Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home, a historic Spanish Colonial residence, faced potential demolition until Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park intervened, leading to a unanimous City Council vote that temporarily spares the iconic Hollywood landmark.
The urgent effort to save Monroe’s final residence began when Councilmember Traci Park learned that the property owner, the Glory of the Snow Trust, had requested a demolition permit for Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home. Despite swift action from Park’s team, the Department of Building and Safety had already issued the permit before they could intervene fully.
The Urgent Battle to Save Monroe’s Home
Norma Jean Mortenson is more recognized by her stage name, Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was a model, an actress, and a singer who was primarily based in America. She was recognized as a sex symbol in the 1950s and early 1960s in America. She was also considered an emblem of the era’s sexual revolution.
Marilyn Monroe was born in Los Angeles General Hospital, which was situated in Los Angeles, California, America, on 1 June 1926. Marilyn Monroe was a top-paid actress for over a decade; her films would use to be a commercial success and would cross over $200 million, which is equivalent to $2 billion in the year 2022.
Marilyn became popular with her roles in television series like, ‘As Young As You Feel’ and ‘Monkey Business’ and Dramas like ‘Clash by Night’ and ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ which were all released in the late 1950s.
Marilyn came to the spotlight when it was revealed that she posed for nude photographs to become a star, but that did not damage her career; instead, it proved to make her a star overnight.
Merlin used to be the centerfold and the cover of Playboy magazine. The biggest hit of a career came in the year 1955 with the movie ‘The Seven Year Itch.’ Marilyn won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in the movie ‘Some Like It Hot’ which was released in 1959 and was a box office hit.
Marley’s last movie, Before She Died, was ‘The Misfits,’ which was released in the year 1961. Merlin died on 4 August 1962 at just the age of 36 in her own house, which was situated in Los Angeles, California.
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Councilmember Park’s Passionate Intervention
In a press conference, Councilmember Park, channeling the spirit of Marilyn Monroe, announced her intention to initiate consideration of historic-cultural monument status for the home. She emphasized the importance of preserving not only a Hollywood icon’s final residence but also the rich history and heritage of the city.
The motion presented to the City Council called for immediate action to consider the home as a historic cultural monument. This motion, which gained unanimous support, underlined that this designation would not infringe upon the property owner’s rights but rather evaluate the property’s historic and cultural significance.
Motion for Historic-Cultural Monument Status
During the City Council meeting, numerous Angelenos expressed their opinions on the matter. Some questioned the urgency of preserving the home amidst a homeless crisis, while others emphasized the importance of honoring women and protecting historical monuments.
The City Council’s unanimous decision to consider the home for historic-cultural monument status reflects the significance of this cultural landmark.
Enforcing a Temporary Stay on Demolition
This decision marks a crucial victory, as it automatically enforces a temporary stay on all building permits while the matter is under consideration by the Cultural Heritage Commission and the City Council. Additionally, the city’s Department of Building and Safety intends to revoke the demolition permits, signaling a positive shift toward saving the home.
Preserving Marilyn Monroe’s Enduring Legacy
The next steps involve research, assessment, and analysis by the Office of Historic Resources, followed by findings and recommendations from the Historic Cultural Commission. Ultimately, the City Council must make a final decision within 75 days, ensuring a swift and comprehensive evaluation process.
Council member Traci Park highlighted the significance of preserving the only home owned independently by Marilyn Monroe, an iconic figure in Hollywood’s history. This hacienda, meticulously curated by Monroe herself, reflects her journey and identity as an Angeleno.
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