A Hollywood Legacy at Risk
The Brentwood home where Marilyn Monroe spent her final days has become the focus of a heated legal battle that has captured the attention of preservationists, fans, and property owners alike. Nestled at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, the Spanish style residence represents Monroe’s first independent purchase after her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. For many admirers, it is more than a house. It is a symbol of the actress’s brief but iconic life.
Yet today, that same home may be demolished as its current owners seek to combine the lot with their neighboring residence.
The Current Owners and Their Plans
The property was purchased last year for nearly 8.4 million dollars by Brinah Milstein, daughter of Cleveland developer Michael Milstein, and her husband, reality television producer Roy Bank. The couple already owned the adjacent parcel since 2016 and intended to merge the two sites into a larger private residence. Shortly after acquiring Monroe’s former home, they secured a demolition permit to begin work.
Their plan, however, was swiftly interrupted when preservation advocates petitioned the City of Los Angeles to declare the home a historic cultural monument. That designation halted demolition and placed the couple’s expansion plans in limbo.
The Legal Fight Over Landmark Status
The dispute is now being weighed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Attorneys for the couple argue that the property should not qualify as a historic landmark. They claim that despite Monroe’s brief time in the residence, there is no physical evidence or structural element that connects her life directly to the home today.
“Los Angeles has thousands of celebrities who live and die here,” attorney Peter Sheridan told Bloomberg. “Is every house where they resided a historic monument? Not in the least.”
On the other side, preservationists believe the cultural and emotional significance of the property far outweighs the lack of original features. Monroe bought the home in 1962 for seventy five thousand dollars, the only house she ever purchased entirely on her own. It was within these walls that she celebrated personal triumphs, including her Golden Globe win, and prepared for her memorable “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” performance for John F. Kennedy.
A Home With a Complicated Past
Since Monroe’s passing more than sixty years ago, the property has changed hands fourteen times. Along the way, additions and renovations altered the original design. A recreation room, a studio, and other updates reflect the tastes of its many owners.
Despite these changes, the home remains a magnet for fans and tour groups who continue to visit the quiet Brentwood cul de sac. For Milstein and Bank, the lack of privacy has become a growing concern, with crowds and even drones invading the neighborhood.
Possible Compromise: Relocation
In an effort to balance preservation with their personal rights, the couple has expressed openness to relocating the home to a more public site. This would allow admirers to continue honoring Monroe’s memory while enabling them to move forward with their plans for a unified residence. Whether this compromise gains traction remains uncertain, but it highlights the delicate balance between private property rights and cultural preservation in Los Angeles.
More Than Just Real Estate
The case raises larger questions about what makes a property historically significant. Is it the architecture, the presence of original features, or the stories that took place within its walls? For Monroe’s fans, the Brentwood home is sacred ground. For the owners, it is a private property burdened by unwanted attention.
The court’s decision will set an important precedent not only for this case but also for how Los Angeles navigates similar disputes in the future.
Conclusion
Marilyn Monroe’s former Brentwood home stands at the intersection of celebrity history, cultural preservation, and modern property rights. Whether it remains standing, is relocated, or ultimately demolished, the story underscores how real estate often carries value that goes far beyond bricks and mortar.