Sometimes, even our most venerable and beloved edifices need a facelift.

So it was with Suffolk Fire and Rescue’s Station 1, the 54-year-old structure that for many years was at the heart of firefighting activity for the old city of Suffolk.

Through the years, Suffolk has grown — most notably, at least in area, with the merger with Nansemond County — and other fire stations have taken over as the biggest and as the command center, but Station 1 remains the primary downtown home for firefighters and their equipment.

At 54 years of age, just about anyone begins to look a little worn, a bit long in the tooth, and the time had come for Station 1 to get some much-needed renovations. Think of it as a facelift combined with rejuvenating vitamin therapy.

Suffolk officials rededicated the newly renovated building this week, celebrating the many years of service the building has provided and looking hopefully to the future in anticipation of many more such years to come.

Firefighters and other officials were justifiably proud to show off the changes. There are new bay doors, a new concrete apron leading to Market Street, new carpet and furniture in the day room and new turnout gear lockers.

The 10,200-square-foot, two-story building received complete interior and exterior renovations. Light fixtures have been replaced; walls, ceilings and floors in the bays have new paint; the bays have signature, fire-engine-red, steel, bi-fold doors; new infrared gas-fired heater units were installed in all of the bays; all exterior windows, doors and trim were replaced; and the exterior fire stair was removed and replaced.

The kitchen, dining area, offices and corridors all have been upgraded without significant layout changes. On the second floor, the bunkroom layout was kept intact, but it received new wall finishes, ceiling, lighting, carpet and window shades. There are also individual bunkrooms for the battalion chiefs, and the shower and restroom areas were given a new layout. A new day room, laundry room and lockers were created.

The facility also has an entirely new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The old system was known to give the city major troubles before the renovations.

Significantly, the building still retains its former character, and even those who retired from having served at Station 1 — taking with them fond memories of many hours spent there, along with a legitimate interest in the historical nature of the old building — were pleased with the improvements.

Housing at least 15 personnel at any given time, the facility is home to Battalion 1, EMS 1, Engines 1 and 2, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Brush 1 and Tanker 1.

We hope those units — and the men and women who man them — will have many fine years of service in their newly upgraded space.