Welcome to Throwback Thursday, a web series where we revisit the most memorable properties we’ve covered in the past — and see what happened to them. Ranging from architecturally distinct properties to luxury listings with some quite unique features, to unforgettable houses that left us daydreaming about potentially moving in one day, Throwback Thursday revives our past favorites and provides an update on whether or not they’re still on the market, how much they sold for, and (if the information is publicly available) who bought them.
A part of Philadelphia’s history made its way onto the market a while back, giving us major Ghostbusters vibes.
Recently converted into a light-filled, modern family home, the building at 808 Morris St. in Philadelphia, PA has a rich backstory, having served as a firehouse for close to 80 years.
Built in 1874, the former Engine 10 firehouse pays tribute to its public-serving past, retaining its original brick façade — which was lovingly restored by its former owner, a real estate agent skilled in breathing new life into properties with potential.
But the magic lies inside, where you’ll find over 5,500 square feet of elegant living space.
Meticulously renovated in 2019 – 2020, the home’s interiors have been completely revamped in a way that doesn’t erase the building’s past but rather complements it.
The house was fitted with hardwood floors made from reclaimed pine barn wood — specifically chosen to suit the era of the building. The newly added custom staircases are showpieces, with stair treads made from reclaimed barn joists, steel in a matte black finish, and accented by an exposed brick wall.
With a smart layout that sees the rooms flow seamlessly from one to another, the beautiful residence oozes charm and comfort.
The wide-open floorplan sees the kitchen, dining, and living room blend together in a most inviting way, with its 3 arched doors leading out into the courtyard for extra entertaining space.
The converted firehouse has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and 2 half baths, a home office, a generous basement with a killer gym, and a 3-car garage.
The master bedroom is spacious, bright, quiet, and features a large walk-in closet and bathroom with heated flooring, Kohler fixtures, a large stall shower, custom quartz, and a Japanese air bubble soaking tub with bench seating for two.
The two additional bedrooms are one more charming than the other, and come with massive arched windows — with one of them also featuring an exposed brick wall.
A wet bar on the home’s top floor leads out onto the massive roof deck that offers great views of the city.
It’s worth noting that this is the second outdoor space, as there’s also a courtyard downstairs with stamped concrete, original steel beams and sconces, as well as gorgeous original arched brickwork.
But before we can wrap up our tour of this gorgeous firehouse-turned-family home, we have to give a nod to the perfectly-appointed basement area.
Here, there’s more space for entertaining with a bar/lounge with a seating area and a full wet bar with a dishwasher, refrigerator, and island. A big part of this space is dedicated to a world-class home gym.
What happened to this unique Philadelphia home?
When we first covered the former firehouse back in September 2021, the property was listed for sale asking $2,875,000. Julie Russell with Coldwell Banker Realty held the listing.
Despite the beautifully-renovated abode’s storied history — and countless attributes — it didn’t manage to sell for full ask, but a small price revision sealed the deal for the former Engine 10 firehouse.
The building at 808 Morris St. in Philadelphia saw a 4.3% price drop, with its renewed price ($2,750,000) landing it a buyer a few months later. The property sold in August 2022 for $2.75 million.
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