A Tragic End for a Legend's Last Haven? Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood Home Faces Demolition

The echoes of Hollywood's Golden Age are under threat as the only home ever owned by the legendary Marilyn Monroe, a cherished Spanish-style property nestled in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, faces an imminent demolition. This impending loss has ignited a fierce battle between determined preservationists and the property's new owners, who reportedly plan to raze the historic structure, sparking widespread outrage and a desperate fight to save a tangible piece of cinematic history.

For decades, the single-story, 2,900-square-foot residence at 12305 5th Helena Drive has stood as a poignant symbol of Monroe's brief, yet impactful, personal life away from the dazzling glare of the cameras.

It was here, in 1962, that the iconic actress tragically passed away at the age of 36. Purchased by Monroe for $77,500, the hacienda-style house, complete with a swimming pool and surrounded by lush grounds, represented a rare sanctuary for a woman constantly in the public eye. Its potential destruction is seen by many as a disrespectful erasure of a significant cultural landmark.

The saga began when the property was reportedly sold for a staggering $8.35 million.

Shortly after the sale, in early September, the city's Department of Building and Safety issued a demolition permit, effectively greenlighting the obliteration of Monroe's former residence. This move blindsided preservation advocates who had long viewed the house as a prime candidate for historic landmark status, a designation that would protect it from such fates.

However, the fight is far from over.

The Los Angeles City Council has stepped in, issuing a temporary halt to the demolition proceedings. Councilmember Traci Park, representing the district where the home is located, initiated the emergency motion. This action mandates that the Department of Building and Safety rescind the demolition permit and requires the city's Cultural Heritage Commission to urgently consider the property for historic-cultural monument status.

The commission had previously recommended the house for this very status in 2013, although the city council at the time did not move forward with the designation.

The current push for preservation highlights the house's unique and undeniable connection to Marilyn Monroe, an icon whose influence continues to resonate globally.

Advocates argue that beyond its architectural merits, the home's association with Monroe's life and death imbues it with profound cultural and historical significance. Its loss would not merely be the destruction of a building, but the obliteration of a tangible link to one of the 20th century's most enduring figures.

As the legal and emotional battle unfolds, the fate of Marilyn Monroe's last private refuge hangs in the balance.

Preservationists, along with countless fans and historians, hope that the renewed efforts will succeed in protecting this irreplaceable piece of Hollywood lore, ensuring that the legacy of a star, and her only home, can endure for future generations.