Disused fire stations becoming hot property
Old fire stations that have outgrown their original purpose are being listed on the property market for millions.
Both commercial and residential developers are eyeing the often historic buildings for office, retail, accommodation and housing redevelopments.
One such example on the market is a heritage-listed fire station at Ropes Crossing, in Sydney’s west, with a price guide of $2.3 million to $2.5 million.
The Ropes Crossing site will be accessible from the future Western Connector Road, linking it to two residential precincts. Photo: Supplied
The property, at the corner of Ropes Crossing Boulevard and Western Connector Road, on a 3629-square metre block, was part of a 4.2-hectare site which had been subdivided into five lots. The owner, York Developments, led by Gerry Burges, paid $4.15 million for the 4.2-hectare site in 2016, Domain Group records show.
Savills selling agent Leigh Burges said although the building was heritage-listed, the new owners could extend and renovate the 450-square-metre structure, as long as the façade was retained.
“We’ve had a couple of inquiries that may look at renovating it for a nice family restaurant or a small tavern type of use,” he said.
“It’s surrounded by residential and there’s a new connector road which is currently being built which will join up to Jordan Springs and the new Lendlease development Jordan Springs East, so very shortly, there will be lots of passing traffic.”
A concept image of a potential conversion of the old Ropes Crossing fire station into a “retro” restaurant. Image: Supplied
A developer paid $1.15 million for the former Mount Druitt fire station. Photo: Supplied
Mr Burges said buyers liked fire stations because of their potential to be reinvented into something unique.
“A lot of (the interest) has got to do with the actual building itself, obviously it’s got a retro feel and when they renovate it, they do quite well,” he said.
“This building does have the old lookout tower at the back of the building so once it’s renovated, it will become quite a centralised focal point for Ropes Crossing.”
Meanwhile, in a neighbouring suburb, Fire and Rescue NSW has offloaded one of its former fire stations at 32 Varian Street, Mount Druitt, for $1.15 million, more than $430,000 above the reserve price.
The site, which has no development approval, was snapped at auction on March 24. Five of the 10 registered bidders battled fiercely, with 55 bids streaming in.
All the bidders were developers, Colliers International selling agent Harry Bui said, and the new owners, based in Mount Druitt, want to demolish the building to develop two pairs of duplexes.
“In that precinct, it’s all duplexes, so (development sites) will definitely be sought after,” he said.
This former fire station in Sydney’s Hurstville was converted into offices. Photo: Supplied
Closer to the city, a 132-year-old fire station at 308-314 Stanmore Road, Petersham, is on the market with development approval for a 13-room boutique hotel.
The former Stanmore Fire Station in Sydney’s inner west has kept much of its original façade and is currently being used as a private six-bedroom residence by the owner.
Fire stations repurposed for commercial use have also become hot property. The Old Fire Station at 78/23 MacMahon Street, Hurstville, which was converted into eight offices, sold under the hammer for $1.89 million in September 2017, Domain Group records show – gaining nearly $100,000 a year since its previous sale in 2010.
