The Jim Henson Company will not sell its historic studio property on Hollywood’s La Brea Avenue to the Church of Scientology.
This week, reports began circulating that the Church of Scientology was finalizing the purchase of the studio property that has housed the Muppets for more than 20 years. However, a representative from the Jim Henson Company admitted: variety It announced on Saturday that no such deal had been reached.
“Regarding recent rumors regarding the sale of the La Brea studio site, the Henson family has no business dealings with the Church of Scientology, and the organization is not being considered as a potential buyer of the property,” a spokesperson said. said. The Jim Henson family said in a statement: “Although it is the family’s intention to move the Jim Henson Company to a new location that will be shared with the Jim Henson Creature Shop, the family has not entered into escrow with any buyers at this time.”
The Jim Henson Company purchased the five-acre property from Seagram in 1999 for $12.5 million. (The site was used as A&M Studios at the time). Originally known as the Charlie Chaplin Studio, the site was designated a Historic and Cultural Monument by the Los Angeles Heritage Commission in 1969.
Deadline first reported the news.
