The owners of the home went to demolish it and replace it with an ultra-luxury home. But the Council had other ideas.
The Los Angeles City Council recently voted to grant landmark status to Marilyn Monroe’s former residence in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood, marking a significant turn in a contentious battle over the property’s future. The 2,900-square-foot estate, where the iconic actress tragically passed away, features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, beamed ceilings, terra-cotta tile floors, and a spacious backyard with a swimming pool, citrus trees, and a manicured lawn.
The landmark decision was spearheaded by Councilmember Park, who highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the home, noting that some of the most famous images of Monroe were taken there. “Marilyn Monroe is synonymous with Los Angeles history, and her Brentwood home is a locus of her enduring legacy,” Park stated. He emphasized that Monroe’s mystique and the public’s fascination with her life and death continue to resonate, underscoring the importance of preserving such a symbolic site.
LA City Council saves Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home from demolition https://t.co/dV5yctkFLx via @ladailynews
— Robin Pogrebin (@rpogrebin) June 27, 2024
The house became the center of controversy after its new owners, Roy Bank and Brinah Milstein, purchased the property for $8.35 million in July 2023 with intentions to demolish it to expand their adjacent estate. Shortly after acquiring the house, the couple obtained a demolition permit. However, their plans were halted when Park proposed the motion to designate the house as a historic landmark, a motion that later won the approval of both the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
Bank and Milstein subsequently sued the city, arguing that the historical designation was unconstitutional and claimed that the city had overstated Monroe’s connection to the house, asserting she had lived there only for six months before her death 61 years ago. They contended that the preservation efforts did not meet the criteria for a Historic-Cultural Monument, pointing out that the property had undergone numerous renovations under various owners over the years without objection.
Owners of Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood, Los Ageles home blast preservation vote https://t.co/yVl17Pwbc3
— Frankie Crisostomo (@FrancCrist) June 27, 2024
Despite these claims, a judge denied the couple’s request for an injunction to prevent the landmark status, and a trial-setting conference is scheduled for August 13. The couple’s lawsuit highlights their view that the city’s actions were driven by backroom dealings rather than genuine historical preservation.
Marilyn Monroe, an enduring symbol of 20th-century American cinema and culture, died in the home in 1962 at the age of 36. Her death was officially ruled as an overdose of sleeping pills, though it remains unclear whether it was accidental or intentional. She was found alone in her bed, with an unhooked telephone in one hand and a bottle of pills beside her.
Silver-screen icon Marilyn Monroe’s 2900 sq ft “hacienda style” home, tucked away on a cul-de-sac in Brentwood has been saved from the wrecking ball. The house was classified as a historical monument on Wednesday with a unanimous 12-0 vote. (1/2)https://t.co/wLJaxwbdTi?
— ALL GONE (@LateModelFord) June 27, 2024
This landmark decision is not just about preserving a piece of real estate but rather about maintaining a tangible connection to a pivotal figure in Hollywood’s history, ensuring that Marilyn Monroe’s legacy continues to be accessible and tangible for future generations.
Key Points:
i. Marilyn Monroe’s former residence in Brentwood has been granted landmark status by the Los Angeles City Council after a contentious debate.
ii. The property, featuring a 2,900-square-foot estate with a swimming pool and lush garden, was where Monroe tragically died.
iii. New owners, Roy Bank and Brinah Milstein, purchased the home for $8.35 million with plans to demolish it, leading to a lawsuit against the city for its preservation efforts.
iv. The city defended the landmark designation by highlighting Monroe’s significant cultural impact and the historical value of the home where iconic images of her were captured.
v. Legal proceedings continue, with a judge denying an injunction against the landmark status and a trial-setting conference scheduled for August 13.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
