The Playboy Mansion will be permanently protected under an agreement announced Tuesday by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz and the property's owner, Daren Metropoulos.
Koretz had been seeking a historic-cultural monument designation for the property. But under the permanent protection convent signed by Metropoulos and Koretz on behalf of the city, it will not be designated a landmark. In return, Metropoulos agreed that he will not demolish the main residence.
Metropoulos also agreed to repair the facade of the structure while maintaining its original condition. The permanent protection covenant will remain in effect under future owners.
"The significance of the property to Los Angeles' history actually starts with the Letts family and shouldn't be forgotten,'' Koretz said. "We are all very grateful to the Holmby Hills Homeowners Association for spotlighting this property as a cornerstone of the founding of Holmby Hills and surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, we are pleased that Mr. Metropoulos shares our respective interest in protecting the architectural visionaries of the past that will permanently remain to benefit all lovers of Los Angeles history for years to come.''
The iconic property was owned by Playboy Enterprises from 1971 until 2016, although the magazine empire's founder and owner, Hugh Hefner, lived there until his death on Sept. 27 of last year. The 20,000-square-foot mansion was built in 1927.
The property has taken on legendary status as the scene of luxurious parties, tales of debauchery and a popular celebrity hangout. Hefner published the first issue of Playboy in December 1953, and it became the world's largest-selling and most influential men's magazine, spawning a number of successful global businesses, including nightclubs.
The mansion was sold for $100 million to Metropoulos in 2016, although the deal allowed for Hefner to live there until his death. Metropoulos lives next door.
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A designation as a historic-cultural monument would have put limits on what alterations could be made to the property and also prevent the mansion from being demolished without a review.
Metropoulos, 34, said after the sale that he planned to connect his estate and the Playboy Mansion while doing renovations on the property.
"I want to thank council member Koretz for working with me to develop an understanding of my vision to restore the mansion while modernizing and replacing important mechanical systems in the structure,'' Metropoulos said.
"I'm extremely passionate about its architecture and look forward to this momentous opportunity to transform one of the finest estates in the country. As Mr. Hefner was aware, I plan to meticulously refurbish the property with the highest quality and standards in mind.''
