Historic Hoboken Home Leveled: See What It Looks Like Now

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Hoboken historian Jim Hans died in 2023, his family decided to sell the home on Third Street that they'd owned since 1976, a rare single-family house in the mile-square city.

The blue house had gained fans over the years, as Hans and his family had set up colorful and historical displays on the porch. The stuffed monkeys were a favorite among local kids.

Local history buffs argued that perhaps the building — estimated to have been built around 1850 — should be saved.

But an engineers' report said the pre-Civil War home was "out of plumb," or leaning, and had other structural problems.

This past March, the family held an estate sale to sell items from Hans' extensive collection, from old magazines to antique fixtures to Hobokana. READ MORE: Get A Piece Of Hoboken History At This Estate Sale

According to a letter dated July 18 and sent to neighbors, RS Development planned to "demolish and rebuild" the home on behalf of the new owner.

Then, this month, the spot was cleared, revealing old brick and wood structures around it. See photos above.

'High Theft Area'

A notice on the house next door says the area is now a "high theft area."

Hoboken Public Safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin said that the police didn't put the sign there.

"The ... sign was not posted by HPD," she said, "rather likely by the building owner and is not uncommon to see on vacant property. Hoboken police are not aware of any increase in crime in this area."

The spot is located at 206 Third St.

Look inside and learn more about it here: 1840s "Monkey House" In Hoboken May Not Be Oldest, But It Sure Is Popular