Halifax Former No. 4 Fire Station

Halifax, NS
Designer: Owner and MAC Interior Design Inc.

Built in 1904, the Number 4 Fire Station served Halifax for more than half a century at the corner of Bedford Row and Prince Street. The building was influenced by the Chicago style of architecture with ornamentation, tall pilasters and wide Romanesque arches.  In 1969, with the amalgamation of several fire stations in downtown Halifax it was closed but the unique building found new life as a restaurant and as an office space. 

In 1982, after being used as other restaurants, the building was purchased by Robert McKelvie who made few alterations to the building and whose restaurant has operated on the first floor since then. McKelvie’s Restaurant gets a boost from the spacious surroundings and historic status, especially with tourists.

Above the restaurant is the home of MAC Interior Design Inc. The multi-disciplinary design company offers corporate hospitality and retail design. Their offices are open and welcoming offering practical, creative and inspiring workspaces for several staff. 

When the municipality first constructed the Number 4 Fire Station at the turn of the century, the architect and builders would likely have had no idea that their sturdy and beautiful building would eventually be the home of offices and a restaurant over a century later. But the structure was built to last, and so it has!