SubCat Music Studios in harmony with new neighbor, the Red House

Taken From The Post-Standard.  Written by Rick Moriarty on November 14, 2009

A commercial building in Armory Square will soon see new life as a cafe, a music recording studio and a place for artists to stay while performing at the Red House Arts Center next door.

SubCat Music Studios will relocate from Skaneateles and occupy most of the first floor and cellar level of 219 S. West St. when a recently launched renovation of the three-story building is completed in late spring or early summer, said Kristen Brandt, who speaks for the project.

Founded in Skaneateles in 2002, SubCat has expanded its studio services to include CD duplication and album art design and needs the extra space that the Armory Square building will provide, Brandt said. The studio is owned by three audio engineers — Ron Keck, Derek Yackel and Jeremy Johnston.

A glass-enclosed, one-story addition to the rear of the building will house a cafe that will offer a small menu of coffees, wines, beer, appetizers and snacks. It will be open to the public and double as a lounge where artists and patrons can mingle , she said.

“It will complement Red House shows,” Brandt said. “People can come here after a show and maybe listen to talks by the artists.”

Scott Allyn, a physician and a musician, owns the building and is heading up the project.

Allyn, a member of the Red House board of directors, has applied to the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency for a sales tax exemption on construction materials.

His application estimates the cost of the project at $3.1 million, city officials said. The agency will hold a public hearing Tuesday.

The project also is eligible for state Empire Zone property tax exemptions.

Red House Art Radio, an Internet radio station launched in May and temporarily housed at the arts center, will also occupy the cellar.

The second floor will become available for rental as musical or dance rehearsal space or for business meetings or cocktail receptions.

Part of the second floor will house music and performing arts classroom space under development by 219 South West LLC, the company Allyn has created to own and operate the building.

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