Hook & Ladder Company #8
14 N. Moore St.
New York, NY 10013
* Google Maps street view
Wandering Louis
White Street
(looking east from West Broadway)
* Google Maps street view
History – written by Chris Buchner (used with permission)
For those of you expecting some ghostly action here, sorry to disappoint you. Unlike in the movies, Ladder 8 is a fully functioning firehouse. While the firehouse itself wasn’t built until 1912, Ladder Company 8 was formed on October 16th, 1865 originally located at 153 Franklin Street. They were later moved to 7 N. Moore and finally one door over to 14 N. Moore where we know them today. This was the building that served as the facade for the Ghostbusters headquarters. As with most of the other sets in the movies, the interior was done in Los Angels, specifically at retired Fire Station 23. For some scenes, however, the crews filmed 20 feet inside the New York firehouse, specifically for Ecto-1 coming out for the first bust.
Although many of the firemen who were around for the first movie has long since moved on or retired, there are still a couple from the days of the second. They are very tolerant to Ghostbusters fans and happily answer any question you might have. When visiting this location, take note of the left hand wall which proudly displays the Ghostbusters 2 sign that once hung outside as well as set photographs from when the crew was filming there. Also, for $20, you can get one of their house shirts, any size. Each shirt features the company’s name and a picture of the modified GB2 logo to represent their company.
Fun Facts
Seinfeld: “The Secret Code” (November 9, 1995) (Season 7)
The exterior of the firehouse Kramer “works” out of is Hook & Ladder #8. The interior looks like a completely different building. For a video clip, check out the Spook Central Facebook page.
BUY IT – Season 7 DVD Set, Complete Series DVD Set, Complete Series DVD Set, Complete Series DVD Set. You can also stream the episode.
Hollywood & Vinyl (1997)
This episode of the VH-1 series takes a look at three ’80s movies: Ghostbusters, Rocky IV, and Beverly Hills Cop. Host John Fugelsang walked around the firehouse, outside and inside, and even got to slide down their pole.
1. This is the inside of the firehouse. Notice the “Ghostbusters II” logo sign hanging on the wall directly behind John’s head.
2. Close-up of the “Ghostbusters II” logo sign. In the film, both halves of this sign hang above the firehouse doors.
Hitch (2005)
The movie stars Will Smith as Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a romance consultant who helps hapless men woo the ladies of their dreams. Complications ensure when he falls for gossip columnist Sarah Melas (Eva Mendes), who unbeknownst to both of them, is doing an expose on the mythical “date doctor” as she tries to figure out how the clumsy Albert (Kevin James) is dating the wealthy and famous Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta).
The movie opens with a montage showing Hitch working with several of his clients. One of them is Pete (Matt Malloy), whom he later meets at his place of work. Pete is a fire captain at Hook & Ladder #8.
Be sure to check out my Hitch Filming Locations & Reference Review. Also, the movie has been released on Blu-ray, Widescreen DVD (with more bonus features), and a two-disc Blu-ray Double Feature with The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and the Greystone Mansion).
Secrets of New York: TriBeCa: Mysteries of New York’s Backlot Revealed (2007, Season 3, Episode 1)
In this episode of the official New York City TV series, host Kelly Choi reveals the secrets of three of TriBeCa’s landmarks. The first one of which is, of course, Hook & Ladder #8. The video below is just the firehouse segment. You can also watch the whole episode.
Ghostbusters (2016)
Paul Feig’s ill-fated parody remake features a few locations from the original movies. The ladies decide to start a business: Conductors of the Metaphysical Examination. Every business needs a headquarters, and so the ladies find a realty agent to show them some prospective places. One of the places she shows them is the firehouse in downtown Tribeca. While it is out of their price range, originally, by the end of the film they are awarded the place through the mayor’s office. Ernie Hudson returns to the building for his cameo as Patty’s uncle, Bill, from whom she borrowed a hearse.
The movie has been released in Theatrical and Extended Cut versions on Blu-ray, DVD (Theatrical only), and 4K Ultra HD/3D Blu-ray/2D Blu-ray Combo Pack.
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