Los Angeles has designated Marilyn Monroe's former residence as a historic monument, leading to a legal dispute with the property's current owners who had planned to demolish the structure.

The property in question is a 2,300-square-foot Spanish bungalow that Monroe owned for approximately six months before her death in 1962. The Hollywood icon's brief ownership of the home has now resulted in its protection under the city's historic preservation ordinances.

The current owners, described as a California couple, have filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles following the historic designation. The legal action stems from the city's decision effectively blocking their plans to tear down the residence.

According to the lawsuit, the historic monument designation has significantly impacted the owners' investment in the property, which they valued at $8 million. The owners argue that the city's action has damaged their ability to develop or modify the site according to their original intentions.

The case highlights ongoing tensions in Los Angeles between historic preservation efforts and property development rights, particularly for sites connected to notable figures in entertainment history.