124 East 13th Street | Block : 558 | Lot #7504

Description & Building Alterations

This site originally held a two-story veterinary clinic, which was built in the mid-1850s as seen in the 1854 map and confirmed in the 1854-55 directory (the original address was 98 East 13th Street). The veterinarian surgeon listed in that directory was William Lockhart. Later directories show that he lived and worked there. The permits show that in the 1890’s three stories were added and the building was converted to residential use. It is unclear if it was actually used for residential purposes; it is not listed in the 1897 directory. According to the designation report for 126-128, the Van Tassell & Kearney auction mart, the horse auction company owned 124 East 13th Street.

The use of this building would change again in the 20th century. A new storefront and garage door were installed in 1929, at which point the lower four floors housed a garage. The fifth floor was reserved for storage. The building continued to operate as a garage for decades, though only the ground floor was used as such by 1969. The upper floors were converted to offices. Since the 1980s tax photo was taken, the windows have been replaced, the second story window opening has been altered, and the cornice appears to have lost some of its detailing (or was covered in metal). Stucco with “joints” made to mimic stone had also been applied to the second story.

Spin Doctor’s drummer Aaron Comess lived at this address, where he created the recording studio His House Studio. In addition to the Spin Doctors, artists and producers who made music at this studio include Phil Ramone, Joan Osborne, Bilal, New York Electric Piano, Ivan Neville, James Maddock, Leslie Mendelson, The Holmes Brothers, Jane Siberry, Mark Kostabi, Ornette Coleman, Steve Gadd, Isaac Hayes, Texas Slim, Saul Zonana, Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkastrata, Tony Levin, True Nature, and Paula Valstein.

This was previously Lot 19.