Construction crews are working to transform the building that housed Binghamton's iconic Number 5 restaurant into retail and office space.

The historic former firehouse at the corner of South Washington Street and the Vestal Parkway will anchor a redevelopment project that also will include a convenience store and a bank.

Developer Brett Pritchard said most of the renovation work on the second floor of the old restaurant has been completed. Four tenants will use office space on that floor. He expects tenants will be able to move in within the next 30 to 60 days.

Number 5 Commons developer Brett Pritchard inside the former firehouse on February 24, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Number 5 Commons developer Brett Pritchard inside the former firehouse on February 24, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Pritchard said the retail space on the street level should be occupied sometime this summer.

An addition has been built on the east side of the former fire station, adding about 1,300 square feet of space to the building.

Construction also is underway on a separate complex for the Number 5 Commons project that will house a Mirabito store and a Peoples Security Bank & Trust branch office.

Pritchard also is planning to renovate another existing South Washington Street structure. That building, which had been occupied by the La Tazza coffeehouse, has been unused for more than a decade.

A view of the first floor of the former Number 5 restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A view of the first floor of the former Number 5 restaurant. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The second floor of the former restaurant will be used as office space. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The second floor of the former restaurant will be used as office space. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Workers on the north side of the former Binghamton firehouse. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Workers on the north side of the former Binghamton firehouse. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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A new structure will house a convenience store and a bank at the future Number 5 Commons. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
A new structure will house a convenience store and a bank at the future Number 5 Commons. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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