Historic Hoboken Firehouse Featured In Popular Video Game Closes For Renovations

HOBOKEN, NJ — A Hoboken firehouse that's on the National Register of Historic Places — and whose image has been featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto — closed this week for renovations.

Its operations will temporarily be moved to two other firehouses in the mile-square city, officials said.

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The firehouse was used as the basis for the Berchem Fire Station featured in two Grand Theft Auto video game series: Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.

The firehouse is among four in Hoboken, all of which are listed on the National Register.

The building was constructed in 1890 and designed by Dixon and DeSaldern in the Romanesque Revival style, says the state.

The city said in a message to residents that the Uptown Firehouse had closed for "necessary structural repairs."

During the temporary closure, the two fire companies at the location — Truck 1 and Engine 2 — will operate from either the Midtown Firehouse, located at 801 Clinton St., or the fire headquarters at 201 Jefferson St.

The city has a fourth firehouse near the border with Jersey City on Observer Highway. A fifth firehouse on Grand Street was converted to residential housing years ago.

"HFD command staff will continue to monitor response times and make adjustments if necessary," the city said. "Personnel will continue to have access to the firehouse when needed, including to retrieve stored equipment."

The city's contractor, Nela Carpentry and Masonry, will demolish and replace the fire engine bay concrete slab and underlying steel beams, replace the steel frame on the overhead door, and replace the adjacent stairs, the city said.

The work will be finished by early next year, the city said.

The city said that those with a fire emergency should continue to call 911, 201-420-2004, or 201-420-2005. For non emergencies, call 201-420-2269.

The Uptown Firehouse is located at 1313 Washington St.