The Real-Life Building Where All The Fire Station Scenes Were Filmed In Ghostbusters

"Ghostbusters" is one of the most memorable films from the '80s, considered by many to be one of the best comedies of all time. In fact, the horror-comedy was so well received that it entered the National Film Registry in 2015 (via Library of Congress). The success of the 1984 film, directed by the late Ivan Reitman, spawned a direct sequel, as well as a 2016 reboot. The latest entry in the franchise, directed by Jason Reitman, son of Ivan, is titled "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" and went on to gross over $195 million (via Box Office Mojo).

The Sony Pictures film created a near-billion-dollar franchise (via The Numbers) and continues to be one of the most acclaimed projects of the decade. Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Dan Aykroyd make up the titular Ghostbusters, a team of paranormal exterminators who take up shop in New York City to sell their services to haunted customers. Joining them on their adventures through the world of strange supernatural happenings are Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis. 

"Ghostbusters," its sequel, and the 2016 reboot notably take place in New York City. One of the franchise's most iconic locations, the firehouse, is actually a real fire station that is a core part of the city's history. 

In the film, the Ghostbusters begin their operations as paranormal investigators in a decommissioned firehouse. The fire station, which has become synonymous with "Ghostbusters," is now a popular tourist destination in New York City for fans of the film. The exterior shots of the firehouse were shot at Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8 (via Tripadvisor), which is located in the Tribeca neighborhood. The firehouse is an active fire station, even to this day. The "Ghostbusters" logo is painted on the sidewalk, though, to give tourists something to admire.

However, the interior scenes of Ghostbusters HQ weren't shot in that firehouse in New York. In fact, the scenes inside the station weren't even shot in the Big Apple. The interior scenes were shot in a Los Angeles studio, as well as the decommissioned Fire Station No. 23 in downtown Los Angeles, which hasn't been active since the '60s (via LA Weekly).

The majority of the film was shot in Los Angeles to take advantage of the talent in the city. Director Ivan Reitman recounted to LA Weekly how the film's technical requirements required a California crew: "We were doing so many things mechanically as opposed to digital CGI effects that it really required skillful people, the majority of whom were in [Los Angeles]."

While "Ghostbusters" fans can get their firehouse fix in New York City, they should know that according to Reitman, they only shot in the city for about five weeks.