A condo in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco was made from an old fire station. The pole that allowed firefighters to descend to the bottom floor is still there. It's to the right of the fireplace in this photograph.
http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Francisco/8-Carmel-St-94117/home/1416512 via Gizmodo | Photo: Redfin
Sometimes its better not to show off your cool stuff.