Homeowners sue L.A. for right to demolish Marilyn Monroe's house

In a move that has drawn attention from Marilyn Monroe enthusiasts and conservationists, Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Commission took a significant step last January toward preserving the late actress' Brentwood home by recommending it for landmark status.

The guidance aimed to protect the historical residence from demolition. But not everyone is happy. The property's current owners, heiress Brinah Milstein and her husband, reality TV producer Roy Bank, have filed a lawsuit against L.A.

They are challenging the city's attempt to grant the house landmark status, which they argue was done through unconstitutional means and without meeting the proper criteria for such a designation. The couple, who acquired the Spanish Colonial-style property last summer for $8.35 million with intentions to demolish it for expansion purposes, described the city's actions as “backdoor machinations."

"There is not a single piece of the house that includes any physical evidence that Ms. Monroe ever spent a day at the house, not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing," their lawsuit says.

The legal dispute has underscored the cultural significance of the residence, where Ms. Monroe, an iconic figure in Hollywood history, lived until her death in 1962 at age 36. She bought the house for $75,000 and passed away six months later of an apparent drug overdose.

A notable feature of the property is the phrase “Cursum Perficio” — Latin for “My journey ends here” — inscribed in tile on the front porch, adding to the home's historic allure.

Supporters of the landmark designation argue that the house is not only a key part of Hollywood's heritage but also serves as a tangible connection to Monroe's enduring legacy. The lawsuit between the property's owners and the city highlights the complex interplay between private property rights and the public interest in preserving culture.