**Marilyn Monroe’s Last Home Faces Demolition Threat Amid Landmark Status Dispute**
Marilyn Monroe’s final residence is at risk of demolition as its owners seek to overturn its historic landmark designation in court. Brinah Milstein, daughter of a notable Cleveland real estate developer, and Roy Bank, a reality TV producer, purchased the Brentwood property for $8.35 million in 2023. This is the location where the iconic actress, known for films like “Some Like It Hot” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” spent her last six months.
After the couple obtained a demolition permit, preservationists successfully urged the city of Los Angeles to classify the house as a historic-cultural monument, thus protecting it from destruction. Milstein and Bank intended to merge this site with an adjacent lot, which they have owned since 2016, to enhance the property, according to their attorney, Peter Sheridan. He questioned the validity of the landmark designation, stating, “LA has thousands of celebrities who live and die here. Is every house that those good folks lived in a ‘historic monument’? Not in the least.”
Celebrity residences are a significant draw for tourists in Los Angeles, with numerous star tour buses traversing from Hollywood to the coast. In Brentwood, notable stops include the homes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kamala Harris, and Harrison Ford. While few celebrities possess the same tragic allure as Monroe, her former home’s historical significance is contested by its current owners. Their lawsuit claims that there is no physical evidence linking Monroe to the house, asserting, “not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing.”
The lawsuit further alleges that the city has overstepped its authority by collaborating with profit-driven tour operators and biased conservationists, infringing on the owners’ rights. However, city attorneys maintain that they adhered to proper procedures, including gathering evidence of the property’s importance in Monroe’s life. They argue that mere disagreement does not invalidate the city’s lawful actions.
Monroe purchased the home for $75,000 just six months before her untimely death, marking her first independent property acquisition following her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. An inscription near the front door, “Cursum Perficio,” translates to “The Journey Ends Here,” likely predating her ownership but adding a poignant touch to her legacy. Preservationist Heather Goers noted that Monroe was arguably the most influential female entertainer of the 20th century, highlighting that less than 3% of Los Angeles’ 1,300 historic properties honor women’s history.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of Monroe’s last home remains uncertain, raising questions about the preservation of cultural heritage and the significance of celebrity history in Los Angeles.
**FAQ**
*What is the current status of Marilyn Monroe’s last home?*
The home is currently designated as a historic-cultural monument, protecting it from demolition, but its owners are challenging this status in court.
