PHOTO: Marilyn Monroe. FILE
In a decisive move, the Los Angeles City Council has ensured that the former residence of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe will be preserved for posterity. The council’s unanimous decision to designate Monroe’s Brentwood home as a local historical landmark comes as a significant victory for historic preservation enthusiasts and admirers of the late actress.
Council member Traci Park, who spearheaded the landmark proposal, highlighted the cultural and historical significance of Monroe and her only owned home. “There is no other person or place in the city of Los Angeles as iconic as Marilyn Monroe and her Brentwood home,” Park stated. “Losing this piece of history would be a devastating blow for historic preservation and for a city where less than 3% of historic designations are associated with women’s heritage.”
(Gene Lester/Getty Images; Realtor.com)
The Preservation Controversy
The property, purchased last August for approximately $8.35 million by real estate heiress Brinah Milstein and her husband, reality TV producer Roy Bank, became the focal point of a heated preservation dispute. Milstein and Bank, who also own the neighboring property, planned to demolish Monroe’s former home to expand their own residence. Initially, the city had approved the demolition permit, but the process was paused when the landmark status of the home came under consideration.
In response, the homeowners filed a lawsuit, accusing the city of “illegal and unconstitutional conduct” regarding the landmark designation. They argued that Monroe’s association with the house was minimal, citing that she lived there for only six months before her tragic death 61 years ago. The lawsuit emphasized that the home had been “substantially altered” since Monroe’s time, with no remaining physical evidence of her occupancy. Additionally, the lawsuit mentioned that the property had become a nuisance due to the influx of tourists and onlookers.
Marilyn Monroe’s former L.A. home has been designated a landmark.
(Realtor.com)
A Glimpse into Hollywood’s Past
Monroe’s former home, which she purchased for $77,000 in February 1962, is a quintessential piece of Hollywood history. Described as a “fortress where I can feel safe from the world” by Monroe, the house remains a testament to her legacy and personal life. The hacienda-style residence, built in 1929, retains many of its original features despite alterations over the decades. The 2,600-square-foot property includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and is characterized by beamed ceilings, terra-cotta tile floors, and casement windows.
The half-acre lot, which offers a private pool and a citrus orchard, still reflects the charm and aesthetic Monroe cherished, notably through the Mexican tiles and textiles she selected to furnish the house.
A Victory for Historical Preservation
The council’s decision to preserve Monroe’s Brentwood home underscores the importance of protecting cultural landmarks associated with influential figures, especially those that highlight women’s contributions to history. As a newly minted historical landmark, the residence will continue to offer a tangible connection to Marilyn Monroe’s legacy and her indelible mark on Hollywood’s storied past.
SOURCE: REALTOR.COM