Marilyn Monroe home saved: Judge blocks demolition of Brentwood historic landmark after years-long Los Angeles preservation battle
A Los Angeles judge has permanently blocked demolition of Marilyn Monroe’s only owned Brentwood home, preserving its Historic-Cultural Monument status and ending a nearly two-year legal fight that underscored the property’s importance to Hollywood and women’s history.
Key takeaways
- Property protected: 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood — Marilyn Monroe’s only owned home — retained as a Historic-Cultural Monument.
- Court ruling: Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant denied a request to overturn the HCM designation, blocking demolition.
- Preservation impact: Decision reinforces cultural-value grounds for landmark status and highlights underrepresentation of women’s history in historic designations.
History of the house and Monroe’s ownership
The Spanish Colonial Revival house at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive was built in 1929. Marilyn Monroe purchased the property in February 1962 and lived there for the last six months of her life before her death in August 1962 at age 36.
At the time, home ownership by single young women was atypical; Monroe’s ownership is a notable element of both her personal story and broader American women’s history. Preservationists emphasize that, despite subsequent alterations, the house’s core cultural meaning remains intact.
The 2023 demolition threat and owners’ plan
In September 2023, buyers Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the property for $8.35 million and filed paperwork that triggered efforts to demolish the house and expand an adjoining property. That filing prompted immediate public attention and a legal response aimed at keeping the home intact.
Public response and preservation efforts
The demolition proposal drew rapid opposition from preservation groups, local leaders, and fans worldwide. Key organizations mobilized to protect the site, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park initiated the process to designate the house a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). On June 26, 2024, the City Council voted unanimously to list the property as an HCM to preserve both its physical fabric and its cultural story.
“The Monroe house became a rallying point for broader work to raise women’s visibility in historic recognition,” preservation advocates said.
Underrepresentation of women’s history in landmarks
The case highlighted a persistent imbalance: preservation advocates note that fewer than 3% of local landmark designations and roughly 2% of Los Angeles HCMs specifically recognize women’s history. The Monroe house energized initiatives such as the L.A. Women’s Landmarks Project and the National Trust’s Where Women Made History efforts to correct that disparity.
The legal challenge and court ruling
After the Council’s HCM vote, the new owners contested the designation in court, arguing the house had been altered over time, no longer closely resembled the residence Monroe lived in, and that city officials had acted in ways they called “illegal and unconstitutional.” Their aim was to overturn the HCM and clear the way for demolition.
In September 2025, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant denied the owners’ request to set aside the HCM designation, leaving the landmark status intact and blocking demolition. The ruling cited the property’s cultural and historical importance and effectively ended the immediate legal path to raze the home.
What the ruling means for preservation policy
Preservationists say the decision bolsters the City of Los Angeles’ authority to protect properties for cultural reasons, even when buildings have undergone alterations. The ruling sets a practical precedent that associations with significant cultural figures — including ties to women’s history and Hollywood — can justify landmark designation.
Owners’ perspective and ongoing disputes
The owners argued decades of changes meant the property no longer met the standard for landmark protection and framed the designation as a restraint on private property rights, alleging procedural improprieties in the HCM nomination process. Though the court denied their request, legal experts note appeals and further litigation remain possible.
Preservation groups and community reaction
Preservation advocates hailed the ruling as a victory for cultural memory and increased visibility for women’s history. The Los Angeles Conservancy, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, local residents, and fans organized rallies and media outreach that helped elevate the issue and build political support for protection.
Property history since Monroe
The house has passed through roughly 14 owners since Monroe’s tenure, and its physical features were altered over time. That history of change was central to the owners’ legal argument, while preservationists maintained the home’s core historical meaning: it remains the only property Monroe ever bought and lived in.
Implications for San Diego, California
Economic impact: Preserved cultural sites can be economic assets — drawing tourists, film productions, and heritage visitors. San Diego’s tourism and film sectors may see spillover benefits if interest in the Monroe house grows.
Political consequences: City councils and planning bodies across Southern California often look to Los Angeles for policy cues. San Diego officials may face pressure to identify and protect sites tied to women’s history and strengthen nomination procedures.
Social and cultural effects: The ruling highlights public interest in protecting places tied to notable figures. Community groups across San Diego neighborhoods could be encouraged to nominate sites that reflect local stories, especially those related to women leaders, artists, and activists.
Practical advice for residents: Homeowners and neighborhood associations should be aware that landmark processes can affect private development plans. Engage early with city staff and participate in public processes; organized advocacy and public attention can influence outcomes.
Sources and further reading
- The Marilyn Report: Los Angeles judge blocks demolition of Marilyn’s last home
- Patch: Couple’s plan to raze Marilyn Monroe home gets denied by judge
- The Hollywood Home: Inside Marilyn Monroe’s dreamy final home in Brentwood
- National Trust for Historic Preservation / Saving Places: Saving the Marilyn Monroe house in Los Angeles
Reporting by Times Media Service; sources listed above.
