No Fire Pole, No Problem? Philly's 1845 Firehouse Is Up for Grabs

Built in 1845 for the Kensington Fire Company, this brick firehouse in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood has spent nearly two centuries answering the call. Now it's a 3-bedroom home on a rare 35-foot-wide double lot near Penn Treaty Park and the Delaware River, and it's looking for a new crew. Reddit's first question, naturally: where's the fire pole?

History Around Every Corner

The outside still looks the part, with a brick facade, the original firehouse doors, and a marble inscription over the entrance. Inside, the three-story residence keeps its original heart pine floors and stairs, exposed timber beams, high ceilings, and period millwork. There's no fire pole, which several commenters considered a dealbreaker, but there is a landscaped courtyard under mature trees, a gated driveway, and a big rear garage and workshop that could become a studio, collection space, or something entirely new. The listing even hints at potential to build above the rear garage, pending approvals.

The Great Philly Parking Debate

In a city where parking is a contact sport, a home with multiple garages sounds like a dream. Commenters had a reality check ready: in Philly, someone will probably park in front of those garage doors anyway, and a tow-away sign is already posted out front. One neighbor who lives a block away came to the home's defense, saying people respect the garages most of the time. Another drawback Reddit flagged is the view, since the property faces the I-95 expressway. Still, with Frankford Avenue's restaurants and shops nearby, it's listed at $999,500, and some locals predicted it won't last long.

The Internet Has Thoughts

Naturally, this listing caught the attention of Reddit's r/zillowgonewild community. See what people are saying about it here.

Ready to answer the call? View the full listing here.