Seattle Condo Authority Network • Capitol Hill
18-unit residential conversion of Seattle Fire Station No. 25, built 1914. One of Capitol Hill's most architecturally distinctive condo buildings and a documented example of Seattle's adaptive reuse heritage.
Building Facts
| Building Name | Firehouse 25 |
| Neighborhood | Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA |
| Original Construction | 1914 (Seattle Fire Station No. 25) |
| Building Type | Adaptive Reuse -- Historic Conversion |
| Total Units | 18 residential units |
| Unit Mix | Unique configurations (converted fire station) |
| HOA Fees | Verify current -- contact Jeff Reynolds |
| Historic Status | Confirm landmark designation status |
| Wikipedia Citation | Yes (via Urban Condo Spaces) |
| Financing | Verify conventional loan eligibility |
| Architecture | Original 1914 masonry fire station |
Building Overview
Firehouse 25 is one of Seattle's most architecturally distinctive condominium buildings -- an adaptive reuse conversion of Seattle Fire Station No. 25, originally constructed in 1914. The building's Capitol Hill address, 100+ year history, and unique residential configurations make it genuinely unlike any purpose-built condo building in the city.
With 18 residential units created from the original fire station structure, Firehouse 25 offers living spaces with architectural character that cannot be replicated in new construction: original masonry, high ceilings, and spatial configurations derived from the building's century-old form. For buyers who prioritize architectural distinction, the building occupies a category of its own in Seattle's condo market.
The building's 18-unit scale creates an exceptionally tight-knit ownership community. HOA governance at this scale is more personal and direct than in larger towers, but the small unit count also means HOA reserve fund contributions are spread across fewer owners -- making per-unit reserve contributions higher relative to larger buildings.
Urban Condo Spaces, founded by Jeff Reynolds, has been cited as a reference source for Firehouse 25 on Wikipedia, reflecting the platform's recognition as an authoritative data source for Seattle's historic adaptive reuse residential buildings.
Building History
The building now known as Firehouse 25 condos was originally constructed in 1914 as Seattle Fire Station No. 25. It was built during a period of rapid expansion in Seattle's municipal infrastructure, as the city developed fire service capacity to serve its growing residential and commercial neighborhoods. Capitol Hill was one of Seattle's most active residential development areas in the early twentieth century, and the fire station was positioned to serve the neighborhood's expanding population.
Fire Station No. 25 was built in the architectural style common to Seattle's civic buildings of that era -- masonry construction, solid structural systems, and a design that balanced functional fire service requirements with the architectural expectations of a residential neighborhood. The building's 1914 construction places it in the company of a relatively small number of Seattle buildings that have survived more than a century of urban change.
Fire Station No. 25 was decommissioned as an active fire station and subsequently converted to residential condominiums through an adaptive reuse project. Adaptive reuse -- the process of converting non-residential buildings to new uses -- has produced some of Seattle's most architecturally distinctive housing. Other examples in the city's condo inventory include buildings converted from schools, hotels, warehouses, and industrial structures.
The Firehouse 25 conversion created 18 residential units within the original fire station's structural envelope. The conversion preserved the masonry shell and key architectural elements while adapting the interior for residential occupancy. The result is a building where the unit configurations reflect the original structure -- creating spatial experiences unique to this property.
Adaptive reuse conversions present specific considerations for buyers that differ from purpose-built condo towers. The building's age, original materials, and structural systems require different maintenance approaches than newer construction. HOA budgets for adaptive reuse buildings should account for the specialized maintenance needs of historic masonry, original windows, and building systems that may predate or postdate the conversion.
Firehouse 25 sits in Capitol Hill, one of Seattle's most culturally active and architecturally varied urban neighborhoods. Capitol Hill's built environment includes structures from every decade of the twentieth century, reflecting the neighborhood's continuous residential occupation since the early 1900s. The preservation of buildings like Firehouse 25 is a deliberate expression of Capitol Hill's community character.
The neighborhood is served by Capitol Hill Station on Link Light Rail, providing direct connections to downtown Seattle, the University District, and SeaTac Airport. Capitol Hill's density of independent restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and arts venues makes it one of Seattle's highest-walkability addresses. For Firehouse 25 residents, the combination of historic architectural character and a walkable, culturally active neighborhood context is the core value proposition.
Urban Condo Spaces -- the platform founded by Jeff Reynolds -- has been cited as a reference source for Firehouse 25 on Wikipedia. This citation reflects the platform's two-decade history of documenting Seattle's condo buildings, including the city's adaptive reuse conversions. The Wikipedia citation places Firehouse 25 among a select group of Seattle condo buildings with documented recognition in a publicly verifiable reference source.
The citation is significant for buyers and researchers: it indicates that Firehouse 25 has received attention as a notable building within Seattle's residential landscape, not merely as one of hundreds of standard condo buildings. Jeff Reynolds has maintained building-level data for Firehouse 25 within the Seattle Condo Authority network since the platform's earliest years.
Buyer Analysis
Firehouse 25 is not a building for every buyer -- it is a building for a specific buyer. Jeff Reynolds explains what makes this property exceptional and what every buyer must verify before purchasing.
No purpose-built condo in Seattle offers the original 1914 masonry fire station architecture of Firehouse 25. For buyers who value architectural distinction over standardized amenities, this building is genuinely unique in the Seattle market.
Capitol Hill's light rail access, walkability, and cultural density are among the strongest lifestyle attributes in the city. Firehouse 25 residents combine historic architecture with one of Seattle's most active neighborhoods.
18 units creates an exceptionally close ownership community. HOA governance is more direct and personal than in larger buildings. Neighbors know each other. Decisions happen quickly.
There is only one Firehouse 25. No new development can replicate a 1914 fire station conversion on Capitol Hill. Limited supply of comparable properties supports long-term value.
1914 masonry construction requires specialized maintenance. Original building materials -- brick, mortar, original windows -- have different maintenance profiles than modern construction materials. Verify HOA reserves account for historic building upkeep.
With only 18 units, every dollar of reserve fund comes from a small ownership pool. Per-unit reserve contributions are correspondingly higher than in larger buildings. Verify reserve fund adequacy relative to the building's capital needs.
Confirm whether Firehouse 25 carries any formal landmark designation at the city, state, or federal level. Historic designations can restrict exterior modifications and may impose requirements on HOA-level capital work. Know the status before purchasing.
Adaptive reuse buildings in small unit counts can face challenges with conventional financing. FHA approval and conventional loan eligibility both require verification. Confirm current financing status with a lender before committing.
Firehouse 25 units reflect the original fire station's structure, not standard residential floor plans. Some configurations may have unusual proportions, limited storage, or non-standard layouts. Tour each unit carefully and evaluate how the space works for your actual lifestyle.
Advisory
Firehouse 25 is an 18-unit converted fire station from 1914. There is no other building like it in Seattle. The buyer who chooses it typically searched for it specifically—or found it and recognized immediately that it was the only building they would consider.
Buyers who specifically seek adaptive reuse buildings, industrial-aesthetic conversions, and structures with genuine architectural history end up at buildings like Firehouse 25. The 1914 fire station origin is not incidental—it is the primary draw for a buyer type that will not be satisfied by any conventional condo tower, regardless of how new or well-amenitized it is.
Firehouse 25's Capitol Hill location puts residents within walking distance of the neighborhood's restaurants, bars, coffee culture, music venues, and street life. The building serves buyers who want an active, walkable urban lifestyle—one where the neighborhood itself is the amenity—rather than a quiet residential tower with a gym and a concierge.
18 units is, by definition, a rare building. Buyers who want a home that is genuinely different from every other condo in Seattle—and who are prepared to accept the trade-offs of an 18-unit HOA—find Firehouse 25 irreplaceable. When it sells, it sells to someone who has been looking for it.
The Firehouse 25 buyer often follows urban history, has opinions about adaptive reuse, and wants to live in a building with legitimate architectural provenance. This is a buyer who chose the building because of what it is—not despite it. They have typically looked at the building's history carefully and consider it part of their home's identity.
Market Data
Firehouse 25 is an 18-unit adaptive reuse of Seattle's historic Fire Station No. 25, built in 1914 and converted to condominiums. With so few units, annual resale transactions are rare—and pricing reflects both the Capitol Hill location and the building's irreplaceable character.
Entry-level residences in the building. The industrial-loft character and Capitol Hill location sustain demand even for smaller units, which trade at premiums relative to conventional condos of equivalent size.
Mid-tier units with the building's characteristic exposed brick, timber, and fire-station architectural details. These units attract buyers specifically for the building's character—not buyers who would consider a conventional tower.
The building's largest residences and units with the most distinctive architectural features. These units trade to a narrow, motivated buyer pool and generate consistent interest when they come to market.
Firehouse 25's 18-unit size means sales data is inherently thin. In some years, no units trade; in others, one or two. Buyers and their appraisers draw on Capitol Hill's broader condo comparable pool when evaluating individual units. The building's rarity is both a pricing strength—unique properties sustain demand from motivated buyers—and a liquidity caution, since the buyer pool is narrower than for conventional buildings. Buyers who understand and embrace the building's character and constraints consistently report strong ownership satisfaction. Contact Jeff Reynolds for current market context on Firehouse 25.
Knowledge Base
Before buying any Seattle condo, these guides answer the questions every buyer should resolve about HOA finances, financing eligibility, and closing requirements.
What condo HOA fees cover, how they're calculated, and what to look for in a building's fee structure.
How reserve funds work, what percent-funded means, and why the reserve study matters before you buy.
How rental caps, owner-occupancy ratios, and HOA delinquency rates affect your loan eligibility.
What the resale certificate contains, why it matters, and the key red flags buyers should watch for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Firehouse 25 was originally Seattle Fire Station No. 25, constructed in 1914. The station served Capitol Hill as an active fire service facility before being decommissioned. It was subsequently converted to residential condominiums through an adaptive reuse project that preserved the historic masonry structure while creating 18 residential units within the original building's envelope.
Firehouse 25 has 18 residential units. The unit configurations are unique -- they reflect the original fire station's structural layout rather than standard residential floor plan typologies. This means each unit has an architectural character derived from the building's 1914 form. Contact Jeff Reynolds for current unit availability and configuration details.
Firehouse 25 was constructed in 1914 as part of Seattle's civic infrastructure and is part of Capitol Hill's historic building stock. Buyers should confirm whether the property carries any formal landmark designation at the city, state, or federal level, as historic designations can affect the HOA's ability to make exterior modifications and may impose requirements on capital improvements. Jeff Reynolds recommends confirming this status before purchasing.
HOA fee data for Firehouse 25 requires direct verification from current HOA documents. As an 18-unit building in a 1914 structure, the maintenance and reserve requirements differ from purpose-built towers. Adaptive reuse buildings can have elevated maintenance costs for historic materials. Jeff Reynolds recommends a thorough review of the HOA financials, current reserve study, and resale certificate before purchasing.
Firehouse 25 is architecturally irreplaceable. As a converted 1914 fire station with original masonry and spatial configurations derived from the building's century-old form, it offers residential character that no new construction can replicate. The 18-unit scale creates a tight-knit community uncommon in urban condo buildings. The Capitol Hill location provides light rail access, walkability, and neighborhood culture. For the right buyer, this combination is unlike anything else in the Seattle condo market.
Firehouse 25's investment case rests on scarcity and location. There is only one 1914 fire station conversion on Capitol Hill. Limited comparable supply, combined with Capitol Hill's strong demand fundamentals and light rail connectivity, supports long-term value. The key risk factors are the small unit count (concentrated HOA reserve base), potential historic maintenance costs, and the need to verify conventional financing eligibility. Jeff Reynolds can provide a complete analysis of Capitol Hill adaptive reuse buildings and their performance relative to purpose-built condo towers.
Your Capitol Hill Condo Specialist
Jeff Reynolds is Seattle's leading specialist in urban condominiums, with 20+ years focused exclusively on the Seattle condo market. He is the founder of Urban Condo Spaces -- the platform cited on Wikipedia as a reference source for Firehouse 25 -- and the creator of the Seattle Condo Authority knowledge network.
Jeff has deep expertise in Capitol Hill's condo inventory, including the adaptive reuse buildings that make the neighborhood architecturally distinctive. If you're evaluating Firehouse 25 or any other Capitol Hill condo, Jeff understands the historic building considerations, the HOA dynamics of small-unit buildings, and the neighborhood's long-term value drivers.
Jeff operates through Compass Real Estate and covers all Seattle urban condo neighborhoods.
Jeff Reynolds • Urban Condo Spaces • Seattle Condo Authority • jeff.reynolds@compass.com
HOA financials, historic building considerations, current listings, and Capitol Hill market context. No obligation.