One of Spokane’s most prominent skyline features, the Central Steam Heat Plant (“Steam Plant”) is significant for its role in the evolution of the power industry. For 70 years, the Steam Plant provided heating to more than 300 central business district structures from Deaconess Hospital (now Multicare) on the South Hill to retail businesses on the south bank of the Spokane River. Built in 1916, the Central Steam Heat Plant was made of steal-reinforced concrete and brick, 140 feet long and 83 feet side. The northeast and northwest corners contain the bases of identical 225-foot tall smokestacks that have graced the Spokane skyline for more than 100 years. By 1920, Washington Water Power (WWP) acquired the central heating system. In 1986, the Steam Plant was closed due to the high cost of repairing broken lines and oil spills. The last boiler was shut down in December of that same year. In the summer of 1996, ten years after closing, WWP formed Steam Plant Square, LLC—and assembled a bold, yet visionary team that included a Spokane design-build firm specializing in historic renovations. By virtue of creative architectural design and carefully selected demolition, the old plant was transformed into a bright architectural showcase. The development team used the Steam Plant’s unique infrastructure in the renovation, saving as much of the original machinery as possible within the rigid guidelines of historic renovation. Today, the Steam Plant is on the National Register of Historical Places. More recently, two of the remaining massive steam boilers were converted into restaurant seating and a water feature/wishing well. One of the stacks continues to be a visitor attraction, while the other is being converted into a game room.
