Chicago Fire Season 12 Filming Locations: Explore A Bit Of Windy City

"The initial day of filming took place on set at Cinespace Studios. As the week progressed, the production moved to the actual Firehouse 51, the base for Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61, and Battalion 25.

Cinespace Film Studios, established in 1988 by Nick Mirkopoulos, a Greek-Canadian, boasts a long history in the film industry. The studio expanded its footprint with a Vaughan facility, active since the 1960s. In 2007, Mirkopoulos collaborated with his Greek American nephew, Alex Pissios, to open Cinespace Chicago Film Studios. Fast forward to 2023, Cinespace further extended its reach by acquiring studio facilities in Atlanta and Wilmington from EUE/Screen Gems."

The outer scenes of Firehouse 51 are shot at a real fire station on Chicago's West Side, specifically the Engine 18 station on S. Blue Island Avenue. This active firehouse has not only served as a pivotal filming location but has also become a tourist attraction since the show's inception.

"Chicago Fire" often features crossover scenes with "Chicago P.D." officers, especially during citywide crises. The outdoor shots for these "Chicago P.D." moments are filmed near Engine 18, while the indoor scenes are also produced at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.

The exterior shots of the firehouse in "Chicago Fire" are filmed at an actual working fire station in Chicago. This station, which serves as the base for Engine 18, is located at 1360 South Blue Island Avenue at Maxwell Street. Positioned between 13th and Racine, it's a bustling hub hosting ALS Engine 18, 2–2–1 (Deputy District Chief – 1st District), 2–1–21 (1st District Chief), 6–4–16 (High-Rise Response Unit), and ALS Ambulance 65. For the interior scenes of Firehouse 51, the show shifts its filming to Cinespace Chicago Film Studios.

In a similar vein, the exterior scenes for the police station in "Chicago PD" are shot just a few blocks away from this firehouse, at 949 West Maxwell Street at Morgan Street. Like "Chicago Fire," the indoor scenes for "Chicago PD" are also filmed at Cinespace, ensuring continuity and a seamless blend between the shows' shared universe.

Molly's Bar, a favorite hangout in "Chicago Fire," is owned by characters Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte), and Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) of "Chicago P.D." The real-life location for Molly's is Lottie's Pub in Chicago's Bucktown area, famous among locals for its vibrant ambiance, happy hour specials, and open mic nights. To minimize interference with Lottie's Pub operations, later "Chicago Fire" episodes replicate Molly's interior at Cinespace Studios.