Follow our Process in Rehabilitating The 100 Year Old Hillman Street Firehouse in Historic New Bedford

Joseph Hutchinson & Kira Sauer
Jul 15
4 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

*A photograph showing the condition of the Hillman Street Firehouse, prior to construction.*

Downtown New Bedford's Historic District is home to dozens of once vibrant structures, keystones in their community, which now after years of neglect, sit vacant and dilapidated. Sitting among them at 109 Hillman Street, is the City's former Fire Station and Civil Defense Station. Built in 1892 the Fire House served its community for over 100 years. However as new stations were built, the Hillman Street Firehouse slowly lost its purpose, leading to its abandonment. Since then, it has sat vacant for over 30 years, and eventually was scheduled for demolition, until WHALE (Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE) stepped in. After stopping the demolition of the Firehouse, WHALE reached out to CMK Development Partners to try and find a way to rehabilitate the historic site into something that could once again serve the community.

The Historic structure is currently under renovation as of March 2025, and is on track to create 8 Mixed-Income rental units by April 2026. The project was designed by MP Design in Southborough MA, and has received financing from BayCoast Bank. The development is also receiving funding from the State of Massachusetts, through the State's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and State Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund, as well as the City of New Bedford's HOME Program, its ARPA Program for vacant and abandoned buildings, and its Community Preservation Act Program.

Since Construction has begun, progress on the project has been steady, as of now (July 14th) demolition is finishing up, as the first renovations to the exterior of the building are beginning.

This blog will be receiving bi-weekly updates showcasing progress on the building, including photographs of the most recent work.

Bi-Weekly Update Gallery:

Update 00: 3/1/25 - 7/1/25

Update 01: 7/1/25 - 7/14/25

Update 02: 7/15/25 - 7/29/25

Update 03: 7/29/25 - 8/13/25

Update 04: 10/19/25 - 11/1/25

Update 05: 11/2/25 - 11/15/25

Update 00: 3/1/25 - 7/1/25

In this first catch-up update, we explore what the process so far has been, taking a journey through the existing building, structural shoring, and demolition process from March 2025 to July.

March 2025

Exterior Photos of Hillman Firehouse Prior to any Construction or Repointing

Interior Photos of Hillman prior to any Demolition

April 2025

Interior Photos Showing Safety Precautions prior to any Demolition, ensuring a safe job site

May 2025

Before and After of First Floor Demolition and Cleanup

Photos Showing the Removal of Existing Oil Tanks

Existing Walls/Flooring on Second and Third Floors

First Floor Photos Post-Wall Demolition

June 2025

Basement Photos Showing holes cut into Foundation for new Structural Footings to be poured

Exterior and Interior Photos Showing Cuts into the Roof to make space for New Historical Dormers to be Framed

Update 01: 7/1/25 - 7/14/25

In the first of many Bi-Weekly updates, we find ourself focusing primarily on the exterior of the building. With masons working on repointing the brick facade, and carpenters framing out the dormers, the exterior of the building finds itself looking closer and closer to it's original state.

Exterior photos showing the Re-Pointing (touchup/repair) of the Existing Masonry and Brick Facade

Interior and Exterior Views of the Newly Framed Dormers, which were a part of the Original Firehouse Design

Photos Capturing the partial removal of Damaged Floor Systems

Update 02: 7/15/25 - 7/29/25

Big changes are happening on site this update, as it's out with the old flooring systems, and in with the new. Beginning with the North side of the first and second floors, the first pieces of new framing are being built, and will eventually be carried on throughout the rest of the building. In addition, to support the flooring going up on the second floor, a new structural beam has been added.

Photos of the New Floor System Installed on the North-Side of the First Floor

Photos of the New Structural Beam, Supporting the Second Floor Flooring

Views of the New Second Floor Flooring in Place

Update 03: 7/29/25 - 8/13/25

This update, changes are happening from top to bottom as the project moves closer to being structurally sound. In the basement, holes are being cut, and rebar is being added to prepare the new footings to be poured next week. As we work our way up the building, we can see the removal of the existing first floor staircase, and the framing of a new one which will be used in the future. In addition, new flooring and beams are being added, as the flooring for the upper levels nears completion.

Photos of footing cuts being prepped to be poured

The Removal and Addition of new stairs

Photos showing new floor framing being installed

Update 04: 10/19/25 - 11/1/25

After a brief hiatus, the Hillman Blog Updates return! Picking up right where we left off previously, a new central staircase has been framed in the basement connecting the basement and first floor. Footings have also been poured filling the holes which were previously cut, and structural members will soon be installed to support the floor above, distributing the load onto the footings.

Photos showing the new basement staircase

Photos showing the filled in Footings

Update 05: 11/2/25 - 11/15/25

This update we wrap up our recap of work that has happened since our break. The interior begins to take it's shape, as structural steel is removed from the project, and floor framing is finished. In tandem with the completion of floor framing, the second run of the new central staircase connecting the first and second floors has also been framed out, leaving just the final run from the second floor to the third. From here, markings for wall framing can be laid out, and will be the next step for the project.