Marilyn Monroe home saved: Judge upholds Los Angeles historic landmark for Brentwood property preservation
A Los Angeles judge upheld the city’s historic landmark designation for Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, blocking demolition and preserving the 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival property as a piece of Hollywood history.
- Court victory: Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant ruled to uphold the landmark designation, preventing demolition.
- Historic status: The Los Angeles City Council unanimously designated the house a Historic-Cultural Monument on June 26, 2024.
- Only home she owned: The property is the only residence Marilyn Monroe ever owned and ties directly to her final months.
- Contested sale: The house was purchased in July 2023 and the new owners had sought to demolish it to combine lots and build a larger residence.
Key information
Address: 12305 Fifth Helena Drive, Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Built: 1929, Spanish Colonial Revival style; about 2,900 square feet.
Monroe’s tenure: Owned and lived in by Marilyn Monroe from February to August 1962; she was found dead there in August 1962.
Purchase and demolition threat: Bought in July 2023 by Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank for $8.35 million; owners sought demolition to combine lots and build a larger residence.
City action: Los Angeles City Council unanimously designated the house a Historic-Cultural Monument on June 26, 2024, placing legal protections on the property.
Final ruling: On September 2, 2025, Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant issued an order upholding the landmark designation and blocking demolition — a result also reported in national outlets such as Bloomberg.
Background: A rare owned residence in Hollywood history
The house on Fifth Helena Drive is the only home Marilyn Monroe ever owned. Built in 1929 in a Spanish Colonial Revival style, the property functions as a tangible link to Hollywood’s midcentury past and to Monroe’s final months. Preservationists argue that symbolic and cultural value extend beyond the property’s market price; design and provenance matter.
Ownership and the push to demolish
Sale and plans: After the July 2023 sale for $8.35 million, the new owners — who hold an adjacent parcel — sought permits to demolish the house and combine lots to construct a larger residence. The permit issuance prompted immediate local opposition and mobilization.
Emergency preservation action and public outcry
The demolition permit and proposed tear-down produced a swift reaction from neighbors and preservation groups. The Los Angeles Conservancy and other advocates rallied, and Councilmember Traci Park moved quickly to initiate landmark consideration. Coverage from local outlets and context pieces (see Old Hollywood Tour and The Marilyn Report) shows the volume of public input the council received.
City Council designation and legal protections
On June 26, 2024, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously designated the house as a Historic-Cultural Monument. That status imposes legal limits — especially on demolition — and triggered the formal pause and subsequent legal challenge by the property owners. Documentation and reporting on that process are available via The Marilyn Report and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The legal battle: property rights versus preservation
The homeowners challenged the designation in court, arguing the house had been altered through the decades and no longer reflected the home Monroe occupied. They contended the designation unduly limited their property rights and plans for redevelopment. The dispute framed a larger debate in Los Angeles about balancing private development with public interest in preserving cultural history. Coverage of the arguments is summarized in reports from The Marilyn Report and analysis on Old Hollywood Tour.
“The ruling protects a rare piece of Hollywood history and affirms that cultural memory has a place in land-use decisions.”
Judge upholds landmark status
On September 2, 2025, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant issued an order upholding the city’s landmark designation and blocking demolition. The order, issued without an extended written opinion, sided with the city and preserves the house under protections afforded to Historic-Cultural Monuments. See reporting from The Marilyn Report and national analysis including Bloomberg.
Preservation community response
Advocates celebrated the decision as a victory for cultural memory and for protecting sites tied to women’s history in Los Angeles. Preservation groups, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, emphasized that the ruling may set a precedent for safeguarding privately owned places of cultural importance.
Voices on the other side
Some in real estate and property-rights circles argued that landmarking can unfairly limit owners and affect property values or renovation costs. Those concerns formed part of the owners’ legal challenge and continue to inform debates about how to balance individual rights with collective heritage protection.
Cultural context and why the house matters
For many, the home is more than architecture: it is symbolic of a woman whose image shaped global culture. Preserving the site contributes to Los Angeles’ patchwork of historic places that narrate the city’s complex cultural stories. Interpretive uses include museum partnerships, tours and educational programs that can draw on the property’s architecture and Monroe’s biography (see context in Elle Decor and National Trust for Historic Preservation reporting).
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic impact
Direct economic effects are modest, but the designation signals limits on redevelopment at the address and nearby parcels. The house may attract cultural tourism, supporting local businesses and tour operators. National media coverage reinforces Los Angeles’ role in protecting built history (Bloomberg).
Political consequences
The unanimous City Council vote and the judge’s decision demonstrate how officials can act quickly on high-profile preservation fights. Councilmember Traci Park’s swift action may influence future procedures for emergency landmark consideration and communications with property owners.
Social effects
The ruling energizes preservation groups and neighborhood activists seeking stronger protections. For Brentwood residents, it may reduce fears that older homes will routinely be replaced by much larger developments, while also prompting debate about who shapes neighborhood character.
Cultural relevance
Saving the house preserves a tangible link to Hollywood’s global story and ensures the city’s narrative includes sites tied to women’s history. The property complements other preserved locations that explain Los Angeles’ architectural and cultural evolution.
Practical applications for residents
Homeowners should note the speed with which landmark considerations can move when a property draws public attention. Those planning renovations or redevelopment are advised to consult city planning and preservation offices early. Neighborhood groups may use this case as a model for rapid mobilization to protect locally significant places.
Ongoing questions
Although preserved for now, questions remain about long-term stewardship, public access, and how the city will balance preservation with private property rights. The case could prompt policy reviews on how historic designations are pursued and how alterations to older homes are regulated.
Reporting and sources
This article draws on reporting and documentation from local preservation groups and national outlets:
- The Marilyn Report — coverage of the court order and timeline
- Elle Decor — context on the home and sale
- Bloomberg — coverage of the legal ruling and national interest
- National Trust for Historic Preservation — reporting on preservation efforts
- Old Hollywood Tour — historical context and analysis
Sources reviewed: local government records and the outlets above informed this story.
