In a significant legal victory for preservationists, a Los Angeles judge has ruled in favor of maintaining the historic Spanish-style home in Brentwood where Marilyn Monroe lived and tragically passed away. The ruling halts the demolition plans proposed by the home’s current owners, who had sought to strip the house of its historic landmark status. Their argument was that the home had been so extensively altered over the years that it bore no physical trace of Monroe’s presence. However, despite these claims, the judge upheld the decision to preserve the property as a historic landmark.
This legal battle dates back to 2023 when the owners, Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, applied for a demolition permit with plans to combine the Brentwood property with an adjacent lot and raze the existing structure. Initially, a permit was granted for demolition, which sparked immediate opposition from preservationists who believed the home’s historical significance—especially its association with Monroe—should be honored. These preservation efforts led to an emergency freeze on the demolition in 2024, followed by a vote from the Los Angeles City Council designating the home a historic landmark.
The home, which Monroe purchased in 1962 for $77,500, was the actress’s final residence before her untimely death just six months later. Despite changes to the property over the years, the house remained an integral part of Monroe’s personal history, serving as the backdrop to her last years. For many, the house represents not just Monroe’s legacy, but a tangible connection to one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures.
In defending their case, Milstein and Bank argued that the city’s decision to designate the home as a historic landmark had been improperly influenced, claiming that the process was unfair. However, the judge ruled in favor of preservation, citing the cultural importance of Monroe’s association with the property. Monroe’s enduring legacy as a symbol of glamour and tragedy played a central role in securing the court’s decision. Supporters of the preservation effort celebrated the ruling, seeing it as a victory for both history and heritage.
Although some critics argue that the city’s preservation efforts were delayed and that the property could have been protected sooner, the court’s decision ensures that the modest, yet historically significant, home remains standing. Complete with original architectural elements, including its distinctive pool, the house will continue to stand as a reminder of Monroe’s life and legacy in Los Angeles.
While the owners’ original plans for redevelopment are now on hold, the legal victory preserves an important part of Hollywood history, ensuring that Monroe’s memory is kept alive in a space that was once her final home. The preservation of this iconic property also reflects the growing recognition of the cultural and historical value of places associated with celebrities and cultural icons.
