Marilyn Monroe’s final resting place is now protected. It was designated a historic monument on Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council, a classification which aims to avoid the destruction of this house where the actress took her last breath.
The decision was approved by a unanimous vote. It should allow the city to protect the building, located in the wealthy district of Brentwood and recently acquired by rich Americans who wish to raze it.
A tragic death at 36
“There is no other person or place in the city of Los Angeles as iconic as Marilyn Monroe and her Brentwood home,” said City Councilwoman Traci Park. “Some of the most famous images of her were taken in this house, on this land and by her swimming pool. Marilyn died there tragically, which links her forever, in time and space, to this place,” she added.
Marilyn Monroe bought this 2,900-square-foot single-story hacienda in 1962, just after her divorce from writer Arthur Miller, in an attempt to regain some semblance of privacy. It was in this house, invisible from the street, that the star was found dead just six months later from a drug overdose at just 36 years old. The place has had several owners since the star’s death. Men prefer blondes et Some like it hot.
But controversy erupted last year after it was bought by Brinah Milstein, a wealthy heiress, and Roy Bank, a reality TV producer. The couple, who own a neighboring house, acquired the house for $8.35 million, with plans to raze it to expand. But their demolition permit was quickly canceled by the city, because of the historical issue. This decision prompted the new owners to take the matter to court. A case that the courts have not yet decided on the merits.
Demolition remains possible
The city’s classification of the house does not prohibit its demolition. But this requires rigorous scrutiny before the municipal heritage commission. The couple offered to move the house, to make it accessible to fans, still fascinated by the actress. An option still under study, according to Traci Park.
“My team and I worked closely with the owners to evaluate the possibility of moving the house to a location where the public could actually visit it and spend time,” the city councilor also explained.
