Photo: Press
New York's The Magic Shop, where David Bowie recorded his final albums Blackstar and The Next Day, has shut its doors as of today.
The recording studio was set up in New York's Soho neighbourhood by Steve Rosenthal in 1988, and hosted the likes of Arcade Fire, Lou Reed and The Ramones throughout the years - as well as featuring in an episode of Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways documentary series.
As of today (Thursday 17 March), the studio has closed down, reports Fact - with owner Rosenthal blaming it on the gentrification of the area.
“I get that New York City is always changing and adapting like the living city it is," he wrote on Facebook. "Maybe what I believe in is no longer of value, but it was for us and we lived it."
He continued: “As the city becomes more of a corporate and condo island, some of us wish for a better balance between money and art, between progress and preservation, and we hope that one day we will see a reversal of the destruction of conscience and community we are witnessing.”
It was hoped at one point that Dave Grohl might buy the studio, however Rosenthal has since said he's 'not allowed to talk about it anymore for legal reasons'.
MORE: Why David Bowie will always be with us - a tribute
Meanwhile, a series of beautiful David Bowie picture discs are set to be released for Record Store Day this year, while Glastonbury are set to honour Bowie by screening his classic set from the year 2000 in full on the Pyramid Stage.
