At Untapped Cities, we have a particular interest in repurposed places. New York City has historically been adept at adaptive reuse, though there are plenty of examples of the city forgetting this particular skill too. In addition to NYC’s repurposed banks, churches, synagogues, theaters, psychiatric asylums, and parking garages, here are eight fire stations that have been converted into great uses.

1. Downtown Community Television Center, 87 Lafayette Street

This incredible chateau-like firehouse was built by Napoleon Le Brun  at a cost of $80,000 in 1896. It was home to Engine Company 31 until 1972 when it was decommissioned by the FDNY. Fortunately, it was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places ten months before, so the structure still survives today. In 1983, DCTV and the Chinese-American Planning Council purchased the building for $400,000, and performed additional restoration work.

2. Anderson Cooper’s Residence at 84 West 3rd Street

When the Fire Patrol was disbanded in 2006, its last three houses were put up for sale. Anderson Cooper purchased this former 1906 Fire Patrol House in 2010 for $4.3 million and began restoration with architect Cary Tamarkin. The once-abandoned firehouse was returned to its near-original appearance, albeit without the elevated train down W 3rd Street.

3. Andy Warhol’s Studio 159 E. 87th Street

In 1960, Hook and Ladder Company 13 moved to a new location on East 85th Street.  In 1962, Andy Warhol rented the entire firehouse on E. 87th Street for $150 and used the second floor as his first real studio. In this firehouse, he worked on the famous portraits of Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley.

You can see the 1966 certificate of occupancy in the NYC Department of Buildings which lists it as an art gallery. There isn’t too much information about its current usage, but NYC Planning and Street Easy records show it’s not abandoned. It was rented out in 2010 but is not currently listed.

4. The New York City Fire Museum 278 Spring Street

The Friends of the New York City Fire Department Collection was created for the purpose of renovating the former quarters of Engine Company No. 30 into a museum. In 1987, the New York City Fire Museum opened its doors in this 1904 Beaux-Arts firehouse on Spring Street.

The collection tells the story of the FDNY from the colonial Dutch days to now, covering the evolution from volunteer to paid municipal departments, with a permanent 9/11 Memorial as well. Read more about its collection here.

5. Black Ocean, 240 West 30th Street

This 1894-1895 fire patrol house built in the Flemish Revival style at 240 West 30th Street is now an office for Black Ocean, an entrepreneurial e-commerce and digital company.

6. Brusco Realty 766 Amsterdam Avenue

This unassuming old fire station, once Hook and Ladder Company 22, is home to a real estate firm called Brusco Realty. After its decommission it was used as a truck garage with offices. According to Daytonian in Manhattan, the windows have been replaced and the first floor somewhat altered but the handsome building retains its architectural integrity.

7. Chamber’s Beauty Spa 160 Chambers Street

160 Chambers Street was built in 1862 and was originally the Third Precinct Police Station. In 1875, it was taken over by the House of Relief but by 1894 was too crowded and unsanitary to function as a hospital. The NYC Fire Department took over and renovated the building for Engine Company 29.

Two decades later, the house was decommissioned and was used as a lumber and building materials yard on the ground floor. In 1983 it was converted into commercial space and apartments. Today, it’s the location of Chamber’s Beauty Spa.

8. Metropolitan Social Club 1198 Metropolitan Avenue

This former fire house in Brooklyn for Engine Company No. 206 has been converted into a loft apartment and is currently rented. For a period of time, it functioned as the Metropolitan Social Club, a DIY music venue. With an elevated section, it was perfect for wild parties. As per the comment below from the NYC Fire Museum, Engine Company 206 was formerly known as Engine 6 in the old Brooklyn Fire Department system and dates from 1869.

Next check out NYC’s repurposed banks, churches, synagogues, theaters, psychiatric asylums, and parking garages!