No Historic Landmark Status for Playboy Mansion

LOS ANGELES—The hallowed Playboy Mansion will not be recognized by the city of Los Angeles as a historic cultural landmark but will be permanently protected under a deal new owner Daren Metropoulos made with city officials. TMZ reports that Metropoulos wished to bypass the considerable "red tape" that would come with a landmark status, so as to move full steam ahead with his renovation plans for the mansion, which specified that he would "not demolish the main residence" but does intend to "repair the facade of the structure while maintaining its original condition." Metropoulos' deal with the city guarantees that the property will continue to be protected regardless of future owners. The Hostess and Pabst Blue Ribbon heir purchased the mansion from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner in 2016 for $100 million, and allowed Hefner to live there until he died last September. Metropoulos says Hefner was aware of his renovation plans.