A recirc fan maybe? Seems like the best use is for wood as you described.

log storage is the only thing that makes since to me.

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Possibly a cleanout for the chimney, above firewood storage? (A bad idea.)

It is a log storage, we design them into outdoor fireplaces all the time where I work.

You did right. It's for firewood. Fill half way up. The wood is art. Stack with ends looking out. Have them cut the same lengths.

Brenda shows some great ideas.

Thanks, everyone. Would firewood storage connect to the chimney?

We have this situation as well and because we have a gas fireplace I don't want to pile wood in this hole. Any decor ideas would be appreciated

Amanda, are you sure it connects to the open chimney? ... seems like your room would fill up with smoke if that were really the case.

In our house, it's on enclosed porch and is meant to grill.

I know the intention of that cubby is to store and stack wood, but every time I see one of those, my thoughts zip straight to spiders, lots of warm, comfy spiders. Yuck!! How about calling a good carpenter, hinging a door on it, and turning it into a storage cupboard with shelves and/or pull-outs for ANYTHING other than dirty wood. You could get a double bang for your buck -- more storage and less dusting!! M

that is why I mentioned that sometimes these spaces-if connected to the chimney-are used for indoor grilling.

@Brenda: I added another pic. I've gotten as close to inside the space as possible. It's looking up. You can orient yourself by looking where the painting on the brick ends. Looks to me that the hole at the top of the space connects to the chimney of the fireplace.

do you have 2 flues coming out of your roof, or just one?

Is that a permanent screen over the opening? It would not be a flue if it is. It would get clogged with soot too easy. It is most likely combustion/ make-up air for the fireplace. So don't grill anything there. It is a place to store wood with a hidden vent in the top.

I heard it was for cooking bread

Can anyone find a picture with a fireplace in it but book shelves in the second hole?

I also have one of these like Amanda's in a 1970s house. It is small and higher and wood storage doesn't make sense. It is bricked off above it but there is a vent/chimney that likely used be attached built into the brick that runs alongside the chimney never connecting. A previous homeowner put a metal cover over the vent up top. I opened it to see and it indeed goes all the way down the the blocked off layer. Ill post pictures soon... I have a bookcase in front of it at the moment.

I have one that used to be a charcoal grill., next to the fireplace. It's got its own flue and chimney. Now that I have a gas insert in the fireplace, am looking for what to do with the extra flue and chimney. Too damp for anything wooden, but maybe something decorative.