Laemmle Theaters, the family-owned Los Angeles-based arthouse theater chain, is up for sale, Deadline Hollywood reported Friday.

Among the chain’s properties is Laemmle Newhall, a seven-screen multiplex theater and 500-seat auditorium now under construction at the northeast corner of Lyons and Railroad Avenues in Old Town Newhall, just north of the parking structure owned by the city of Santa Clarita.

“I just saw the (Deadline Hollywood) article about the potential sale this morning so we’ll be in touch with Greg (Laemmle, the chain’s president) this week to figure out exactly what the situation is,” Ken Striplin, Santa Clarita City Manager, told SCVNews Saturday afternoon.

“I can’t comment on any of this at this time,” Greg Laemmle said Monday in an email requesting confirmation, adding he’d be in touch as soon as he was able to give accurate information.

It’s not known yet if the reported sale involves Laemmle Newhall along with the entire 41-screen chain now operating in nine locations: the Claremont 5 in Claremont; the Ahrya Fine Arts center on Wilshire Blvd.; The Glendale; The Santa Monica Film Center; the Beverly Hills Music Hall; the Noho 7 in North Hollywood; The Playhouse 7 in Pasadena; the Royal on Santa Monica Boulevard; and the Town Center 5 in Encino.

Laemmle Newhall under construction in Old Town Newhall, June 14, 2019. | Photo: Leon Worden.

Renowned for showcasing independent, foreign and art-house films, the Laemmle chain was established in 1938 by Max Laemmle. Three generations of the family have helmed it, including Max’s son Robert and Robert’s son Greg, who now heads operations.

Related: SCV Newsmaker of the Week – Laemmle Theatres Co-owner Greg Laemmle

Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures, was a cousin of Robert’s father Max and uncle Kurt. The first movie theater Robert purchased was in Highland Park.

Laemmle owns the Newhall complex through its single-purpose entity Laemmle Newhall LLC, which entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the property with the city of Santa Clarita on Feb. 9, 2016.

At the same time on the same block, the city sold adjoining property to the Serrano Development Group, operating as Old Town Main LLC, which is building a 20,000 square-foot mixed-use project, with retail, restaurant space, residential units and underground parking.

The city also at that time began developing the now-completed the 400-stall Old Town Newhall parking structure on the remaining portion of the property.

Groundbreaking for the theater’s construction took place on Oct. 17, 2018. The grand opening is expected by the end of 2019.

“Up until now, there’s been no indication that construction won’t continue — I don’t think that’s in jeopardy at all,” Striplin said. “They were supposed to be open in the fall, but because of the rain delays, my understanding it’s going to be completed before the end of the year, but I don’t yet have a date.”

While Greg Laemmle declined to comment on any pending sale, he did add in his email Monday “that we are moving ahead with construction and are working hard to get the theatre open as quickly as we can.”

This is a developing story. Updated Monday with Laemmle response. More information will be added as it becomes available.