When is a Fire Hall not a Fire Hall.... by bkbinthecity

When is a Fire Hall not a Fire Hall....

.....when it has been converted into an apartment. Balfour Manor was built in 1912 as Edmonton's No. 4 Fire Hall. That is what it once looked like on the left. Sorry for the quality but this is the only archive photo I have of this building.
It was in service until 1921. It became a garage and served in this capacity until the 1939. This is when it became a ten unit apartment complex.
Each suite had a fireplace in the living room. The kitchens each had built in china cabinets, electric refrigeators and a gas stove.
The photo on the right was taken today on my way home. I have always found it interesting to know that this building has quite the history to it
As an extra sidenote. We have a number of old fire halls in Edmonton that have found a second life to them. One is now a deli and another is a Playhouse.
As well you may notice all the snow on the ground. It snowed the whole day while I was at work. Yes winter is here to stay
Cool captures
November 2nd, 2012  
must be expensive. i wonder how the plumbing is. wonderful shot, brian.
November 2nd, 2012  
Nice to see a building recycled. Nice collage and commentary.
November 2nd, 2012  
Looks like an apartment building still! Interesting history - it would have been luxurious in those days!
November 2nd, 2012  
What an awesome comparison of the building, great info as well Brian.
November 2nd, 2012  
Yes...excellent one......beautiful......nice......very old building and architecture is fantastic.....
November 2nd, 2012  
Interesting story and photo.
November 2nd, 2012  
Love the then and now comparison!!!!
November 2nd, 2012  
I love interesting stories like this. Wonderful to see the pictures of then and now
November 2nd, 2012  
Great comparison and a great collage.
November 2nd, 2012  
Great before and after shot!
November 2nd, 2012  
Fabulous history, always nice to recycle a lovely building. The snow is less nice to see though, we had snow last Saturday but it left very quickly, I guess for you that won't happen - it's going to be a long winter for you Brian
November 2nd, 2012  
I love it when old historic buildings are restored. Great comparison shot and such interesting details in your narrative.
November 2nd, 2012  
Kim
So glad they made good use of the building - love that there is a fireplace in each apt. In the now picture, I love the natural frame you used with the trees.
November 2nd, 2012  
Great story, beautiful told and showed by the pic`s
November 2nd, 2012  
Such an interesting shot. Thanks.
November 2nd, 2012  
Nice pictures, love the explanation.
November 2nd, 2012  
A fascinating comparison! - good to see the old building still in use!
November 2nd, 2012  
how cool, would like to see inside
November 2nd, 2012  
What a cool conversion. I wonder if the firemen's pole is still there - wouldn't that be fun.
November 3rd, 2012  
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri
November 3rd, 2012  
@summerfield Not sure about those details, however just based on location I am sure it does not come cheap
November 3rd, 2012  
@tesnonian Glad you liked it
November 3rd, 2012  
@maggiemae Definitely a beautiful suite back then for sure
November 3rd, 2012  
@http365proj Glad to share it with you
November 3rd, 2012  
@pawar_ramesh Glad you like it Ramesh
November 3rd, 2012  
@worldbiking Glad you liked it
November 3rd, 2012  
@cindyrez Glad you enjoyed it
November 3rd, 2012  
@maggie2 Glad you liked it
November 3rd, 2012  
@mittens Thanks Marilyn
November 3rd, 2012  
@clmiller Glad you liked it Caren
November 3rd, 2012  
@claireuk To long I'm afraid
November 3rd, 2012  
@cimes1 Glad to share it
November 3rd, 2012  
@kimshots Glad you liked it
November 3rd, 2012  
@pyrrhula Thank you
November 3rd, 2012  
@sabanford Your welcome
November 3rd, 2012  
@hjv Glad you liked it
November 3rd, 2012  
@if1 I am glad that they are now finding new uses for these old buildings
November 3rd, 2012  
@sarasdadandmom I would love to see that too
November 3rd, 2012  
@ladyjane I do not know about that. I do know that the one I mentioned is a playhouse now still has the pole
November 3rd, 2012  
Wonderful comparison and story Brian. Looks like they knocked it down a bit at sometime. I like your natural framing of the now photo.
November 3rd, 2012  
@lynnb They did do some changes to it but it is still the same building
November 4th, 2012  
nicely done here -
November 5th, 2012  
@sparkle Thank you
November 6th, 2012  
Love reading your history page :-).
November 8th, 2012  
I really enjoy your then and now shots- such interesting histories to the buildings you choose.
November 8th, 2012  
@titam Glad to share it with you
November 9th, 2012  
@olivetreeann Always glad to share them
November 9th, 2012  
How wonderful to live in an old fire hall (we call them fire stations in the U.S.). Great way to keep a historic building alive.
Thanks for showing us the before and after.
November 19th, 2012  
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