Marilyn Monroe's Home Was On the Verge of Being Demolished—But This Surprising Fact Saved It
It looks like Marilyn Monroe's home has finally received its Hollywood ending. Shortly after the current owners of the Some Like It Hot star's residence, 12305 Fifth Helena Dr., reportedly filed for a demolition permit a few months ago, the Los Angeles City Council voted to temporarily revoke permission. Fast forward to now, and an organization called the Monroe Preservation Group has made a new discovery that can lock in the property's fate as a historical landmark.
Admittedly, it's only natural to think that its A-List tenant would be enough to let this property live on in real-estate infamy. You see, Monroe purchased this 1929-built residence in February 1962—and many sources claim this was the only home she actually owned. Legend has it that she bought the place after her psychiatrist urged her to put down roots. It may have been her attempt at a happier future, but Monroe tragically died in the home six months later as a result of a barbiturate overdose.
The Monroe connection wasn't enough to save the house. But, as it turns out, the home also features strong ties to local architect Harbin Hunter, who was responsible for co-designing one of the very first homes in Hollywood. (In fact, many of Hunter's homes were built around the same time the Hollywood sign was erected in 1923.) Not only is Hunter's signature Spanish Colonial Revival style present in Monroe's home, but the preservation group also discovered that the architect actually lived at the Fifth Helena Drive address before Monroe did.
"People think this house should be saved because Marilyn lived there for six months and died there," Elisa Jordan, a member of the Monroe Preservation Group, told People. "But what we're hoping this shows is that this house actually has deep ties to the Los Angeles community. It's actually a pristine example of the architectural styles that were popular in the 1920s."
It's not hard to see why Monroe was so smitten with this historic home. Nestled on a half acre of land in Los Angeles' luxe Brentwood enclave, the property dazzles with a 2,900-square-foot hacienda-style residence. In true Hollywood fashion, the lot also feature A-List amenities such as a spacious pool and citrus orchard. Since Monroe's passing, the property has undergone several renovations, changes in ownership, and, yes, a little bit of controversy. (In Blonde, the Ana de Armas-led biopic about the iconic actress, Monroe's death scene was filmed in the actual bedroom she died in—and subsequently sparked a major conversation about the ethics of recreating such a tragic scene.) Over 60 years after Monroe bought her abode for $77,500 in 1962, Zillow estimates that the property is worth $8.5 million.
While we are thrilled that a historic home has been saved, the Internet is pretty frustrated that tearing this home down was even a possibility. "It’s gorgeous," one person commented on Houses of Celebs' post outlining the update. " Why would anyone want to destroy it?" "Why would anyone purchase an icons home that she died in to tear it down?" another asked. "What psycho does that?!"
And, of course, a few people weighed in on what should become of the home. While some history buffs recommended the residence should become a Marilyn Monroe museum, others joked that the home should belong to Kim Kardashian, who famously wore one of the star's dresses to the 2022 Met Gala. "Kim should buy it for North," one commenter added.
Regardless of what happens to Monroe's residence, we're hoping that this property has a long, historic future in store.
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