Historic firehouse built in 1889 | Rich in original detail and character | Grand gathering room | Expansive arched windows | Apparatus bay | High ceilings throughout | Spacious commercial kitchen | Finished basement clubhouse with oak bar and game room | Large, private deck | Panoramic rooftop views of Mount Beacon and Fishkill Creek | Mansard roof with original bell tower | Listed on the National Historic Registry

Built in 1889, the Beacon Firehouse is a landmark of the city’s historic core, distinguished by its mansard roof, original bell tower, and arched windows. Once central to Beacon’s civic life, it retains much of its original craftsmanship – from ornamental plasterwork to finely crafted woodwork – alongside modern infrastructure. Today, its scale and adaptable layout position it for a new chapter, from cultural or community use to boutique hospitality, all within steps of Main Street’s shops, restaurants, and galleries in one of the Hudson Valley’s most active small cities.

A glimpse into Beacon’s past, this firehouse motif postcard recalls 1912 arrival of a Webb pumper truck, marking a major advance in the town’s firefighting history.

Built during Beacon’s industrial boom, the firehouse is a rare surviving example of late 19th-century civic architecture in the Hudson Valley. Its distinctive mansard roof, complete with original bell tower, once marked the city skyline as a beacon of public service. Inside, the plaster medallion ceiling features firefighting motifs – a reminder of the building’s earliest function as a home to horse-drawn engines and volunteer brigades. For nearly a century, it served both as a working fire station and a gathering place for civic events, anchoring the community in times of celebration and need. Today, it stands within the city’s Historical Overlay District and is listed on the National Historic Registry.

The ballroom is flooded with natural light through grand arched windows, emphasizing its open layout and architectural details. Photo: Escape Brooklyn

The grand gathering room is crowned by the original plaster medallion ceiling and robust wood beams, with natural light streaming through tall arched windows. Street-level offices and a meeting room connect to a mess hall–style commercial kitchen and the preserved apparatus bay, a dramatic double-height space that remains the building’s architectural center. A finished basement includes a handcrafted oak bar and game room, while a large deck bordered by mature trees offers outdoor gathering space. The rooftop opens to panoramic views of Mount Beacon and Fishkill Creek. Modern systems – including central air, gas-fired heating, a backup generator, and a 200-amp electrical service – support year-round use.

A landmark of Beacon’s past, this historic firehouse stands at the heart of the walkable downtown, surrounded by the city’s vibrant cultural and commercial life. Photos: Escape Brooklyn and c/o Compass

Beacon’s role as a regional center for art and design positions the firehouse for a range of adaptive reuses. Its proportions and open volumes could accommodate artist studios, galleries, performance venues, or collaborative workspaces. The scale also suits boutique lodging with up to ten guest rooms, or an intimate restaurant of about fifty seats. Whether cultural, hospitality-focused, or a hybrid, the building offers opportunities for reuse that retain its historic character while serving contemporary needs.

The Beacon Firehouse is being listed for $1,750,000 by the City of Beacon, presenting a rare opportunity to own and preserve an important piece of local history. This landmark building invites a buyer with a vision for thoughtful restoration – someone who values its historic character and aims to honor its legacy.

For inquiries or to schedule a showing, contact Charlotte Guernsey, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at The Gate House Team at Compass, by email at charlotte.guernsey@compass.com or call/text (845) 831-9550. Property listed by Compass.

The newest long-term exhibition at Dia:Beacon presents a curated collection of Kishio Suga’s works, created between the 1960s and 1990s. Photo: Don Stahl

Beacon’s cultural life is anchored by Dia:Beacon, a contemporary art museum housed in a former Nabisco box-printing factory, where light-filled galleries display large-scale works from the 1960s to the present. Independent galleries, including Mother Gallery and Super Secret Projects, showcase emerging artists and experimental projects.

For outdoor recreation, the steep, three-mile climb up South Beacon Mountain rewards hikers with sweeping Hudson Valley views, while the 2.5-mile loop around the Beacon Reservoir offers a gentler escape into nature.

On Main Street, mornings might start with breakfast at The Beacon Daily or vegan doughnuts from Peaceful Provisions. Afternoons invite a flight of wine at Paul Brady Wine before continuing through downtown. Evenings range from speakeasy-style cocktails at The Vinyl Room to Japanese comfort food at Quinn’s, or a seasonally inspired dinner overlooking Beacon Falls at The Roundhouse.