Lifestyle

Iconic Penthouse Once Occupied by Marilyn Monroe and Portia de Rossi Hits the Market

When it comes to Hollywood residences, few celebrities can rival Marilyn Monroe in terms of the number of homes she lived in or had associations with. Another notable figure in this regard is Ellen DeGeneres, and by extension, Portia de Rossi. It is therefore quite fitting that both Monroe and de Rossi resided in the same penthouse at West Hollywood’s Granville Towers.

According to WestHollywoodHistory.org, the legendary star of “Some Like it Hot” moved into the apartment after her separation from her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, in 1954. Four decades later, de Rossi made it her home as she established her acting career with notable roles in “Ally McBeal” and “Scream 2.”

Designed by renowned architect Leland A. Bryant, who also created the Sunset Tower hotel and several other distinctive luxury apartment buildings in the neighborhood, this seven-story French Normandy-style complex was originally constructed in 1930 as the Voltaire Apartments.

It underwent conversion into condominiums in 1988. Situated just below the Sunset Strip, this grand dame has been home to numerous famous residents over the years, including Rock Hudson, David Bowie, Mickey Rourke, Nora Ephron, Rashida Jones, and Rachel Zoe.

The penthouse, previously occupied by both Marilyn and Portia, is located at the top of the north tower and spans 2,032 square feet over two levels. The lower level comprises a living room, formal dining room, kitchen, guest bedroom, and bathroom. Noteworthy features include hardwood floors, crown moldings, Venetian plaster walls, Viking appliances, and custom steel cabinetry in the kitchen.

A stunning curved staircase leads to the light-filled primary suite on the upper level, which boasts vaulted ceilings, built-in window seats with storage, and expansive skylights offering breathtaking city and mountain views. At the far end of the suite, there is a spa-like bathroom complete with a large soaking tub and a standing shower.

Residents of the building enjoy a range of amenities, such as 24/7 doorman services, a meticulously landscaped courtyard garden with a striking circular fountain at its center, an indoor swimming pool, underground parking, and a well-lit gated dog run.

The current owner of the penthouse purchased it from Portia de Rossi in 2003 for $860,000, according to property records. The property was listed for sale in 2018 with an initial price of $2.495 million but was later withdrawn. It is now back on the market with an asking price just under $2.3 million. Monthly homeowner association dues, covering security/concierge services, trash collection, sewer, and water, amount to $1,200, which is on the higher end. However, the building benefits from the Mills Act, which provides owners with property tax reductions of up to 75 percent.

The listing is managed by John Luciano and Brian V. Moore of Sotheby’s International Realty.