Glenarm Firehouse
Historic Five Points District, Denver
From Civic Firehouse to Future Home
MAFI Design supported the transformation of the historic Glenarm Firehouse from a former commercial use into a future residential property, helping navigate the early layers of adaptive reuse, preservation review and design visioning. The building also holds an important place in Denver’s Black history: Station No. 3 was the first in the city to include Black firefighters and later became home to Denver’s first all Black fire company.
Our work included support for the rezoning process, a window replacement package for landmark review, coordination with the Landmark Preservation Commission and an interior concept study exploring how the building’s historic character could support a warm, flexible and contemporary way of living.
The project offered an opportunity to think beyond restoration alone, asking how a former civic building can carry its history forward while becoming deeply personal, functional and alive again.
SCOPE OF WORK
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Rezoning support for the transition from commercial use to residential use, including early project strategy and approval path coordination.
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Review and documentation of existing conditions, with coordination for Landmark Preservation Commission requirements and preservation-sensitive decision-making.
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Interior concept study, spatial visioning, material direction, and visual exploration of the firehouse’s main building potential as a flexible home for everyday living and gathering.
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Window replacement package and exterior compatibility review, balancing historic character with the needs of the building’s future residential use.