FRIDAYS ARE FOR FRANK: Sinatra’s Birthplace Goes Condo – “This Town”

Frank Sinatra is fairly well represented in Hoboken. There’s Sinatra Park, Sinatra Drive, Sinatra Post Office, plus fabulous shrines at Leo’s, Piccolo’s and so many more.

However, his actual birthplace at 415 Monroe, leaves a bit to be desired.

The house itself is long gone, all that remains is a vacant lot and a sadly scuffed-up bronze star on the sidewalk. There are remnants of the short-lived Sinatra museum “From Here to Eternity,” which was run by former mayoral candidate Ed Shirak Jr. of Lepore’s Chocolates.

Now, according to JerseyDigs.com, the property is looking to go condo…

“The new proposal calls for the demolition of the existing former museum building and gravel parking lot to make way for a new five-story residential building with seven condominiums and six ground floor parking spaces,” according to JerseyDigs’ Chris Fry. “The spaces break down as six three-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit, with five units sporting rear-facing balconies and one including a 1,000-square-foot private yard.”

As for the nod to Sinatra, “the latest plan will keep it visible to those walking by but relocate it slightly south on the property, as the current location is where the driveway of the new development would be. No details have emerged as to whether it will be refurbished as part of the deal.”

Like everything else in Hoboken, 415 Monroe will most certainly change. It’s current condition does little to honor the man who was born there on December 12, 1915. In fact, the star is bordering on insulting, as it’s seen much better days.

But 415 Monroe is what most visitors to Hoboken want to see… right after Cake Boss. It would make sense to maintain some sort of monument to Frank Sinatra outside the very place where he came into the world.

Sure, Frank had a tumultuous relationship with Hoboken. But anyone who has lived here long enough can understand. It’s a frustrating little burg at times, a victim of its own success that always seems to get in its own way. Yet in the end, we still love “This Town.”

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