L.A.’s specialty cinema scene is changing, with Laemmle Theater’s West Hollywood Sunset 5 set to change hands and a new multiplex opening in North Hollywood.
Laemmle, which currently operates eight theaters in the Los Angeles area, announced Thursday it will not re-up its lease of the Sunset 5 that expires at the end of the month, while Laemmle will open the NoHo 7 on Lankershim Blvd., adjacent to the TV Academy, on Dec. 21.
Dine-in circuit Sundance Cinemas has opted to take over Sunset 5 operations, making it the first L.A. theater for the circuit, which is part of Robert Redford’s Sundance brand. Sunset 5 will close on Dec. 1 for renovations and is set to re-open next spring.
“We had a great run at the Sunset 5,” Laemmle prexy Greg Laemmle told Variety. “It’s not on the cutting edge for us anymore, but we still feel independent cinema is alive and well.”
Laemmle said the North Hollywood location will continue to screen independent films, but also play major studio fare.
Sundance Cinemas has locations in San Francisco and Madison, Wisc, with a Houston location set to open Nov. 23.
