The James Monroe
Residential in New Jersey, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The James Monroe (named after James Monroe) is a 312-foot-tall (95-m) residential skyscraper in the Newport[2] neighborhood of Jersey City, New Jersey.[3] It was completed in 1989 and has 34 floors and stands at a height of 312 feet (95 meters). The 443-unit, 34-story residential condominium tower contains studio apartments, one and two bedroom units, and three bedroom duplexes.[4][5] It was developed by the Lefrak Organization of Rego Park, Queens together with Melvin Simon & Associates of Indianapolis and the Glimcher Company of Columbus, Ohio.[4]
| The James Monroe | |
|---|---|
A view of the James Monroe as seen from River Drive South, taken in 2025 | |
 Interactive map of the The James Monroe area | |
General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Location | 45 River Drive South, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07310, United States |
| Coordinates | 40.7283°N 74.0335°W |
Completed | 1989 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 312 ft (95 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 34 |
| Lifts/elevators | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer |
|
| Main contractor | LeFrak |
| References | |
| [1] | |
History
Developer Samuel J. LeFrak first inspected the building site, with views of the Manhattan skyline, rail connections, and proximity to the city, in 1983.[6][7] Construction on the Monroe began in 1986 and the building was completed in 1989.[7] The proximity to Manhattan attracted immediate attention from New Yorkers.[8] It opened in 1989, just before a real estate recession hit that lasted until 1995.[7] The company missed and had to renegotiate a mortgage payment in 1991.[7]
The James Monroe was built relatively early in the transformation of the largely abandoned, post-industrial waterfront of "old factories and rotting rail yards" that made up the Jersey City waterfront in the 1980s and 90s into an upscale, residential neighborhood.[4] The building is part of a larger building boom in Jersey City's decayed railroad and warehouse waterfront district which is being redeveloped with large towers such as the James Monroe.[9][10] It has since attracted international buyers.[11]