How To Find Studio Space

[Kenny Gioia]

Please don't move this to Claasified section as I need opinions more than leads.

I'm building another studio in Queens, NY.

I already have my studio in NYC but it really wasn't built for Rock bands. More for Pop Music.

The neighbors are complaining about the constant 16 hours a day barage of noise.

And I need a place for the bands to stay. NYC hotels will eat up the entire budgets for these bands.

I was going to rent outside studios for these bands but it's kind of silly. I own alll the gear I need. I just need some beds and a room.

So I've decided to build another studio. In Queens.

The advice I need is whether I should look for commercial space or just look to rent (or buy) a house.

A house would need to be off the beaten path to avoid complaining neighbors.

The commercial route would be questionable for having people sleep their.

A stand alone building would probably best than.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[thethrillfactor]

Do you want a place that's already built or just empty loft space?

The only area in Queens i would personally build a studio is in Astoria or LIC.

Its like a 5-10 min ride from Manhattan.

There are a couple of studios there already.

Its also starting to become a little Village or less "Hipsterlike" Williamsburg.

Have you thought of Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg?

5-10min from Manhattan and just about every independent band hangs out there.

Right now Loft space there is premium, but if you got cash anything is possible.

I think the other area which is untapped is the Bronx.

Especially along the river.

Lots of empty warehouses so you could build a huge studio.

Its kinda scary at nite(abandoned)but Williamsburg was like that a couple of years ago.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

I think the other area which is untapped is the Bronx.

Especially along the river.

Lots of empty warehouses so you could build a huge studio.

Its kinda scary at nite(abandoned)but Williamsburg was like that a couple of years ago.

I say the Bronx ...


You'll be first and it could be huge for your business generally.

[juniorhifikit]

If you want to build the studio into the same space as the lodging, most normal houses are not built to handle that task. Not enough ceiling height, rooms are too small to build in the neccessary mass for isolation, no room for HVAC ducts large enough to be quiet. And then there's zoning.

Good luck though. The Bronx sounds good.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by juniorhifikit

If you want to build the studio into the same space as the lodging, most normal houses are not built to handle that task. Not enough ceiling height, rooms are too small to build in the neccessary mass for isolation, no room for HVAC ducts large enough to be quiet. And then there's zoning.

Good luck though. The Bronx sounds good.

Right, residential zoning is a nightmare ... but living part time in a warehouse works well, and the bands act as overnight security by sleeping on premises. Work in a shower and you're set. Kitchen not needed.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by lucey

I say the Bronx ...


You'll be first and it could be huge for your business generally.

Its funny though its the only boro in the city that i've heard most musicians say they wouldn't go to record.

The other area i forgot to mention is Harlem.

Its a booming area since Clinton moved in.

There is one major studio there(Ornette Coleman's place).

I am meeting with a investor/developer in the area to build and help design a new entertainment complex,"HARLEMWOOD" it will be called.

Basically a Hollywood but in Harlem(film,TV and music).

Should be interesting.

[Kenny Gioia]

Thanks guys.

I'm not so much looking for location as I am looking for ideas on spaces.

On my forum people mentioned looking for an old church. For ex.

LIC and Astoria are closer to the city but I don't really care about that too much.

Most bands aren't livin in NYC anymore anyway.

And this isn't an open to the public place. My location will not draw clients.

Thinking about the Bayside Queens area. 25 minute train to NYC and close to my house.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Produceher

Thanks guys.


Thinking about the Bayside Queens area. 25 minute train to NYC and close to my house.

Bayside is far bro.

If easy acess isn't an issue than their are tons of warehouses 5 stops into Williamsburg,LIC in the industrial district and in NJ.

Again check along the East side river in the Bronx.

I know of a few artists and sculptors in that area that have huge amount of space in these warehouses along the river.

A church is very difficult in NYC.

Their are certain zoning laws and ever since what happened in Manhattan, the city is very careful what they rent out churches to.

[largeunit]

Might be obvious but, my only advice would be to use every means at your disposal to buy a space rather than rent.

[patchmonkey]

There's a studio in Douglaston, Queens I've been seeing for sale ads on Craigslist for months - though I haven't noticed them lately. Station Sound, maybe? Anyway, Douglaston is a very nice upper-middle neighborhood, and the place is already built out, may have sleeping areas too, I can't remember.

Could be worth checking out...

okay, i looked it up - here's their website, although there's no mention of it being for sale right now, it definitely has been recently...

http://stationsound.com/index.html

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by patchmonkey

There's a studio in Douglaston, Queens I've been seeing for sale ads on Craigslist for months - though I haven't noticed them lately. Station Sound, maybe? Anyway, Douglaston is a very nice upper-middle neighborhood, and the place is already built out, may have sleeping areas too, I can't remember.

Could be worth checking out...

okay, i looked it up - here's their website, although there's no mention of it being for sale right now, it definitely has been recently...

http://stationsound.com/index.html

Great Tip.

Thanks

[Ziggy!!]

Warehouse would be cool!