Smart Studios Has Been On The Market In Madison For More Than A Year

The lure of owning the studio where such bands as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage recorded hasn’t been enough to get Smart Studios off the real estate market in Madison, Wis.

The studio, which played an important role in the alternative music scene throughout the late 90s, has been on the market since Sept. 27, 2009. The current asking price is $599,900.

According to the listing on the Lauer Realty Group website, the studio at 1254 East Washington Ave. comes with 2,799 square feet of space.

“The owner has spruced up the place and is humbled to have had the opportunity to thrive here, but is moving to the West Coast,” the listing states.

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According to a 2018 ToneMadison.com article, Butch Vig and Steve Marker initially opened Smart Studios at a different location on Washington in 1983 before moving to the building at 1254 in 1987. The studio is currently owned by Press Play, Madison, who dropped the “Smart” moniker in favor of Press Play Studio.

Among the notable albums recorded and mixed at Smart Studios are The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Gish,” L7’s “Bricks Are Heavy,” and Fall Out Boy’s “Take This To Your Grave,” along with multiple albums from Vig and Marker’s own band, Garbage.