Architectural Cases

Frank Sinatra, a name synonymous with American entertainment, crafted a life as grand and varied as his career, reflected profoundly in the homes he inhabited. From his early days in New Jersey to his sprawling estate in Palm Springs, each residence served as a canvas for his personal and professional narratives. These spaces were more than just dwellings; they were vibrant backdrops for family moments, intimate rehearsals, and lavish celebrations, echoing the diverse chapters of his remarkable life. His homes offered a rare glimpse into the private world of a public figure who famously desired to be remembered as a man who lived life fully, surrounded by cherished friends and family.

Sinatra's journey through various architectural styles and locations illustrates his evolution as an artist and a family man. The diverse range of his abodes, from a modest Cape Cod in Hasbrouck Heights to a sophisticated London flat and a magnificent compound in Rancho Mirage, collectively tell the story of a man who found joy in both solitude and society. These residences, meticulously designed and thoughtfully adorned, stand as testaments to his unique taste and his deep commitment to creating environments where both personal tranquility and grand entertainment could flourish, solidifying his legend both on and off the stage.

Early Life and Family Foundations: Sinatra's First Homes

Before his global fame, Frank Sinatra established his roots in a modest Cape Cod-style house in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. This was the Sinatra family's first residential purchase in 1941, a humble abode where they spent three pivotal years. Here, surrounded by the suburban tranquility of New Jersey, Sinatra began building his family, with his daughter Nancy Jr. and soon, his son Frank Jr. The home, built in the same year they moved in, offered a private haven away from the burgeoning demands of his early career. Family photographs from this period depict intimate moments of domestic bliss, such as Sinatra reading to Nancy Jr. or sharing breakfast in the kitchen, illustrating a strong foundation of family values that would remain central throughout his life despite his public persona.

The move to California in 1944 marked a significant shift, both geographically and in Sinatra's escalating career. The 'big pink' house on Toluca Lake in the San Fernando Valley became their new family home, meticulously enhanced by Sinatra with additions like a pool, spa, and a bathhouse. This residence facilitated a more expansive family life, with activities like swimming, fishing, and sailing on the lake. Despite a minor incident with Fourth of July fireworks, the home symbolized prosperity and growth. Later, in 1948, the family relocated to a Mediterranean-style home in Holmby Hills, closer to MGM studios. This house, characterized by a tall Mexican masonry wall, featured Sinatra's beloved wood-paneled library, which housed his extensive collection of books and served as a gathering place for many parties. These early homes collectively underscore Sinatra's dedication to creating nurturing environments for his family, even as his star continued to rise.

Global Appeal and Personal Style: Sinatra's International and Desert Retreats

Frank Sinatra's deep affection for London was evident in his choice of an apartment in the upscale Grosvenor Square. This London flat, where he recorded his only studio album outside the U.S., showcased a more sophisticated side of his personal style. Photographs from 1953 reveal a relaxed Sinatra, enjoying a cigarette amidst his eclectic furnishings, which reportedly included "shiny green silks with lots of tassels, little glass-top tables, and jade ashtrays," as described by Mia Farrow. Despite not finishing high school, Sinatra was a lifelong learner, and his London home, much like his Carolwood Drive residence, featured walls lined with books, reflecting his intellectual curiosity and respect for erudition. These spaces were not just dwellings but reflections of his evolving tastes and broader cultural engagements.

His legendary desert compound in Rancho Mirage, acquired in 1947, transformed over the years into a sprawling estate, becoming a quintessential symbol of his opulent lifestyle. Initially a modest one-story home, it expanded to include 18 bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, guest cottages, a projection room, and a restaurant-sized kitchen, designed for grand-scale entertaining. This property, known as Twin Palms, famously featured an "unwelcome mat" for unexpected visitors but was a hub for Hollywood's elite and close friends. With his fourth wife, Barbara Marx, the interiors were further lightened and modernized by designers Bea Korshak and Ted Grenzbach, including a lavish mirrored, travertine-clad main suite. This ever-evolving compound epitomized Sinatra's success and his desire for a vibrant, social life, ultimately serving as his final residence until his passing in 1995.

In the heart of Milan, a former 1930s wallpaper factory has been reborn as the vibrant and unique headquarters of La DoubleJ, known affectionately as the "Starquarters." This five-story architectural marvel is a testament to the vision of its founder, J.J. Martin, who has infused every corner with her signature maximalist aesthetic and a deeply spiritual ethos. The space, which seamlessly integrates business operations with holistic well-being practices, stands as a colorful counterpoint to Milan's typically understated design scene. From cosmic-themed murals and meditation zones to a rooftop "Galactic Deck" offering yoga and gong healing sessions, the Starquarters is designed to elevate both creativity and consciousness for its over 80 employees.

La DoubleJ's Milan Headquarters: A Hub of Creativity and Consciousness

In Milan, on a recent Tuesday evening, the Starquarters, La DoubleJ's innovative new base, closed its daily operations. Yet, a symphony of sound emanated from its rooftop, where a gong adorned with meteorites became the focal point of the "Galactic Deck," an expansive indoor-outdoor sanctuary. This dazzling five-story complex is filled with whimsical, other-worldly elements, from managers conducting meetings on meditation chairs to cosmic portal murals and floors designated as "Conscious Creators" and "Energy Engineers." While the building buzzes with commercial activity during the day, after business hours, it transforms into a haven for meditation, yoga, and visiting healers, embodying the brand's guiding principle: "Raise Your Vibration."

J.J. Martin, an Angeleno by birth and a former journalist, deeply embraces her spiritual inclinations. Simultaneously, her exceptional talent for color, pattern, and her spirited approach have catapulted La DoubleJ to international renown. The brand's distinctive silk maxi dresses are popular at esteemed retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, and Net-a-Porter. Since diversifying into matching home goods in 2017, Martin has collaborated with distinguished Italian artisans, including Salviati for glasswork, Ancap for porcelain, and historic textile mills in Lake Como for luxury table linens and cushions. This year, an eagerly awaited flagship store is set to open on Manhattan's distinguished Upper East Side.

The lively essence of La DoubleJ's new headquarters, mirroring Martin's dynamic personality, is in constant evolution. When it first opened its doors last spring during Milan Design Week, the transformation of the property—a former 1930s wallpaper factory located in the Navigli district—was still underway. Martin, however, couldn't resist offering an early glimpse of the renovation project, meticulously executed by local architects Silvia Vergani and Margot List. Today, every surface of the Starquarters is adorned with La DoubleJ's maximalist motifs. Vergani, tasked with harmonizing the profusion of patterns and colors within a modernist framework, remarked on the enjoyable challenge of regulating such exuberance.

The journey into positive energy begins at the "Joy Entrance," where a striking sunflower-yellow sectional sofa by Cristina Celestino anchors the soaring lobby, and colossal hand-painted flowers blossom across the walls and ceiling. Ascending through the building, one discovers a kitchen featuring a vibrant rainbow theme and its original checkerboard floor, while hallways showcase a kaleidoscopic array of wallpaper prints. Martin's personal office, aptly named "The Download Den," boasts a bespoke intarsia rug inspired by Italian ecclesiastical designs. Even the elevator, with its galactic print, feels like an excursion into space, as Martin describes it: "It's like a spaceship."

This relocation was long overdue. For years, the team operated from a small section of a showroom belonging to Martin’s business partner, Andrea Ciccoli. By 2025, a burgeoning team of over 80 employees was "crammed into a tiny space," reminiscent of an anthill, as Martin humorously recalls. Now, the entire company, encompassing design, e-commerce, and back-office teams, is finally united under one magnificent roof.

As chronicled in her 2023 book, Mamma Milano, the brand's spiritual foundation was present from its inception. Martin’s journey to Milan in 2001, following Ciccoli to his homeland, marked a significant turning point. After their marriage, facing challenges with infertility, she sought guidance from an energy healer. This experience, she notes, "opened up a new world" to her. Although she did not conceive, she soon embarked on an intense creative surge that led to the birth of La DoubleJ in 2015. Starting as an e-commerce platform for her extensive collection of vintage fashion and jewelry, the brand quickly expanded to include ready-to-wear apparel, decorative vases, and scented candles. This year, during Milan Design Week, La DoubleJ will unveil its new outdoor collection of poufs, pillows, and tables on the lush, plant-filled garden terrace bordering the rooftop deck.

More recently, Martin introduced "The Sisterhood," an initiative under the La DoubleJ umbrella dedicated to fostering consciousness. This membership program, boasting approximately 7,000 participants, provides access to Martin's monthly newsletter, The High Vibe Times, and opportunities to partake in wellness activations, including online workshops and pop-up events from Ibiza to Palm Beach. Nevertheless, it's challenging to surpass the allure of the Galactic Deck's Gong Temple, which features a five-pan instrument hand-forged in Mount Etna, complemented by rows of custom-printed La DoubleJ mats and cushions. From this rooftop vantage point, Martin concludes, "with views of the entire city...you just feel like you've opened up to the heavens."

The transformation of La DoubleJ's headquarters into the Starquarters exemplifies a modern paradigm where professional environments transcend traditional boundaries to embrace holistic well-being and creative expression. J.J. Martin's visionary approach not only fosters a unique brand identity but also cultivates a workspace that nurtures its employees' spiritual and physical health. This fusion of maximalist design and spiritual practices offers a compelling model for future office spaces, demonstrating that an environment designed for inspiration and tranquility can also be a powerhouse of innovation and commercial success. It challenges the conventional, often rigid, aesthetic of corporate settings, proving that joy, color, and consciousness can seamlessly integrate into the fabric of a thriving business.