from FDNY firehouse to artist’s home: inside daniel arsham’s converted 1887 SoHo residence

Daniel Arsham’s converted 1887 firehouse at 185 Lafayette Street in New York’s SoHo is on the market. Originally constructed for FDNY Engine Company No. 55, the four-story building was designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun, whose office was responsible for more than forty firehouses across New York during the rapid industrial expansion of the city.

The 25-meter-wide building remains defined by its patterned brick facade, terra-cotta rosettes, carved stone cornice, and cast-iron columns crowned with stylized flame motifs that reference its original function. Engine Company No. 55 operated from the address until 1982 before the property entered a new chapter as a private residence, reflecting the broader transformation of SoHo from an industrial district into one of New York’s creative neighborhoods.

all images via Compass

Behind the preserved exterior, the interiors contrast the nineteenth-century envelope with open, loft-like living spaces defined by 4- to 4.6-meter-high beamed ceilings, oversized windows, and wide-plank oak flooring. The renovation allows original architectural elements to remain legible within a restrained contemporary setting.

Among the defining features of the house is the original iron spiral staircase, finished in a mint-green lacquer that introduces a sculptural focal point connecting each floor. The main living level combines generous entertaining spaces, while the dedicated primary floor includes a custom walk-in closet and a bathroom.

The ground floor retains much of the openness associated with the former life of the building. Finished with poured concrete floors, 4.6-meter-high ceilings, custom bookshelves, and the original double bay doors, the space can function as an artist’s studio, gallery, workspace, garage, or secondary living area. A curb cut allows direct vehicle access into the building, a rare feature within Manhattan’s historic core.

Above, a landscaped roof terrace extends the living spaces outdoors with a lounge area, cabana, and water line overlooking the rooftops of SoHo. A basement level provides additional storage, laundry facilities, and flexible recreation space.

the original iron spiral staircase has been repainted in mint green

Long before becoming Arsham’s home, 185 Lafayette Street served the city for nearly a century as an active fire station before later housing FDNY personnel. Its successive transformations mirror the ongoing evolution of SoHo itself, where former industrial buildings have been continually adapted for artists, galleries, and residential use.

The property resonates with themes central to Arsham’s own practice. Known for casting everyday objects as imagined archaeological relics, the artist explores the relationship between time, preservation, and material history. While the firehouse is not presented as an artwork, its balance of preservation and contemporary intervention reflects a similar dialogue between past and present.

the open-plan kitchen introduces contemporary finishes within the landmarked nineteenth-century structure

minimal cabinetry and preserved timber beams balance contemporary living with the building’s historic character

a workspace overlooks Lafayette Street beneath exposed timber beams and textured concrete walls

historic windows continue to illuminate the former firehouse