A judge is mulling a dispute between the city of Los Angeles, which has declared Marilyn Monroe’s former home a cultural landmark, and a couple’s desire to demolish it.
Brinah Milstein and her husband, producer Roy Bank, bought the residence in July 2023 for $8.35 million and obtained a demolition permit from the city. They want to move forward with their planned razing so they can tear down the Monroe structure to expand their current home, which is adjacent to the property.
Bank and Milstein filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court in May 2024, alleging “illegal and unconstitutional conduct” by the city with respect to the house where they say Monroe occasionally lived for a “mere six months” before she “tragically committed suicide” on Aug. 4, 1962, at age 36.
Judge James C. Chalfant heard arguments on Thursday, took the case under submission and said he would have a ruling early next week.
According to court papers from the City Attorney’s Office, the public inundated city officials with calls and emails to “express their dismay” at the imminent demolition of the home and urging preservation of the property.
In response, City Councilwoman Traci Park announced an effort to save the house by initiating the historic-cultural monument application, which was later approved.
Monroe would have turned 100 next June 1.
I don’t understand celebrating a “death house” as a historical monument. Monroe lived in this house very briefly & it became the “death house” of both Norma Jeane Mortenson, the orphaned waif & of Marilyn Monroe, the movie star & international sex symbol. That’s all. Further, the house is located on a very narrow Cul de sac with 8-foot-high walls obstructing the view of the house, which cannot even be seen from the road & sits on a privately owned lot in a very peaceful & high-end area of Los Angeles & the lives of other homeowners in the neighborhood could be very negatively affected. This proposed “monument” was the brainchild of a single member of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, even after the owners already had pre-approved plans for their property, valued at north of $8 million. This kind of abuse of the ownership of one’s personal property, especially for whimsical reasons, should be outlawed. This is all so unnecessary & useless & is a hardship the property owner should not have to endure. Marilyn Monroe’s life is celebrated by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of organized fan clubs around the world. Millions continue to visit MM’s crypt in Westwood to be close to her & celebrate her life & career. Her movies are her legacy & are still seen today by millions of fans, both new & old. MM has been dead for 63 years but her memory is immortal & her “death house” need not be turned into a reminder of her tragic life story.