- Marilyn Monroe's LA home has been saved
- It was set to be taken down but fans stepped in
- HERE is how they were able to save it
It feels good to win! Just ask anyone who has been stuck in court over matters that really matter. In a dazzling victory for fans and preservationists alike, Marilyn Monroe's indelible mark on Los Angeles has been safeguarded, and her towering presence in Palm Springs is set to enchant for years to come.
A Historic Home Saved from Demolition
The battle to preserve the legacy of the silver screen siren has seen a significant win, with Monroe's briefly inhabited Los Angeles abode granted historic cultural monument status and the "Forever Marilyn" statue in Palm Springs inching closer to permanent residency.
Nestled in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood, the Los Angeles house where Monroe (age 36, actress) lived her final moments has been rescued from the threat of demolition. The Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous decision, declared the residence a historic cultural monument, a move that came after intense debate over its fate.
The current owners, who had plans to expand their estate by razing the house, were met with stiff opposition from Monroe enthusiasts and preservationists. Council representative Traci Park hailed Monroe and her Brentwood home as unparalleled icons of Los Angeles, underscoring the importance of the council's vote.
Monroe bought the house for $75,000 and died there just months later on Aug. 4, 1962, from an apparent overdose. The current owners, Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank, bought the house for $8.35 million and obtained a demolition permit but ran into opposition.
They contend the house has been changed so much over the years that it no longer is historic, and that it has become a neighborhood nuisance due to tourist traffic. The process that led to the designation was "biased, unconstitutional and rigged," Peter C. Sheridan, an attorney for Milstein and Bank, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, in Palm Springs, the future of the "Forever Marilyn" statue, a 26-foot homage to Monroe's most iconic moment from 'The Seven Year Itch,' looks bright.
A planning commission decision has paved the way for the statue to remain a fixture in the city, delighting fans and the hotel industry group that owns the statue. Despite some local opposition, the commission's technical decision signals a positive step toward the statue's permanent installation, ensuring that Monroe's legacy continues to captivate and inspire.
Controversy and Triumph
The journey to these victories was not without controversy...
The owners of Monroe's former home argued that extensive remodels had stripped the house of its historical value, a claim met with skepticism by preservationists. Legal battles and public debates highlighted the tension between development and preservation, with Monroe's enduring legacy at the heart of the conflict.
In Palm Springs, the "Forever Marilyn" statue faced its own set of challenges, from logistical issues to debates over its cultural significance. It has been moved around the U.S. and elsewhere, including a previous stint in Palm Springs, and is now back. A hotel industry group that owns the statue wants it to remain permanently but some residents oppose it.
A technical decision about the location by the planning commission on Wednesday marked a step toward keeping the statue, 'The Desert Sun' reported. The matter continues before the Palm Springs City Council in the future.
Yet, the planning commission's decision reflects a broader recognition of Monroe's lasting impact on American culture and the desire to celebrate her memory in tangible ways.
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Marilyn was concerned
Joan Collins Shares The Warning Marilyn Monroe Gave Her About THIS!
Lost too soon...
Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most beloved figures in Hollywood history, her image synonymous with glamour, talent, and tragedy. The efforts to preserve her legacy in Los Angeles and Palm Springs underscore the deep affection and reverence that fans and the public continue to hold for Monroe, more than six decades after her untimely death
