Firehouse Townhouse Sells: Former Manhattan station fetches $19m; includes underground jazz club

A former Manhattan fire station that has found a second life as a luxury townhouse, complete with an underground jazz club, has sold for $19 million. Located at 78 Morton Street in New York’s West Village, the historic property dates back to 1864 and once served as a base for a volunteer firefighting company. The sale was first reported by Mansion Global on February 9, 2026. Property records and real estate listings, including those published by PincusCo and Sotheby’s International Realty, also provide details of the transaction and the building’s transformation from a firehouse into a private residence.From firehouse to private residenceThe building was originally constructed for Howard Engine Company No. 34, a volunteer firefighting unit that later became part of New York’s organised fire service. According to Village Preservation, the company was established in the early 19th century and eventually became known as Engine Company No. 24. The firehouse continued to serve the neighbourhood for more than a century before being decommissioned in 1975. It then remained vacant for several years, with its former firefighting role eventually giving way to an entirely different purpose.In 2012, the property was converted into a single-family townhouse, retaining elements of its original industrial character while being adapted for modern living. Its historic brick exterior, large windows and original firehouse entrance doors remain among its distinctive features.A townhouse with an underground jazz clubThe five-level residence combines historic architecture with contemporary interiors. One of its most unusual features is a private jazz club on the lowest level, complete with a performance stage, decorative murals and space for guests. The property also has a four-car garage that can be used as a gallery or workspace, making it more versatile than a conventional townhouse. A private elevator connects the different floors, while a spiral staircase adds to the building's original character.The main entertaining area is particularly striking, with 26-foot-high ceilings, exposed wooden beams, brick walls and expansive windows. The kitchen opens towards an outdoor terrace, creating a connection between the interior living spaces and the garden. The upper floors accommodate three bedrooms, including a primary suite, while the top level provides access to a rooftop terrace. Altogether, the property has more than 2,000 square feet of outdoor space, including its garden and rooftop areas.The house was previously featured by New York real estate publication 6sqft in April 2025, when it was listed for $21 million. Its coverage highlighted the basement jazz club, four-car garage and private outdoor spaces as some of the residence's defining features.A sale below its previous purchase priceThe property had an interesting ownership history before its latest transaction. The seller acquired it in 2020 for approximately $19.92 million and subsequently undertook an extensive interior makeover. The renovations introduced original artwork, mirror installations and a custom kitchen with distinctive kaleidoscope-inspired cabinetry. The underground entertainment space also became a prominent feature of the home's updated design.The townhouse returned to the market in April 2025 with an asking price of $21 million. It eventually went into contract in October before changing hands for $19 million in February 2026. According to PincusCo's property records, the transaction was recorded on February 5, 2026. The buyer was identified through a limited liability company, rather than an individual purchaser.Despite its transformation into a luxury home, the building remains a reminder of the West Village's firefighting history, offering a glimpse into how some of New York's older civic buildings have found entirely new lives.