San Angelo’s Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria Listed for $3.5M

SAN ANGELO, TX — The owners of Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria & Taproom announced Wednesday they have listed the property for sale, while assuring the public that the business remains fully open and operational.

The historic firehouse-turned-pizzeria, located at 200 S. Magdalen St. in Downtown San Angelo, is on the market for $3.5 million, according to a listing by ERA Newlin. The 12,192-square-foot building includes both the pizzeria and the Old Central Firehouse Bed & Brew, an adults-only, five-bedroom boutique inn on the second floor.

"It is a tough decision for our family to make but our prayer is that the next owners will have the same love and respect that we have for this building and will continue to serve San Angelo," the owners wrote in a Facebook post.

The listing describes the property as a rare and historic investment opportunity with prime access to downtown attractions. The bed and breakfast has earned praise for its comfort and charm, while the pizzeria is known for its craft beer selection and hand-crafted pizzas.

The Babiashs also recently opened the Lakehouse Pizzeria & Taproom, which opened on July 4 at 7401 Knickerbocker Rd. 

The Old Central Firehouse was a challenging project for the Babiashs in 2017. The couple leveraged the sale of their lake house on Lake Nasworthy to purchase the old and dilapidated former central firehouse. Some said the old firehouse was haunted. 

After jumping City of San Angelo roadblocks, in particular with the aid of then-Mayor Brenda Gunter who convinced the city council to overrule the planning commission's denial of their Short Term Rental application of the Babiash lake house, the Firehouse opened and became a favorite landmark of the downtown hospitality scene. Back in 2017 when initial plans were drawn, the Babiashs estimated the cost of the renovation of the Firehouse would be in the $700,000 range with the Babiashs' providing most of the labor. The bank wanted STR revenue from the Babiashs' lake house to solidify the collateral and ability to repay the loan. More here.

More about the Old Central Firehouse:

• Big Plans Made for the Old Central Firehouse Downtown, but the City Stands in the Way (2017)
• Old Central Firehouse Downtown has Big Plans with New Venture (2019)