The current owners of Marilyn Monroe’s former Los Angeles home, Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, have filed a lawsuit against the city in an attempt to demolish the iconic residence. The couple purchased the property for $8.35 million last summer with plans to tear it down and extend their own house, but city leaders intervened after learning of their intentions.
City council initially granted a demolition permit for the house, but a landmark designation process that began shortly after halted their plans. The Cultural Heritage Commission and the city council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee have approved the landmark application, which still requires full city council approval by mid-June.
Milstein and Bank have accused the city of engaging in illegal and unconstitutional conduct in its efforts to save the house, which they claim does not meet the criteria for a Historic Cultural Monument. They argue that Monroe’s connection to the house has been exaggerated, stating that she only lived there for six months before her death and that the house has undergone numerous changes over the years.
The couple is seeking a court order to block the landmark designation process, emphasizing that the city has taken no action regarding the alleged historic or cultural status of the house in the 60 years since Monroe’s death. They believe that the city’s efforts to preserve the residence are unnecessary and infringe on their property rights as owners.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the fate of Marilyn Monroe’s former home remains uncertain. The lawsuit filed by Milstein and Bank highlights the complex relationship between property rights and historical preservation, raising questions about the significance of preserving iconic locations connected to famous figures. The outcome of the case will have implications for the future of the Brentwood residence and the broader debate surrounding the preservation of historic properties.
