BackFire Station

Location: Pendleton, Oregon

Year Constructed: 1958

Work Completed: 2023

Project Team: Koble Creative, Architecture LLC

Project Budget: $1.5M

DeMuro Award Recognizes: Adaptive Reuse, Tourism, Economic Development

History: Pendleton Fire Station #1 was built in 1958, and served as the town’s primary fire station through the end of 2019. A key element of Pendleton’s historic fabric, Fire Station #1 also operated as the administration facility for the City of Pendleton's firefighting operations.

Overview: BackFire Station is the adaptive reuse of an existing fire station in downtown Pendleton, Oregon. Located within the City of Pendleton Urban Renewal District, as well as the Umatilla Riverfront Improvement Area, BackFire Station, and its Infernal Combustion Lounge provide Pendleton locals and visitors with opportunities to experience Fire Station #1 for themselves. The repurposed firehouse is now home to a second-story owner’s residence, and several businesses including the BackFire Station Bar and Restaurant, a retail space for motorcycle and regional products, adventure motorcycle rentals and guided tours, motorcycle service & repair, and the BackFire Lodge - a motorcycle-themed short-term lodging facility occupying the former firefighters’ sleeping quarters. To date, a total of 23 new jobs have been created by this project, making a significant positive impact on this small community. The adaptive reuse of this former fire station provides an anchor for the ongoing development of the Pendleton River Quarter, and a new home for two established companies, strengthening the area’s manufacturing and distribution economy.

Congratulations to the entire project team:

Koble Creative, Architecture LLC

Moto Stuff LLC

Schutte Consulting Engineers

McCormack Construction

Marv's Glass Shop Inc.

Thew's Sheet Metal

Gordon's Electric

Gillespie Roofing

Patch Pro Drywall LLC

Nakamoto Forestry

Renlita USA

Nanawall/Laris Architectural Products

Planes of Reference, Corp

Phoenix Fire Protection

Patch Pro Drywall LLC

Niederwerks, LLC 

CR Custom Fabrication 

Charles Denight, City of Pendleton