Firehouse Residence

Interior Architecture- Large Scale (>5,000 sf)

Project Narrative

Our clients for this renovation were two empty nesters, ready to ditch the suburbs for more exciting and active urban living. They were relocating from a country club adjacent, traditional Tudor home, and were hesitant to forego all the amenities this setting affords. Lost in the sea of possibility, they needed guidance to balance loft-living and the comforts to which they were accustomed. We were selected based on our portfolio of adaptive re-use projects and a long history of breathing new life into abandoned structures. The unique challenge of this project was transforming an 11,000 square foot vacant historic firehouse into an inviting, single-family home.

We landed on the concept of the industrial retreat, approaching the building with simple but impactful interventions. The shell provided bones that anchored the design. Concrete floors, rough brick walls, and exposed structural steel formed a distinctive framework. The rich, organic palette was woven through and around this existing lattice. A two-story corten steel fireplace is the heart of the home, providing literal and material warmth. The walnut slab, plaster hood, and honed granite counters bring in natural textures at a large scale in the adjacent kitchen and dining area.

Designed for entertaining, the living space is surrounded by window seating, providing a perch with a view and an inviting spot for conversation. Overlooking the living space, the mezzanine library provides an intimate nook to hide away. Off the main living space, the primary suite offers a private sanctuary that has the ability to be either connected or secluded from the rest of the home by oversized sliding doors. The entertainment features extend to the roof, where the penthouse creates a quiet refuge of outdoor living. In this hidden oasis, our clients are able to connect with the energy of the city while enjoying an unobstructed sunset.