1874 Philadelphia firehouse restored as luxury home, listed for $2.5M

A historic firehouse in Philadelphia, which once sheltered horse-drawn fire engines and had been shut down in 1953, has found a renewed purpose. The 1874-built Engine 10 firehouse in South Philadelphia has been transformed into a luxury private residence featuring exposed brick walls, reclaimed wooden floors, a three-car garage and a rooftop deck offering panoramic views of the city's skyline. The unusual property has now returned to the real estate market with an asking price of $2.5 million, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.Located on Morris Street in the East Passyunk neighbourhood, the former fire station is a reminder of Philadelphia's firefighting history. The building was originally home to Engine 10, a fire company that moved into the Morris Street station in 1874. According to the Fireman's Hall Museum, Engine 10 remained at the address until June 4, 1953, when it moved in with Ladder 11 on 12th Street. The companies later shifted to another station in 1964.After Engine 10's departure, the building eventually fell into disuse. It remained vacant for decades before plans to restore and renovate the property began around 2018, turning a neglected neighbourhood landmark into an unconventional luxury home.From abandoned firehouse to multimillion-dollar homeThe structure had already undergone an unsuccessful conversion into residential space before its more extensive restoration. In a 2021 feature, Realtor.com reported that Julie Russell purchased the firehouse in 2019 when it was in severely deteriorated condition. Russell described the building as structurally damaged, with earlier alterations having compromised parts of its interior. She and her partner, a builder, undertook the renovation to restore the property and make it suitable for modern living. The restoration retained the building's exposed brickwork while introducing contemporary residential features. The home was subsequently listed for $2.875 million in 2021.The property changed hands again in 2022, when its current owner's family purchased it for $2.75 million, according to the latest report by The Philadelphia Inquirer. It has now been listed for $2.5 million, reflecting a lower asking price than its previous listing and purchase price.What does the $2.5 million property offer?The former firehouse now has approximately 4,200 square feet of living space and a three-car garage. Its layout occupies an area that would ordinarily span four residential lots in the neighbourhood, making it considerably larger than many surrounding homes.Inside, the residence features 13-foot-high ceilings, exposed brick walls, reclaimed barnwood flooring and a floating staircase. The three-bedroom property has two full bathrooms and two additional powder rooms.The main floor includes a formal dining area, a custom-designed office and an expansive kitchen. One of its standout features is a 10-foot-long island finished in leather-textured granite. The kitchen is also equipped with a Wolf range and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.Upstairs, the primary bedroom suite has a custom-built walk-in closet and an attached bathroom featuring a soaking tub imported from France. The combination of restored architectural details and high-end fittings gives the former industrial building a distinctly contemporary residential character.The finished basement adds another layer to the property, with a wet bar and a fully equipped home gym. The gym equipment is also included in the sale.One of the most distinctive features, however, is the property's private outdoor space. Three large arched French doors in the living room open into a 600-square-foot open-air atrium, which leads towards the detached garage.The house also has a rooftop deck with a 360-degree view of the surrounding city. Listing agent Nancy Haas of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors told The Philadelphia Inquirer that residents can watch fireworks on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July from the terrace.The property has also been designed with privacy in mind. Soundproof windows at the front and a multiscreen security monitoring system are among its features.A rare property in Philadelphia's real estate marketThe house is situated close to East Passyunk Avenue and the Italian Market, two well-known neighbourhood destinations. Its location offers access to restaurants, shops and other local attractions, while also providing connectivity to Philadelphia's sports stadiums and international airport.Haas told the newspaper that the property could appeal to different categories of buyers, including young families, empty nesters and professional athletes looking for a private residence without moving away from the city's conveniences.Her husband, Michael Blowney, who is assisting with the sale, described the house as a 'unicorn property', arguing that its unusual combination of historical character, size and amenities makes it difficult to compare with other homes in the area.The property is being marketed on behalf of a relative of Haas, who purchased it in 2022 for $2.75 million. Its current asking price of $2.5 million is $250,000 lower than that purchase price.