Laemmle to Lead Farewell Ride to Playhouse 7

Laemmle Theatres President Greg Laemmle will host a final farewell ride tribute to the Pasadena Playhouse 7 movie theatre from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 26.

The bicycle ride will start at Union Station in Los Angeles.

“After 23 years operating the Playhouse 7, it is time to turn the facility over to the next operator. Join me for this farewell ride,” Laemmle said in a Facebook Post. “We’ll head up the Arroyo Seco to Pasadena, and then over to the Playhouse where we can have one last look at the place where we got out of the heat on past Tour de Laemmle rides. Then off to the Rose Bowl before we climb past the Art Center and then the long descent on Chevy Chase. Then across the LA River on the new North Atwater Bridge, and along the LA River back to Downtown LA and a cold one at Highland Park Brewery.”

New operator Landmark Theatres has entered into a long-term lease agreement for the Playhouse 7 movie theater, which is located next to Vroman’s Bookstore on Colorado Boulevard.

Landmark plans to undertake a series of renovations in the coming months to the seven-screen, 1,300-seat venue located at 673 E. Colorado Blvd. Planned improvements include upgrades of the sound and projection systems and modernized seats.

The newly-renovated movie house is expected to reopen later this summer.

Laemmle Theatres had announced in February the sale of its 22,897 square-foot Pasadena location on Colorado Boulevard near El Molino Avenue in the city’s trendy Playhouse Village to GD Realty Group of Los Angeles, owner and developer of urban commercial real estate in prime Southern California locations.

According to a statement released at the time of the announcement, the sale also included a leaseback that would allow the theater to continue operating, which Pasadena Now reported.

Under a leaseback agreement, the company that sells an asset leases back all or a portion of that same asset from the purchaser.

But when plans to redesign to property reached the Design Commission, it did not space for the movie theater. Earlier this year Pasadena Now reported the city was working to reach a solution that would see the theater remain.

Landmark Theatres said it will upgrade the theater’s sound and projection systems and in the coming months, after opening, will complete an upgrade of the facilities to reflect Landmark’s luxury styling, including the installation of modern comfortable seating.

At the concession stand, offerings will be expanded to include new gourmet and healthy food items, alongside traditional movie theater favorites, including Orville Redenbacher popcorn and real butter.

Beer and wine will continue to be available, with plans to expand the offering to full spirits.

The Playhouse 7 opened February 5, 1999. It was built by Laemmle Theatres from the ground up and has been continuously operated by the family-run art house chain since 1938.