Owners Sued Los Angeles Over Marilyn Monroe Home
The property owners filed a federal lawsuit after the city blocked the demolition of the former Monroe residence.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Residential
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The owners of the Brentwood home where Marilyn Monroe lived in 1962 filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles following a 2024 landmark designation. The move challenges the city's authority to block the demolition of the 2,300-square-foot house.
Why it matters
The lawsuit centers on property rights and the Fifth Amendment, as the owners argue the designation constitutes a taking of private property without just compensation. It highlights the tension between municipal preservation efforts and the rights of homeowners to develop their land.
Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the 2,300-square-foot Brentwood property for $8.35 million in 2023. The home, which has seen 14 different owners since Marilyn Monroe resided there for six months in 1962, is now a designated historic monument.
The players
Marilyn Monroe
She was a prominent American actress and model who lived in the Brentwood home during the final months of her life.
Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank
They are the current owners of the property who filed the federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.
City of Los Angeles
The municipal government agency that used its historic preservation authority to grant landmark status to the property.
The details
The owners sought to replace the existing structure with a new residence but were stopped after the city granted the home historic and cultural monument status. Having already lost a challenge in California state court, the owners are now pursuing a claim in federal court.
Timeline
Marilyn Monroe purchased the home in 1962.
The house became vacant in 2019.
Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank bought the property in 2023.
The city designated the home a historic landmark in 2024.
Culture Shift
This dispute mirrors the broader tension between historic preservation efforts and individual property rights in high-value real estate markets. It highlights an increasing conflict where municipal landmark designations frequently collide with owner development plans.
For residents in historic neighborhoods, this case sets a significant precedent for how and when a home can be restricted from demolition by the city. It underscores how landmark status can directly impact a property's marketability and the owner's freedom to renovate or build.
The takeaway
This case underscores the heavy weight that historical cultural status places on modern real estate development rights. Homeowners looking to purchase properties with historical notoriety should carefully investigate existing local landmark protections before finalizing transactions.
Further reading
Explore more about local real estate trends in our Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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