Photos and reoorting by Stacie Joy
Top photo from March
Last week, Sixth Street Specials moved out of its home of 39 years at 703 E. Sixth St.
The move to New Rochelle marks a new era for the business — as well as the four-story building between Avenue C and Avenue D.
The building had been on the sales market, and as of May 14 (see below), it is now under contract with a yet-to-be-named buyer. The ask had been more than $4 million.
Hugh Mackie, the owner of the motorcycle repair shop who also lived above with his family, decided to retire. He and his family relocated. (Mackie said previously that the current "landlord's been 100% cool with me.")
I was given access to the now-empty building — every floor except the third, where the door remained stubbornly locked despite my best efforts with the key.
Each floor features a loft, and they are massive.
What I saw was enough to stir both curiosity and a bit of envy.
According to Village Preservation, tax records show that a house was built at this location around 1855, replacing the shop and stables that had formerly occupied the lot.
Here's more:
The 1858 tax record describes the structure as four stories tall. The 1856 map labels this building as 'Piano Action Factory.' Although no permits were found prior to 1965, the current front facade likely dates to 1920-30s. In 1965 the building was altered by having its dumbwaiters, doors and bulkhead removed.
Vintage touches abound here. A double Fox Police Lock is still intact — a relic of security craftsmanship that's both rare and beautiful. Con Edison panels from another era line the wall alongside weathered AFA automatic fire alarms that haven't beeped in years.
We also spotted a lone piano in one of the spaces... 
At the top of the building, a half-door leads to the roof — watch your head! Even your intrepid, height-challenged reporter had to duck. 
But the climb (and duck) is worth it: a sprawling rooftop mural stretches across the surface, a splash of color crowning the building like a secret. (The KTM crew created the mural.)
You can't help but sigh at the potential. The place is under contract now, but for a few moments, it was ours to imagine.
4 comments:
That old fox lock brings back memories, my grandma had that on her door.
Very cool Ms Joy to have the opportunity to go back in there and roam around a bit. Amazing building, tons of charm and nice great rooftop fort. Hope they donate that piano in there also. Thanks Stacie !
Takes me back to my 1st years in NYC on Sullivan St. SOHO was filled with A.I.R. lofts (Artist-in-Residence for the younger set) and artists! Tenants made their own improvements out of what was available and created habitable spaces.
Then Real Estate moved it and wiped it out.
The landlord being cool is an understatement. Sixth Street Specials is blessed to have had the space for so long. All other motorcycle shops, and indeed, other automotive shops, were forced out at least 20 years ago, through city legislation and/or rent increases. SSS was able to continue because the space was actually zoned for light manufacturing; it was an industrial laundry for quite awhile, and a Letter of No Objection was displayed prominently in the bike shop.
Another bit of trivia, 703 E. 6th was a nightclub in the 80’s called Neither/Nor, specializing in punk and hardcore bands. Hugh was the doorman there, which is how he found the space in the first place.
No worries about the future of Sixth Street Specials. New Rochelle is just the next phase of the business, as happened with other shops that moved. And after all, the EV now belongs to rich NYU students who wait in line for upscale snacks.
Hugh Mackie is the Master, and all Scots work well into their 90’s with no retiring. The Motorcycle Whisperer does not retire.
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