Los Angeles Theatres: Laemmle NoHo 7

5240 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood (Los Angeles), CA 91601 | map |

The news: The circuit has re-purchased the theatre building. See "Laemmle Theatres Reacquires the NoHo 7, Securing the Future of Independent Film in North Hollywood," an April 15, 2026 post on the Laemmle blog. Thanks to Donavan S. Moye for spotting the news. During Covid the building had been sold to a developer with a leaseback so the theatre could continue to operate temporarily. There had been plans to demolish it and build a seven story retail and residential and retail building on the site.

Opened: December 21, 2011. It's located on the east side of the street a block north of Magnolia Blvd. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2022

Website: www.laemmle.com

Seating: 1,019 in 7 auditoria. Thanks to Scott Weinfeld for getting the numbers: #1 - 220, #2 - 226, #3 - 128, #4 - 77, #5 - 130, #6 - 126, #7 - 112.

A December 21, 2011 grand opening ad. Thanks to Scott Weinfeld for locating it.

In May 2021 Laemmle sold the property to North Carolina-based developer Grubb Properties for $9.5 million. They did a lease-back deal to allow the theatre to continue to operate. Greg Laemmle noted:

"We're going to operate as long as we can. We don't think it’s in anyone's best interest to have just a vacant property, but that’s going to be their decision."

The developer planned to demolish the 33,000 sf. two-story building and replace it with a seven-story 128 unit apartment complex on the site that would also have had 5,000 s.f. of commercial space. The plans were announced in "Show's over? Laemmle NoHo 7 theater to become multifamily," a September 13, 2022 article by Trevor Bach and Christian Bautista for the real estate blog The Real Deal. Thanks to Donavan S. Moye for spotting the story.

Laemmle did similar sale and leaseback deals with other developers during the pandemic for the Royal and Pasadena Playhouse 7. The new owners of the Playhouse 7 later leased that complex to Landmark. The Royal is still in operation by Laemmle. The Claremont 5 had a sale pending but Laemmle pulled out, although noting that the venue's future was still uncertain if business doesn't pick up. In 2025 they ended up selling that one to Regency Theatres.

The site HyperAllergic had an October 2022 article about the concern of the locals about the potential closing titled "Behind the Fight to Save North Hollywood's Last Indie Cinema."

Status: The circuit re-purchased the theatre building in 2026. See "Laemmle Theatres Reacquires the NoHo 7, Securing the Future of Independent Film in North Hollywood," an April 15 post on the Laemmle blog. Thanks to Donavan S. Moye for spotting the news. Greg Laemmle noted:

"This reacquisition represents more than a real estate transaction. It’s a reaffirmation of purpose. With ownership comes stability, and with stability comes the ability to plan ahead: to book films with confidence, to host festivals and special screenings, and to deepen our ties to the filmmaking community and audiences alike."

Senior Vice President Jay Reisbaum adds:

"Most immediately, it is great knowing that we are back in control, and that we can commit to films, screenings, and festivals beyond just a 60-day window. Our commitment to NoHo is rooted in a long-standing belief in the neighborhood itself. The theater’s proximity to the North Hollywood Metro station makes it one of the most accessible venues in our circuit, and we’ve long seen the neighborhood’s lofty potential as a cultural hub. So while the district is still finding its footing post-pandemic, we remain optimistic about its future and are excited to continue growing alongside it."

Interior views: