Hulic buys former Sony Music Entertainment building in Nogizaka from disgraced talent agency
A well-known office building near Nogizaka Station in central Tokyo has changed hands again, with real estate developer Hulic acquiring the property from SMILE-UP, formerly Johnny & Associates.
The Akasaka building was previously owned by Sony Music Entertainment and was once known as the “SME Nogizaka Building.”
Sony Music sold the property to Johnny & Associates in 2018 as part of a reorganization of its offices.
The property has six floors above ground and three basement levels and includes a music studio. SMILE-UP has continued to occupy the building following the sale to Hulic, while the transaction price has not been disclosed.
Screenshot courtesy of Google street view taken in September 2023.
Johnny & Associates was renamed SMILE-UP. in 2023 following a well-covered scandal involving its late founder.
The company has since been handling compensation for the scandal victims and has sold some of the real estate it previously owned in prime areas of Tokyo.
The acquisition adds another centrally located Tokyo property to Hulic’s portfolio. The developer has been active in acquiring properties in central Tokyo in recent years.
Further Reading:
Nippon TV News NNN - Johnny & Associates’ “Last Day”: New Company Name “SMILE-UP.” Begins Tomorrow (Japanese only)
