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July 8, 2016

Queens Resident Managing Renovation of Iconic Tribeca “Ghostbusters” Firehouse

DDC staff examine the internal structure of the Ghostbusters firehouse.
DDC staff examine the internal structure of the Ghostbusters firehouse.

Contact:
Shavone Williams
Public Information Officer
718-391-1583

Dan Leibel
Junior Public Information Officer
718-391-1251

New York, NY—Fire Station Hook and Ladder Company No. 8 in Tribeca, best known for its appearance in the 1984 hit movie “Ghostbusters,” is being fully renovated in a $6 million project managed by Queens resident Amir Nossrati, a Senior Project Manager for the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC).

“For decades, firefighters in this historic building have protected lives and property in New York City,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “Once the top-to-bottom renovation is complete, the modern functionality of the building will provide a comfortable atmosphere to serve these brave people, including for the first time separate bath and locker room facilities for female firefighters. We look forward to completing a resilient facility in cooperation with the Fire Department for the City’s growing and diverse population.”

Supervising the project is DDC Senior Project Manager Amir Nossrati of Bayside, Queens, a DDC employee since the agency opened in 1996 and a public servant for more than 28 years. Nossrati specializes in firehouse construction for DDC and has managed over 85 different firehouse projects throughout the City. He was also a DDC volunteer with the FDNY, helping with recovery and restoration work following the 9/11 tragedy.

“I’ve worked with so many employees from the FDNY that they spot me while I’m driving around the City,” said Nossrati. “When you work together for this many years, you become member of their family. They have entrusted me to care for their facilities and we provide resilient, sustainable construction in return.”

Nossrati is responsible for overseeing the contractors and identifying strategic solutions to preserve the historical elements of the Tribeca building. The renovation will consist of upgrading the building’s apparatus floor, roof, kitchen, bathrooms (including the addition of a women’s bathroom), administrative offices, and mechanical systems, as well as a partial upgrade of the electrical and plumbing systems. The project is scheduled to be complete by next year.

DDC Senior Project Manager Amir Nossrati
DDC Senior Project Manager Amir Nossrati.

The three-story landmark firehouse was designed by Alexander H. Stevens, Superintendent of Buildings for the New York City Fire Department in 1903. Due to the widening of Varick Street, in 1914 the western portion of the building was reduced 35 feet to accommodate the street expansion. The firehouse belongs to a first generation of buildings that marked the FDNY’s shift toward more institutional and economic architecture.

“Since this firehouse is a landmark, we are taking extreme care with the façade and are removing the cornices on the building carefully so that everything can be restored and placed back into the original design,” said Nossrati. Ladder 8 remains a popular tourist attraction and in addition to “Ghostbusters” was also featured in an episode of the television series “Seinfeld” and in the 2005 film “Hitch.” In 2015, Lego announced a 4,500 piece "Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters" set based on the building.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to city projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.