Marilyn Monroe’s final home—an intimate Spanish-style residence in Brentwood where she spent her last six months—is now at the center of a heated legal and cultural battle. The property, bought in 2023 for $8.35 million by Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, could face demolition if its owners succeed in overturning its newly assigned historic landmark status.
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Why Is Monroe’s Home Facing Demolition?
Milstein, daughter of a Cleveland real estate magnate, and Bank, a reality TV producer, purchased the property with plans to merge it with their adjacent lot, which has been their primary residence since 2016. Shortly after receiving a demolition permit, preservationists intervened and persuaded Los Angeles city officials to grant the home historic-cultural monument status—blocking the demolition.
Their attorney, Peter Sheridan, argues that the house holds no real connection to Monroe beyond her brief residency.
“LA has thousands of celebrities who lived and died here. Not every house they occupied is a historic monument,” Sheridan stated.
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Preservationists vs. Property Rights
Preservationists, however, see Monroe’s Brentwood home as more than just another celebrity address. It was the first and only house she owned independently after her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. Advocates argue that Monroe’s cultural significance, combined with the property’s emotional symbolism, makes it irreplaceable.
Heather Goers, who prepared the city’s preservation report, emphasized:
“Less than 3% of Los Angeles’ historic landmarks are tied to women’s history. If Marilyn Monroe’s home doesn’t qualify, what does that say?”
What Makes the House Historically Significant?
Built in 1929, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Spanish Hacienda-style home was modest compared to Hollywood’s lavish estates. Its charm lies in its intimacy and Monroe’s personal connection. She purchased it for $75,000 just six months before her untimely death at age 36.
An inscription at the entrance reads Cursum Perficio—Latin for “The Journey Ends Here.” Though installed before Monroe’s time, the words resonate with haunting poignancy.
During her brief residency, Monroe:
- Won a Golden Globe Award
- Sang the now-legendary Happy Birthday, Mr. President to John F. Kennedy
- Battled professional setbacks with 20th Century-Fox
- Sat for Bert Stern’s iconic The Last Sitting photographs
- Gave her final Life magazine interview, proudly showing off her unfurnished home and plans for decorating it
The Owners’ Argument Against Preservation
Milstein and Bank argue that the home no longer reflects Monroe’s era. Having changed hands 14 times since 1962, it has undergone extensive renovations, including additions like a detached recreation room. They maintain that no physical trace of Monroe remains—not a single belonging, piece of paint, or original furnishing.
The couple also raised privacy concerns, citing increased tour bus traffic, drone intrusions, and fans swarming their cul-de-sac since the dispute began.
“Our children have been buzzed by low-flying drones while playing in the backyard,” Milstein testified.
The Court Battle Ahead
The homeowners’ lawsuit accuses Los Angeles of abusing its power by siding with conservationists and tour operators at their expense. City attorneys counter that proper procedures were followed and that Monroe’s cultural importance justifies preservation.
Real estate experts like Aaron Kirman argue the city should have acted decades earlier, before alterations diminished the home’s authenticity. Still, advocates stress that Monroe’s presence and her role as a cultural icon outweigh such changes.
Could the House Be Relocated?
As a possible compromise, Milstein and Bank suggested relocating the house to a more accessible public site where fans can visit without disrupting their family’s privacy. However, preservationists believe the significance lies in Monroe’s connection to the space itself—not just the physical structure.
A Home That Symbolizes More Than Bricks and Mortar
For supporters, the Brentwood home represents Marilyn Monroe’s independence and final chapter—a poignant reminder of her struggle for identity beyond Hollywood’s spotlight. Whether the courts preserve it or allow demolition, the debate underscores a larger question: How do we honor the legacy of cultural icons, especially women, in a city built on celebrity history?
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