July 1, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Brentwood Couple Sues City of Los Angeles Over Marilyn Monroe Home Demolition

Legal Battle Begins as Owners Seek to Raze Iconic Residence

The owners of a Brentwood property, once inhabited by Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles on Monday, seeking permission to demolish the residence, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.

Court documents have revealed that the owners, Brinah Milstein, an heiress, and her husband Roy Bank purchased the Spanish Colonial-style home last summer for $8.35 million. They immediately announced plans to demolish the property to expand their current estate. 

Photo Credit: MLS

The lawsuit alleges city officials engaged in unconstitutional behavior by attempting to designate the home as a historic landmark, accusing them of clandestine efforts to preserve a property they argue lacks the qualifications for such status.

Monroe briefly resided in the house in 1962 before her death at the age of 36. Milstein and Bank assert that the home has undergone substantial remodeling since Monroe’s time as evidenced by the twelve permits the city has granted the home’s previous owners. They contend there is no physical evidence linking Monroe to the property.

Another part of their argument is that tourists who seek to photograph the house even though it is behind a wall bring unwanted traffic into the neighborhood. 

This dispute started in September of last year when the city granted Milstein and Bank a demolition permit. Councilmember Traci Park spearheaded the movement to save the home and grant it historical status after an outcry after the plan to raze the house was revealed to the public. Park held a press conference where she stated her office had received hundreds of calls asking her to save the house. 

Park then introduced a motion to the Los Angeles City Council to declare the home a historic monument and reverse the approval for demolition granted by the city originally. The vote on the motion has yet to occur and is scheduled for this summer. 

During a Cultural Heritage Commission meeting in January, Brinah Milstein suggested that the home could be moved to another area of the city. It is not known whether or not the owners are still willing to consider that option and how that would be achieved.

in News
Related Posts

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Robbery Suspects Captured in Beverly Hills After License Plate Alert Triggers Pursuit

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Foot Chase Ends in Arrests After ALPR Flags Robbery Vehicle in Beverly Hills An alert from the Beverly Hills Police...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...