The Los Angeles city government has temporarily blocked the demolition effort by the owner of the property that was the final home of Marilyn Monroe.
The Los Angeles Times reported that after the news of the planned demolition was announced, the City Council unanimously voted to consider the home for historic and cultural monument status while the city’s Department of Building and Safety said intended to revoke the demolition permits issued to Glory of the Snow Trust LLC, which recently acquired the property for $8.35 million.
The 2,624-square-foot home at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in the city’s Brentwood section was the only home that Monroe owned independently – she acquired it in February 1962 but was found dead there six months later from a barbiturate overdose at the age of 36. The property has never been opened to the public.
“This is a great win for the time being,” said Councilmember Traci Park, who spearheaded the City Council vote. “What is most important about what we achieved today is that this automatically and immediately triggers a temporary stay on all building permits while this matter is under consideration by the cultural heritage commission and the City Council.”
Park added that her office received messages from “many, many hundreds of people from all over the world” to save the Monroe home and its preservation would ensure its place “as a crucial piece of Hollywood’s and the city of Los Angeles’ history, culture and legacy.”
Cover photo of Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” courtesy of 20th Century Fox; property photo courtesy of Zillow.
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