At a certain point, as sure as rain, a city just runs out of space. And when that inevitability comes to pass, architects and city planners are faced with are two options: demolish-and-start-from-scratch, or work within the existing framework to come up with an updated, fresh-feeling design (what's known as a gut renovation, or "gut reno," among the design elite). While your city might be doing a whole lot of the former, there's one type of building that seems to be a prime and frequent candidate for the latter: midcentury firehouses.
Yes, these 20th-century relics—which were once-defunct but now serve as everything from hotels to art galleries to, depending on the depths of one's coffers, private residences—are exemplary displays of how to take the past and bring it swinging, with breathtaking beauty, into the present. For a taste of some serious architectural ingenuity and creative reconstruction, we've compiled the 20 most stunning new uses for bygone-era firehouses here. And for more jaw-dropping architecture to digest, be sure to visit these 17 American Towns So Beautiful You'll Think You're in Europe.
1 | San Francisco Fire House No. 33
117 Broad St., San Francisco, California
Built in 1906, this firehouse is now privately owned by SFFD Historical Society members and "flamboyant fire buffs" Robert and Marilyn Katzman.
2 | Duluth's historic Fire House No. 1
128 E. 4th St., Duluth, Minnesota
This former historic firehouse in Duluth, Minnesota has been converted into a desirable loft-living residential unit—now called the Firehouse Flats. And for more design inspiration, check out these 10 Palaces More Opulent Than Buckingham Palace.
Image via Zillow
3 | Logan Circle Engine House No. 7
931 R Street NW, Washington, DC
Logan Circle Engine House No. 7 is one of the original firehouses established in Washington, D.C., in the 19th century. Now, the renovated firehouse is a $2.6 million estate, and comes complete with original furnishings, like a brass fireman's pole, wooden lockers, a roof deck, and exposed brick masonry.
Image via Sotheby's
4 | East Boston fire station
64 Marion St., Boston, Massachusetts
Constructed in 1860, this firehouse is a true historical landmark in East Boston—and is now the home of a few very lucky tenants. And if you're hitting the tarmac this summer, check out The 10 Worst U.S. Airports for Summer Travel.
5 | New Orleans Historic Engine 24 Firehouse
2711 Dauphine St, New Orleans, Louisiana
From a truly unique stay, book a room at The Historic Engine 24 Firehouse, located near the French Quarter in New Orleans. With many of the original furnishings still intact—not to mention a private bar—this sprawling firehouse is great for parties and events as well.
Image via Rent by Owner
6 | Sailor's loft in Newport historic firehouse
Downtown, Newport, Rhode Island
With hidden rooms, an expansive bell tower, and 20th-century inspired décor, staying at this property is like taking a step back in time.
Image via Airbnb
7 | Lambertville, New Jersey 19th-century firehouse
12 North Main St., Lambertville, New Jersey
This two-bedroom converted firehouse is more than just a place to rest your head at night. It's a destination complete with quirky collectibles and inimitable design.
Image via Airbnb
8 | Detroit Foundation Hotel
250 W Larned St, Detroit, Michigan
For a little over a year, the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters have undergone a staggering transformation. Now, you can book your room at the newly minted Detroit Foundation Hotel, which boasts an impressive restaurant and gorgeous views of the city.
Image via Facebook
9 | Downtown Community Television Center
87 Lafayette Street, New York, New York
Founded in 1972, the Downtown Community Television Center in Manhattan, formerly a New York City firehouse, hosts a number of filmmaking events and workshops throughout the year.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
10 | Anderson Cooper's Greenwich Village home
84 West 3rd St., New York, New York
The CNN anchor spent a lot of time and effort making sure his Greenwich Village home, formerly a New York City firehouse, a perfect mix of vintage and new-age—and it looks stunning. And for more awe-inspiring feats of architecture, check out these 23 Castles So Jaw-Dropping You Won't Believe They're in the U.S.
11 | Black Ocean offices
611 Broadway, New York, New York
This converted firehouse, built in 1895, now serves as the avant-garde headquarters for multi-faceted tech startup Black Ocean, in Manhattan.
Image via Instagram
12 | Sanford Fire Station
This Sanford, Florida restored firehouse, now an opulent home, sold for more than half a million dollars.
Image via Zillow
13 | Firehouse Brewing Co.
553 Philadelphia St., Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701
South Dakota's first brewpub, Firehouse Brewing Co., is housed in one Rapid City's oldest buildings—a firehouse built in 1915.
Image via Instagram
14 | Waterwitch Hook and Ladder Company Nbr. 1.
33 East Street, Annapolis, Maryland
First constructed in 1885 as one of Annapolis' firehouses, then as the headquarters of Waterwitch Hook and Ladder Company Nbr. 1., this architecturally stunning building is now home to the luxurious Waterwitch Condominiums.
Image via Facebook
15 | Old Firehouse No. 6
2200 Harrison Avenue Muskegon, Michigan 49441
This Muskegon firehouse-turned-home is truly unique—and only sold for $199,000 just last year.
Image via Coldwell Banker
16 | Engine No. 44
3816 22nd Street, San Francisco, California
Built in 1909, the Chemical Engine House 44 in San Francisco has been real estate candy since it was renovated into this $5.7 million-dollar home.
Image via Instagram
17 | Cumberland fire station home
Rolling Mill, Cumberland, Maryland
This renovated fire station in Cumberland, Maryland, has stood the test of time—along with a few changes, including the addition of beautifully wood-paneled garage doors and a pair of artistic wrought iron balconies.
18 | Station 3 wedding venue
1919 Houston Ave, Houston, Texas
Fire Station 3 is Houston's original firehouse, built in 1903. Now, the fire station has been turned into an event space.
Image via Instagram
19 | Plaza Fire House Museum
501 N. Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, California
The Old Plaza Firehouse is the oldest firehouse in Los Angeles—and it's is currently being used as a museum to house firefighting artifacts.
20 | Centre d'histoire de Montreal
335 Place d'Youville, Montréal, Canada
The Centre d'histoire de Montreal is another firehouse-turned-museum, showcasing the city's history in a way that feels familiar to the cultural mecca—with pure sophistication. And for more swoon-worthy summer destinations, check out these 50 Destinations So Magical You Won't Believe They're in the U.S.
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