Musician John Mayer and director McG (Joseph McGinty Nichol) are purchasing the historic Jim Henson Company Lot.
Jim Henson Company Lot Sold
Mayer and McG agreed to pay over $40 million to purchase the lot, a source told the Los Angeles Times. Mayer already has an office on the lot and has reportedly been working for months to buy it. Mayer’s representative Larry Solters confirmed in an email that “John Mayer and McG are under contract to purchase Henson Studios.”
In October, it was reported the Church of Scientology had purchased the lot but Jim Henson’s family refuted this.
The Henson family announced they were selling the former Charlie Chaplin Studios earlier this year as “part of a much longer-term strategy to have The Jim Henson Company and our renowned Burbank-based Jim Henson’s Creature Shop under one roof, which is not feasible in Hollywood due to the space the Shop requires.” (via The Wrap)
The Jim Henson Company plans to remain as a tenant on the lot, which was established by Charlie Chaplin in 1919. The 80,000-square-foot Jim Henson Company Lot includes recording studios, a 10,000-square-foot sound stage, and a woodworking shop. The Jim Henson Company installed a 12-foot statue of Kermit the Frog dressed as Charlie Chaplin’s The Tramp when they purchased the lot 25 years ago.
Chairman Brian Henson said at the time, “When we heard the Chaplin lot was for sale, we had to have it. It’s the perfect home for the Muppets and our particular brand of classy but eccentric entertainment.” (via Los Angeles Business Journal)
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.