The cherished former home of Marilyn Monroe has received a temporary reprieve from the threat of demolition, thanks to a pivotal vote by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission. Nestled at 12305 W. 5th Helena Drive, the property faced an uncertain fate under its new owners, but the recent commission ruling declared it a historic cultural monument, at least for the time being.

Although Monroe’s residence at the hacienda lasted only a few months, the Hollywood icon’s personal connection to the property runs deep. Not only was it the sole home she ever purchased, but it’s also the haunting location where she died at the age of 36 in 1962.

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While the commission’s decision provides a crucial lifeline, it doesn’t entirely secure the home’s future. Designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument in Los Angeles doesn’t act as an impenetrable shield against demolition. Instead, it permits a 180-day delay in demolition, allowing room for alternative preservation options.

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The next hurdle involves a comprehensive review of the nomination by the L.A. Planning and Use Committee, followed by scrutiny from the LA City Council. Furthermore, the possibility lingers that Monroe’s home might move to a more accessible locale, enhancing public visibility. However, such a move would be a prolonged and costly endeavor, with uncertainties about its feasibility.

The peril facing the property emerged when the Department of Building and Safety granted a demolition permit to the current owner, Glory of the Snow Trust, on September 5. A subsequent unanimous decision by the L.A. City Council temporarily halted the permit amid public outcry, paving the way for a potential rescue mission.

Originally acquired by Glory of the Snow LLC in 2017 for $7.25 million, the property changed hands within the trust for $8.35 million in July 2023. Alarming concerns arose when, within a mere two months, plans for demolition started surfacing.

Constructed in 1929, Monroe’s Spanish-style abode encompasses 2,624 sq. ft., boasting four bedrooms, three baths, beamed ceilings, a courtyard, gardens, and a swimming pool. The actress, in her brief tenure as the homeowner, invested roughly $51,000 in refurbishments—a staggering equivalent of over $500,000 in today’s money when adjusted for inflation.

Monroe’s poignant connection to the property, expressed in a Life Magazine interview shortly before her death, reveals her desire for the space to serve as a sanctuary for troubled friends. Her tragic passing in August 1962 at the house, discovered by her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, marked the conclusion of an era.

The official cause of her death was attributed to acute barbiturate poisoning, classified as an overdose and “probable suicide.” As the saga unfolds, the fate of Marilyn Monroe’s home hangs in the balance, with advocates striving to preserve a tangible piece of Hollywood history.