‘adult playground’.
Västerås, Sweden
Just over an hour west of Stockholm in Västerås, Sweden, this renovated 1917 power plant is now home to the 263-room Steam Hotel. Its 18 stories overlooks Lake Mälaren and hides a treasure trove of experiences to discover, including an orangeri bar (think of it as an indoor greenhouse just for citrus) and ‘Kokpunkten Actionbad’ — an indoor, adventure water park. Imaginative art-deco features can be found throughout the hotel, including the Turbine Lounge Gin Bar that features a tucked away, intimate 21-seat cinema.
Austin, Texas
The Seaholm Power Plant helped power Austin for four decades since the 1950’s. But it sat empty for 20 more years before being given new life with apartments, office spaces, and Ember Kitchen, a live-fire, Latin inspired restaurant. The multi-level restaurant occupies the space where the ninth boiler once resided, but now a charcoal Josper oven provides the heat. On the lower level, guests can also sip on a ‘siente el fuego’ (feel the fire) cocktail in the Subterra Agave bar.
Brisbane, Australia
Seeking a power plant dining experience that’s even more daring? Vertigo in the Brisbane Powerhouse has you covered. Here, diners are strapped into climbing harnesses and enjoy their meal on a ledge — four stories up. Those seeking an extra shot of adrenaline can be lowered down the side of the building after their meal. Originally constructed in the 1920’s alongside the Brisbane River, the Brisbane Powerhouse was left abandoned for decades until 2000, when it was brought back to life as an arts and concert venue.
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Built in 1949, the Bailey Power Plant was redeveloped in 2018 to become a massive retail complex with dozens of restaurants, cafés, retail, and an outdoor space for events. Perched neatly between the two smoke stacks of the renovated building is the newest tenant, Dutch Light. This cocktail lounge uses herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowers from its sister company, Dutch Greens, to create its seasonal menu and signature cocktails — like The Smokestack, made with scotch, vermouth, tobacco bitters, and smoked with cherrywood.