At Last, Construction on Laemmle Movie Theater in NoHo Set to Begin

Construction on the final phase of a more than $250 million, decade-long development project in the NoHo Arts District is set to begin this week.

Laemmle Theaters will begin construction on a seven-screen movie theater, NoHo 7, and plans to complete the project by the end of this year, according to the development firm, J.H. Snyder Co. The Laemmle construction project has been delayed several times.

"Laemmle Theatres are a favorite among film lovers, and this community asked for the family owned business by name," Snyder Co. senior partner Michael Wise. "We're proud to be completing our redevelopment project by following through on our commitment to the public and bringing this renowned entertainment experience to the NoHo Arts District."

The Snyder Co., which contributed land and parking for the theater as well as nearly $500,000 in development funding, also provided Laemmle Theatres with a $2.6 million loan, according to the company.

The theater project is intended to be the capstone of a 10-year NoHo redevelopment project that included the addition of 700 residential units, 60,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a 180,000-square-foot office building. The theater will be adjacent to the and the relocated , which was also part of the $250 million project and reopened last month.

'We are excited to begin construction on our ninth Laemmle Theater location, which will serve as a solid anchor for the NoHo Arts District," said Greg Laemmle, president of Laemmle Theatres, calling the neighborhood an under- served area for high-quality films.

The 34,000 square-foot NoHo 7 movie house will include a ground-level restaurant.

Los Angeles City CouncilmemberTom LaBonge, who represents NoHo, welcomed news of the project's step forward.

"Movie lovers of all ages have looked forward to a high-quality movie theater in North Hollywood for years,'' he said. "The addition of Laemmle Theatres will solidify and enhance the creative spirit that the NoHo Arts District has come to represent in the City of Los Angeles."

The City News Service contributed to this report.