Legendary Sigma Sound Studios building sold

The Sigma Sound Studios building in Philadelphia, which once hosted artists such as the Jackson 5, David Bowie and Billy Joel has been sold, according to Philly.com.

The 14,000-square-foot space at 210-214 North 12th Street, constructed in 1930, was bought for $1.55 million and will reportedly be made into apartments.

Sigma Sound Studios was opened by Joe Tarsia in 1968. The facility became famous for consistently churning out a string of hits and albums during the 1970s and ’80s, including Young Americans (Bowie) and Disco Inferno (The Trammps).

Writer/producer duo Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff used the facility for their Philadelphia International Records, and the studios helped define the ‘Philadelphia Sound’ throughout its run, before finally shutting its doors last year.

More than 6,000 master audiotapes from Sigma Sound were donated to Drexel University’s Audio Archive for storage and preservation in both 2005 and earlier this year.

As the Philadelphia Business Journal reports, this is the second landmark recording studio in the city to be repurposed. The former home of International Records and Cameo-Parkway Records at 309 S. Broad Street will be the site of a new hotel and residential tower being developed by Dranoff Properties in partnership with Gamble.

Picture: http://www.sigmasound.com