Cobble Hill Firehouse Gets New Life as Music School Headquarters

In a move that will revitalize a historic Brooklyn neighborhood, the former Engine Company 204 firehouse at 299 Degraw Street is set to become a permanent home for the Noel Pointer Foundation (NPF). The $17.8 million renovation, announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will turn the 1857 building into a dedicated space for music education, offering programs to underserved communities.

The NPF, founded in memory of Grammy-nominated violinist Noel Pointer, has reached over 390,000 NYC public school students through its string music training programs. With this new facility, the organization can expand its after-school, Saturday, and Summer Strings programs, providing more professional music education and performance opportunities.

‘This building is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a promise to the next generation that music, opportunity, and hope will always have a place in our community,’ said Chinita Pointer, executive director of NPF. The renovated firehouse will feature specialized acoustic design, soundproofed lesson rooms, and a recording studio, among other amenities, ensuring that aspiring musicians can thrive in a dedicated space.