Who hasn't wanted to buy a firehouse and convert it into a home? Like Cristina and Owen's Seattle firehouse on Grey's Anatomy, and—in the real world—CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, with his NYC conversion, one hurdle has always been scarcity: there are only so many firehouses out there, and most of them are still needed to, well, actually fight fires. Occasionally, though, a city updates an older building with a new one, and for those looking for a rare opportunity, next month in Chicago, nearly one dozen firehouses will hit the auction block.
On the surface, the asking prices, most in the $300K range, might sound reasonable, but before anyone gets out those checkbooks, be forewarned that converting a decommissioned firehouse is an ambitious undertaking, regardless of purchase price. Far from move-in-ready, the firehouses included in the lot will all need a thorough gut. Check out a sampling of Chicago's offering in the gallery above; for the historically inclined, pay special attention to 5714 N. Avenue. Built in 1928, this one has all the terra cotta details one might want, plus it's landmarked and currently zoned for small-scale retail development. Another, The Pullman firehouse at 601-627 E. 108th Street, has sat vacant for 50 years. Above, a look.
—Spencer Lamm
· Fire Sale: Vacant Firehouses On The Market Around The City [DNAinfo]
· 5714 N. Ridge Ave. [City Of Chicago]
· The Pullman firehouse [City Of Chicago]
· Behind the Black Door with Anderson Cooper at 84 West 3rd [Curbed]