The House That Hendrix Built is about to get a facelift -- but not if fans of Hendrix and countless other bands that have recorded at New York's Electric Lady Studios can help it.

By permission of the city's Landmarks Commission, the building owner, Friedland & Associates, soon plans to remove the circular brick facade that Hendrix added to the now historic building on West 8th Street in Manhattan when he constructed Electric Lady there in 1970. Friedland obtained a permit to install a uniform glass storefront in its place in 1993.

Asked Wednesday about growing opposition to the construction plans, Lawrence Friedland told ATN, "I don't know anything about it," adding, "I will check with my architect" concerning the building's historical significance.

But contrary to Friedland's brief remarks, petitioning to stay the destruction has been fast and furious, said a source close to Electric Lady's daily operations who preferred to remain anonymous. "It's a travesty -- I'm not sure what's going to happen as of yet." According to the source, the Hendrix estate remains in close touch with the studio, although the estate does not own it. "They certainly don't want it to be moved, but they don't have a lot of power," the source said.

Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister and president of Experience Hendrix, a family-run company organized to protect the late rock guitarist's name, was out of town and unavailable for comment.

Electric Lady has enjoyed an unending heyday...