Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Sells to Producer-Led Ownership Group

Avison Young arranged the acquisition of Dolby Theatre, a live performance entertainment auditorium in Hollywood. Built in 2001 and home of the Academy Awards since 2002, the 3,400-seat theater totaling 180,000 square feet is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. and is within the surrounding Ovation Hollywood retail complex, which sold in 2019. The acquisition for an undisclosed sum also included two surface parking lots totaling 1.45 acres.

Chris Bonbright, principal and managing director of Avison Young, represented the buyer, JEBS Hollywood Entertainment LLC. The seller, identified in the Hollywood Reporter as California Public Employees’ Retirement System, was represented by Will Poulsen and Peter Hajimihalis of JLL, and Carl Muhlstein of Muhlstein CRE. 

Debt financing from Castellan Real Estate Partners was arranged by Slatt Capital, led by Antonio Hachem with Cornelius Baliukonis and Wendy Wang.  

JEBS Hollywood Entertainment is led by producer Elie Samaha, and includes Sherwin Jarol, Jeff Sagansky, Jonah Lazowski, Two Girls Holdings, LLC and Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi through his investment firm, Master Investment Group. 

“The new ownership intends to continue its association with the Academy Awards while significantly increasing the number and variety of live performances, including many renowned Latin and other international acts at the fabled Dolby Theater,” said Bonbright.