In 1877, the newly formed Allegheny City Fire Department, to demonstrate that a new era of public safety had arrived, constructed "a magnificent structure, not only modern in its function, but grand in its architecture." Upon completion of the project, Chief Crowe wrote "The building is pronounced by many who have visited it to present the finest appearance of any building connected with a fire department in the State."

Allegheny City was annexed by the City of Pittsburgh in 1907, which operated it as Engine Company No. 43 until moving out in 1969.

In 1996, Matthew Grebner purchased it and converted it into his art studio, which he has shared with dozens of other artists. Having outgrown the space, he and some of the other artists moved to a much larger space a several blocks away. There are still a few artists in the space, just to keep an eye on the building.