(Fire)house Lust: Live Out Your ‘Ghostbusters’ Dreams in This Gorgeous Fire Station
Providence is seeking proposals to develop the old Humboldt Fire Station on the East Side into housing.
The 1906 Humbolt Fire Station in Providence may soon be developed into apartments. Photo courtesy of the Providence Preservation Society.
If you’ve ever wanted to live in a firehouse, Ghostbusters-style, now’s your chance.
Providence is seeking proposals to develop the stunning Humboldt Fire Station on the East Side into housing. The two-story building has been largely vacant since 2017, when the city closed it along with another one on Rochambeau Avenue, citing low call volume.
Built in 1906 in the Beaux Arts style, the block and brick structure features verdigris copper trim, elaborate cornices and Ionic pilasters. It was designed by architect Edwin T. Banning, who also designed the Roger Williams Park Casino and Temple Beth-El, both in Providence. It’s at 155 Humboldt Ave., just steps from Blackstone Boulevard, Wayland Square and the Seekonk River.
The 8,000-square-foot structure is being sold as-is.
“Structurally, it’s very sound. The envelope is closed to the elements, and it was built to take a beating,” says Nick Cicchitelli, the city’s director of real estate. “So this is both a beautiful building from an architectural heritage of old Providence, and one that can also support a lot of weight.”
While the city would entertain a single-family proposal, Mayor Brett Smiley’s preference is to see the property developed into two to four residential units, Cicchitelli says. Zoning rules also allow for live-work spaces and home-based businesses; any plans for student housing or short-term rentals will be rejected.
There’s been robust interest so far: Twenty-six people turned out for a tour of the property on Tuesday, Cicchitelli said.
The city closed the station in 2017, but firefighters still used the building to fill air tanks until a few weeks ago, when the air supply unit moved into the renovated North Main Street fire station.
The building has made the Providence Preservation Society’s list of Most Endangered Properties twice: once in 2017 and again in 2023. Society representatives are hopeful that redevelopment will keep it from landing on the list a third time.
“We’d be eager to see the Humboldt Fire Station adaptively reused and brought back to life,” says Katy Pickens, a project manager with PPS. “We are hopeful that with this redevelopment effort, it can stay off the list for good.”
Proposals are due Dec. 1, with final bid selection set for Dec. 19. The Providence City Council must approve any proposal and the final sale.
For more information, visit providenceri.gov.
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