Spike Lee's Former Studio In Fort Greene Has A New Owner

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — The historic firehouse that Spike Lee once used as his production studio for 20 years will now house several collectable cars.

The 124 Dekalb Ave. property, which was first built as a New York City firehouse in the 1920s, was recently sold for $4.9 million, brokers announced. It was once used by filmmaker and Fort Greene-native Spike Lee as his production studio.

The three-story firehouse had been on and off the market for the last 10 years, although the price stayed close to the $4.9 million. Brokers said the owner believed strongly that the property's value and potential would eventually attract the right buyer.

The deal, which is in contract, was made between Oxford Property Group and CitiHabits. Both the seller and the buyer weren't disclosed, except to say that the buyer is a successful businessman and car collector who plans to use the 5,775-square-foot space to house at least three cars.

The firehouse had first been converted into two loft condos in the 1980s, according to the New York Post, who first reported the deal.

The property currently has two bedrooms and three bathrooms and some details from its original use like a firehouse pole, the Post said. It also features Art Deco accents, 16-foot ceilings and a two-car garage.

Spike Lee moved out of the Dekalb Avenue spot back in 2008. At the time he said that an "insane" rent raise priced him out of staying in the space, which he first moved into in the mid-1980s.

Back then, he moved his studio to South Elliot Place.