Tax Credit Program Highlight: City of Houston Fire Station No. 3

History

With nearby oil discoveries and improving shipping channels at the turn of the twentieth century, the city of Houston organized a professional citywide fire department. Built in 1903 in Houston’s historic First Ward, the City of Houston Fire Station No. 3 is an intact example of the work of esteemed local architect Olle J. Lorehn. His interpretation of the Romanesque Revival style was applied to multiple fire stations across the city including this one. The crew at Fire Station No. 3 drove steam-powered horse-drawn fire engines until the 1920s, when the city invested in gas-powered engines. Fire Station No. 3 served the community until 1937, when the fire crew relocated to a larger new building that was better suited to house the large motorized engines.

Rehabilitation Project

This project involved adapting Houston Fire Station No. 3 into a special events venue space. The rehabilitation included, but was not limited to, the installation of a new roof, mortar repointing, brick repair, replacement of the non-historic aluminum storefront and glazed door systems, replacement of the non-historic stair with a code compliant metal stair, removal and selective replacement of non-historic finishes and partition walls, restoration of the hardwood floors, construction of bathrooms within the rear addition, along with major updates to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.