A house that has been answering this corner since 1899: one bay, one rig, a brass pole through the ceiling, gear hanging ready in the order a person puts it on. Every twenty seconds the gong goes, the beacons start turning, and the door rolls up on Broome Street. The New Yorkers hang along the tiled bay walls, watching it happen.
Engine Company 55 was organized on June 4, 1887 and moved into this purpose built house in March 1899. R. H. Robertson designed it in 1898, his only commission for the Fire Department, in brick and Indiana limestone with the company banner carved over the arched apparatus bay, a copper mansard roof and glazed Guastavino tile inside that could be hosed down after a run.
Source · Landmarks Preservation Commission, Fire Engine Company 55 ↗
R. H. Robertson's 1899 firehouse: brick and limestone with the company banner carved over a monumental arched apparatus bay, a copper mansard roof, oval windows in garlands, Guastavino glazed tile inside, the brass pole, turnout gear on hooks, the housewatch desk and the gong. Mood: the bell, then the doors. Everything is procedural geometry with painted surfaces; nothing is a scan or a photograph. The room is an interpretation, and it hangs the New Yorkers the census recorded at this place first.