Case Studies
35
The Process
The adaptive reuse of the fire station
into a distillery is a direct result of
Norristown’s Main Street Economic
Development Initiative. The conversion
relied on a partnership with the
Municipality of Norristown to secure
two important grants: a $100,000
Community Development Block Grant and
a $7,212 Historic Façade Improvement
Grant. While off-street parking is not
required in the TC-Town Center District,
Norristown agreed to dedicate thirteen
parking spaces to Five Saints customers
in the adjacent municipal parking lot,
which allowed for increased landscaping
and a loading area.
The first stage of the building
adaptation reconfigured the first
floor’s interior; modernized electrical,
plumbing, heating, and fire suppression
systems; and restored the exterior
façade. ADA-accessible bathrooms
were installed on the first floor in the
center of the building beneath the
hose tower. The spacious engine room
was renovated to accommodate the
distilling equipment, which is separated
from the tasting room by a new wall.
Firefighters’ helmets and portraits and
photographs donated by members of
the fire company and a restored mural
decorate the wall opposite the new
bar. The original fire pole and tin ceiling
were restored and remain in the tasting
room. Original light fixtures found on
the second floor were refurbished and
installed in the tasting room.
Status
Currently, food trucks and live music
enliven the tasting room and sidewalk,
drawing visitors to the historic East
Main Street Corridor. As the Five Saints
Distilling business grows, the building
will continue to be improved. In a future
phase, the second floor, previously
offices and a locker room, will become a
restaurant and the third floor, the former
bunk room, will become an event space.
Opportunities
Located in the Central
Norristown Historic District
Adaptable building layout.
Interior and exterior
architectural features.
Community landmark.
Challenges
Installation of safety
features like HVAC,
electrical, and fire
stairwell.
Parking and loading.
Benefits
Preserves a significant
building within a
designated historic
corridor.
Enhances the pedestrian
environment and
encourages walking.
Successful community
collaboration.
Increases visits to
Norristown and municipal
revenue.
Achieves sustainable
development.
Firefighters’ helmets and historic photographs line the tasting roomwall.
