The music studio where David Bowie recorded his final album closed on 16 March after nearly three decades in New York City. The Magic Shop, in New York City, where David Bowie, Coldplay and The Foo Fighters recorded music over the years, was forced to close its doors after rising costs became too much for owner Steve Rosenthal to endure, according to reports.

With his health failing, Bowie cut his final album, Blackstar, shortly before he died in January. The album was released just two days before he died, and went straight to the top of the album charts. Coldplay's Viva La Vida album, Sonic Youth's Dirty and Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways were also recorded and mixed in the studio. Older records by Rolling Stones and Woody Guthrie were digitally remastered there.

"I did everything I could to try and keep the place," Rosenthal said. He added the struggling music industry also added to the studio's demise.

Crosby Street, where The Magic Shop is located, is now lined with condos and the gentrification is a far cry from the type of gritty back alley it was in 1988 when the studio opened and reflected the New York music scene, according to reports. Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl attempted to help Rosenthal buy the property, but the building's owners wouldn't sell.

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