Former Sixth Street Specials building wrapped for gut renovation

Photos by Stacie Joy

The 4-story building at 703 E. Sixth St. between Avenue C and Avenue D is now wrapped and ready for a gut renovation. (H/T EVG reader Harmony!)

According to permits on file with the Department of Buildings, the project calls for a "new building with existing elements to remain."

We'll see how much actually remains. 

Permits on file with the Department of Buildings show the new residential building will feature eight units.

Many readers will remember this address as the longtime home of Sixth Street Specials. Owner Hugh Mackie opened the motorcycle repair shop here in 1986, before semi-retiring last year. He and his family — who also lived in the building — have since relocated to Queens.

Meanwhile, longtime shop manager Joshua Mackenzie took over the business and moved it to New Rochelle. The new shop, at 11 Lincoln Ave. — the former home of Urchin Custom Cycles — debuted early last June.

The building had been on the market for $4 million. Public records show an LLC affiliated with Loom Capital Group closed on the property last summer for $3.55 million.

Mackie — along with family and friends who were often around the shop — helped make the block a little livelier over the years. They're missed.

According to Village Preservation, tax records show that a house was built at this location around 1855, replacing the stables that had formerly occupied the lot. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• After nearly 40 years, Sixth Street Specials prepares for its final ride in the East Village 

• Packing up Sixth Street Specials 

• The hidden charms of a soon-to-sell loft building and the former home of Sixth Street Specials