New Fire Station in St. Paul, MN, Opens

ST. PAUL, MN - Wold Architects and Engineers (Wold), a national architecture and engineering firm with deep expertise in public safety design, has completed a new fire station for the St. Paul, MN. The facility, Fire Station No. 7, strengthens the city’s emergency response capabilities and reflects a long-term investment in operational efficiency, sustainability and community service. 

Located on newly acquired land, the approximately 18,500-square-foot station replaces a nearly 100-year-old facility that could no longer meet the needs of the growing community. The City of St. Paul partnered with Wold to plan and design a modern facility that would support both current service demands and future scalability. 

“This station is a testament to how thoughtful design can directly improve safety, wellness and operational readiness,” said John McNamara, government practice leader at Wold. “It supports the demands of modern fire service while prioritizing the health of those who serve. We’re proud to partner with the City of St. Paul on a facility that will make a lasting impact for both firefighters and the community.” 

The new station includes three double-deep, drive-through apparatus bays and one single back-in garage for a battalion vehicle. The interior features 15 sleeping rooms – 12 for regular crew members and three officer suites – as well as a full-size commercial kitchen, dining and lounge areas, with an adjacent outdoor patio. Thoughtfully designed zones support day-to-day function while maintaining clear separation between public, operational and residential areas.

Health and wellness were prioritized throughout the design, with separate gear storage, dedicated decontamination showers and space for gear washing and maintenance. These design strategies help reduce exposure to harmful substances and promote long-term firefighter well-being. 

In alignment with the City’s sustainability goals, the facility was designed to meet Minnesota’s B3 (Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond) standards and is expected to perform 80 percent better than standard energy code requirements. The station is also equipped to support a fully electric fire engine, which is now active and in operation. 

Fire Station No. 7 will serve as a vital hub for emergency services, enhancing the city’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to an increasing number of service calls. 

About Wold Architects and Engineers

Wold Architects and Engineers is a full-service planning, architecture and engineering firm with its headquarters in Minnesota and offices in Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee. As a dynamic, growth-oriented company, Wold is committed to delivering exceptional results for the communities it serves. Wold ranks 26th nationally in the Government Sector of the 2024 Building Design + Construction Giants 400 Report for A/E firms. To learn more, please visit www.woldae.com.