Razing begins at music site

Demolition is underway at the historic former Philadelphia International Records headquarters, which is being cleared to make way for a luxury high-rise.

The razing of 309 S. Broad St. began about 9 a.m. Saturday, coinciding with the celebration of National Record Store Day.

For more than 40 years, the property was owned by the songwriting partners Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who produced more than 50 gold and platinum records and birthed the legendary "Sound of Philadelphia."

The building fell into disrepair in 2010 after a fire blamed on arson that caused a reported $3.5 million in property damage.

Gamble, Huff, and fellow producer Thom Bell sold the building to Dranoff Properties, which last year announced plans to demolish it for the 47-story SLS LUX Philadelphia Hotel & SLS International Residences.

Construction on the residential building is slated to begin in the fall.