Cool way fire stations are being reinvented as trendy new homes
Warehouse conversions have been hot property among buyers looking for unique listings, and former fire stations are among the hottest.
A heritage-listed former fire station in Fairfield is currently on the market with price hopes of between $4.2m to $4.4m. Behind the century-old facade, the mixed-use 954sq m property also has approved plans for a 22-room four-storey boarding house.
Out of operation for more than a decade, a local developer bought the site in 2015 for $1.65m, however the property remains in original condition. According to its heritage statement of significance, the property is “representative of Interwar period fire stations” and “is relatively rare in local government area context”.
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This old Stanmore fire station, built in 1886, was converted into a luxury home.
The fire station home has some unique inclusions.
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Last September, a three-bedroom townhouse on Johnston St within Annandale’s ex-fire station fetched $2.2m. Home to a contemporary transformation, the slice of inner west history was in demand, according to selling agent Chris Dunn of BresicWhitney.
“There’s a strong appetite for these types of properties, particularly in the inner-city market. They are exclusive homes that only come to market occasionally,” he said, adding that the buyer pool is selective.
“It tends to be younger buyers or downsizers – anyone with an appreciation for something with more history and character, and those wanting to break away from the traditional cookie-cutter terrace aesthetic.”
Although many repurposed fire stations no longer feature their original interiors, it’s the package that draws attention.
This 1899-built fire station in Newcastle was redesigned into an architectural home.
The Newcaslte fire station won an award in 2018.
“While the facade of these homes is often striking in their commercial and industrial appeal with branding and signboards, typically speaking they have great bones and sturdy foundations internally. These spaces have the advantage of existing brickwork and timber beams, which add to the character of the home,” he said.
Regional firehouses have also been extinguished in recent years, with Newcastle’s King St premises selling for $3.325m last December. The 1899 building, originally by architect Frederick Menkens, won the heritage category of the Australian Institute of Architecture Award in 2018 thanks to a residential redesign by CKDS.
“It was a very rare property for Newcastle, but it did prove to be very popular with a number of buyers wanting a warehouse conversion.
“Although I had a lot of interest, the one challenge was the 3-year commercial lease on the ground floor with a 3-year option to extend,” said selling agent Kate Rundle of Walkom.
It’s difficult to tell from the inside of this Annandale home that it was once a fire station.
The Annandale building’s origins only become apparent on the outside.
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“People love them because they have large open layouts and high ceilings, but because of the zoning they’re not for everyone.”
Harry Bui of Colliers International, who has sold several decommissioned fire stations on behalf of NSW Fire & Rescue, said the service sees these often dilapidated buildings as redundant.
“They just don’t need them anymore as they upgrade to more modern buildings with better facilities.”
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An old station at 3 William St, Fairfield is for sale at $4m.
In 2022, Mr Bui listed the landmark Petersham Fire House – the oldest continually operating fire station in the state until its closure in 1991 – however the Stanmore Rd property was later withdrawn from sale. Since last changing hands in 2018 for $7.017m, it has been operating as a luxury Airbnb.
Also, in 2018, the Wallsend fire house sold for $635,000; in 2020 the South West Rocks station exchanged for $355,000, the Adamstown station fetched $1.225m in 2021; and last August Goulburn’s iconic original 1890s fire station sold for $775,000.
