Old Brisbane fire station igniting interest among buyers

It stopped operating as a fire station in 1974, when it was taken over by the SES, who occupied the building until 1998. It was purchased by the present owners in 1999.

The property occupies a prime position on the corner of Ispwich and School roads. Photo: Supplied

But the building’s history goes beyond its primary purpose.

During WWII Yeronga Park –  behind the fire station –  played host to US and Dutch soldiers, and there was said to be an effigy of Hitler hung from the fire station awning.

The building remains largely in its original state. Photo: Supplied

The fire station, zoned for emergency services, is set to appeal to a range of buyers, according to listing agents Aron Burtenshaw and Matt Wray of Ray White Industrial Milton.

It could be used as a commercial premises – official office approval was commenced, but not finalised, in 2000 – converted into a house, or a mix of both, subject to council approval.

The 1062-square-metre site enjoys exposure to thousands of motorists travelling on Ipswich Road each day, with the current owners having used it as an office.

“Interest has been really solid. There’s been a really wide range of buyer groups, between people looking to live, looking to work and probably the strongest amount of interest is those looking to do both,” Mr Burtenshaw said.

He said that inquiries received thus far had been from the creative industries, who could use the building as a studio downstairs and accommodation upstairs.

The current owners had done minor works on the building, which has 280 square metres of internal space, but it was largely a blank slate, Mr Burtenshaw said.

“They’ve done the basic cosmetic renovation, the roof was repaired a year and a half ago and the property has been fully painted and the garden landscaped.

“They’ve brought it to the point where people can engage with the property,” he said.

Mr Burtenshaw declined to give a price guide for the property, but did say that properties with “inferior block size and inferior location” have sold for $700,000 to $800,000.

Looking out to School Road from the engine bay entrance. Photo: Supplied

The cedar fire pole and a special switch controlling the traffic lights outside may have both been removed in the 1970s, the pole, along with the commissioning plaque sent to the museum at the YMCA Old Petrie Town,  but a host of original features remain.

These include the large engine bay with outlines showing the  locations where boats and ladders were hung from the walls, a superintendent’s building, and original shower building on the mid landing.