Building that housed Sigma Sound Studios sold, will be converted to apartments

A building that housed Sigma Sound Studios — where such hits as Disco Inferno, Macho Man and When Will I See You Again were recorded — has sold and will be converted into apartments.

The 13,858-square-foot building at 210-214 N. 12th St. in Philadelphia was bought for $1.55 million by an investment partnership going under the name 210 North 12th Street Investments L.L.C. and 212 North 12th Street Investments L.L.C. Michael Barmash of Colliers International represented the buyer, which has done developments in Chinatown and Philadelphia's Loft District.

The new owner's plans are still being worked out and how many apartments it will have hasn't been finalized, Barmash said.

The selling entities involved Sine Partners, Conestoga Bank and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. Jim Gorecki of Fidelity Commercial Real Estate represented the seller.

The property had several offers and closed within 90 days, Gorecki said. "It's a busy neighborhood," he said.

The building was constructed in 1930 but its real history started in 1968 when Joe Tarsia opened Sigma Sounds Studios in the space. The studios became famous for consistently churning out a string of hits and albums during the 1970s and 1980s that defined a generation and continues to influence musicians. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff used the studios for their Philadelphia International Records.Sigma Sound Studios was where the "The Sound of Philadelphia" was born.

This is the second landmark recording studio in Philadelphia to get a new use. The former home of International Records and Cameo-Parkway Records at 309 S. Broad St. will be the site of a new hotel and residential tower being developed by Dranoff Properties in partnership with Gamble.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal