Marilyn’s final home – and the only property she ever owned – at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood, Los Angeles is set for demolition, as Mary K. Jacob reports for the New York Post. Although fairly modest by celebrity standards, this stylish dwelling in a quiet suburban neighbourhood will forever be associated with Marilyn’s untimely death in August 1962, having bought the property just six months earlier.
She spent much of her short time there restoring its Spanish features, and even visited Mexico to buy furnishings. She also greatly enjoyed working in the garden. Fifth Helena Drive became her private sanctuary during that turbulent final summer, as she struggled to resolve underlying health concerns and the worst crisis of her career.
This is devastating news for all her fans, although sadly, it is not the first L.A. landmark to face destruction. ‘Pickfair’, the Beverly Hills estate of silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, and Jayne Mansfield’s ‘Pink Palace’ are long gone; and despite protests, Marilyn’s first home with husband Jim Dougherty was also razed in 2015.
Unlike Elvis Presley’s ‘Graceland’ mansion in Memphis, Marilyn’s final home is not owned by her estate; and for logistical reasons, it cannot be repurposed as a museum. However, the house was recently featured in the controversial Netflix movie, Blonde.
Efforts to save this historic building are already being tentatively discussed within the close-knit fan community, and more widely by cultural preservationists based in Los Angeles. I will keep you updated on all future developments, in the hope for a positive outcome.
Meanwhile, background information and photographs can be found on the Cursum Perficio website, and collector Scott Fortner gave a personal account of touring the address in 2010. Gary Vitacco-Robles’ Cursum Perficio: Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood Hacienda and Eric Woodard’s Hometown Girl are also essential reading.
“The one-storey, Hacienda-style estate, nestled on 2,900 square feet at the end of a tranquil cul-de-sac adjacent to San Vicente Boulevard, recently changed hands for an undisclosed sum — estimated to be around $8.35 million. The city Department of Building and Safety gave the green light for a ‘plan check’ on Sept. 5, signalling the initial stages of the demolition process for this iconic, yet tragic, property. However, a formal permit for demolition is yet to be granted.
This picturesque 1929-built residence boasts four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an array of original architectural features, including beamed ceilings, terra cotta tile floors and casement windows that whisper tales of old Hollywood. The sprawling estate also includes a lush lawn, a sparkling pool and a citrus orchard that adds to its timeless charm. Despite the presence of original details, the kitchen and bathrooms have undergone significant renovations, making them nearly unrecognisable from Monroe’s era.
In February 1962, Marilyn Monroe acquired this property for $77,500, equivalent to approximately $790,000 in today’s figures when adjusted for inflation. In the wake of Monroe’s death, the house witnessed a flurry of interest, with at least six competing purchase offers emerging within a day. A heated bidding war ensued. In 1963, the Nunez family became the proprietors, purchasing a significant portion of the home’s contents, which were later auctioned off in 1997.
Notably, the property changed hands in 2017 for a staggering $7.25 million, exceeding the asking price by $350,000. Subsequent modifications have merged the guest house with the main structure, and several alterations have been made — including relocating the door to Marilyn’s bedroom, and renovating the bathroom and kitchen.
A poignant coat of arms adorns the property’s front door, bearing the inscription ‘Cursum Perficio,’ translating to ‘My Journey Ends Here’ in Latin.” – New York Post
UPDATE: James McClain has investigated the proposed demolition further for Robb Report.
“Teardowns have become increasingly commonplace in the area surrounding Monroe’s former home, as soaring property values and record-breaking sales entice developers to build ever bigger and fancier. That this particular property survived intact is a testament to the hacienda’s enduring charm, and to Monroe’s legendary status, of course.
Back in [2017], Emerald Lake hedge fund manager Dan Lukas and his wife Anne Jarmain paid $7.3 million for the Monroe estate, and have lived at the property in the years since. Six months ago, however, the couple paid $13 million for a larger home in the same neighbourhood.
Last month, Lukas and Jarmain quietly sold the Monroe house to a buyer who has not yet been publicly identified. That person paid nearly $8.4 million for the property, in cash, and almost immediately applied for a demolition permit.”
The Marilyn Report 
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