Sony Music Studios was a well-known former music recording and mastering facility in New York City. The music and broadcasting complex was located at 460 W. 54th St., at 10th Avenue, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan. It closed in August 2007.
In addition to being the production facility for new popular, classical and other albums, it was also used as space for soundtrack recording and mixing, post-production, and rehearsals.
Sony Music Studios also had facilities for live and taped television broadcasts. The complex hosted the first US version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for ABC in 1999 (on a one-day delay), before the current syndicated version and occasional specials moved to ABC-owned studios further north on the West Side of Manhattan. Other programs recorded or aired live from the Sony Music Studios included MTV Unplugged, Sessions at West 54th, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and VH1’s Hard Rock Live.
Sony Music was also home to the current version of the word game Chain Reaction, hosted by Dylan Lane. Millionaire and Chain Reaction, both packaged by Michael Davies, are the only two daily national quiz shows currently produced in New York.
Sony Music Studios also hosted America: A Tribute to Heroes, a live telethon held 10 days after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The special also featured segments from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. Neither location was disclosed before air time because of security concerns.
On June 7, 2007, after a failed buyout attempt by former studio head Andy Kadison, Sony BMG Music Entertainment announced that it would be closing the studios. The building sold in November 2007 for $44 million, and it has been razed to be replaced by luxury condos.
The last television production housed by the studio was "Grand Slam", another Michael Davies and Embassy Row production, hosted by Dennis Miller.
Coordinates: 40°46′01″N 73°59′21″W / 40.76688°N 73.98905°W / 40.76688; -73.98905
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