Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood Home Faces Demolition This Week

URGENT UPDATE: The last home of legendary actress Marilyn Monroe is on the brink of demolition as its owners challenge its historic landmark status in a court hearing this week. The Brentwood property, where Monroe lived during her final months, was purchased for $8.35 million in 2023 by real estate developer Brinah Milstein and reality TV producer Roy Bank.

This legal battle escalated after preservationists successfully lobbied the city of Los Angeles to designate the home as a historic-cultural monument, effectively halting the demolition. The owners argue that the house holds no physical evidence of Monroe’s residence, claiming, “not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing” remains from her time there.

The Los Angeles Conservancy is advocating for the home’s preservation, emphasizing its significance as the only property Monroe owned alone, marking a pivotal chapter in her life. Heather Goers, a preservationist, stated, “If you can’t commemorate the history of Marilyn Monroe, what does that tell us?”

The hearing comes amid increasing public interest in celebrity homes, with tour buses regularly traversing the streets of Brentwood, which also hosts residences of stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kamala Harris. Monroe’s home has become a focal point of this tourism, drawing fans and curious onlookers to the cul-de-sac where privacy has been compromised for the owners.

As the owners push to overturn the historic designation, attorney Peter Sheridan argues that the city has overstepped its bounds, citing potential bias in the landmarking process linked to profit-driven tour operators. Meanwhile, the city attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, counters, reaffirming that all procedures were followed correctly, emphasizing that “mere disagreement is not enough” to invalidate the designation.

Built in 1929 and designed in Spanish Hacienda style, the home is steeped in history. Monroe purchased it just six months before her tragic death on August 4, 1962, a poignant reminder of her legacy. An inscription at the front door reads “Cursum Perficio,” Latin for “The Journey Ends Here,” which adds emotional weight to the house’s significance.

Despite the changes the property has undergone—14 owners and numerous renovations since Monroe’s death—advocates for preservation argue its historical value remains intact. Andrew Salimian, from the Los Angeles Conservancy, stated, “This house is unique and important to telling her story as an artist, celebrity, and iconic figure in Hollywood.”

As the court decision approaches, the emotional stakes rise. Milstein shared a heartfelt account of their family’s struggles with privacy invasion, revealing that their children have been frightened by drones flying overhead. “Our children have been buzzed by low-flying drones while playing in the backyard, running inside, crying in fear,” she testified.

The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how celebrity homes are treated in Los Angeles. Fans and preservationists alike are poised to see if their efforts can save this iconic piece of Hollywood history.

Stay tuned as this story develops, with potential implications for both the local community and the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential entertainers.