Ever wonder what it would be like to live like a villain, in a giant, gated, Italian-inspired mansion complete with sweeping staircases, gardens and statues? If you're free on Dec. 8 and you happen to have at least $5 million lying around, you can bid on the home of a notorious mob kingpin.

Built circa 1947, the former home of Albert Anastasia Jr. in the Palisades Cliffs section of Fort Lee will go up for auction — more than 57 years after the mobster was assassinated in a barber’s chair at the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City, bringing his life and ownership of the sprawling estate to an abrupt end.

According to the FBI's website, Anastasia, "was a leading figure in organized crime activities on the New York City waterfront and in a group known as 'Murder, Incorporated.'" The group killed 63 people between 1931 and 1940. Anastasia joined the Army in 1942 - possibly to avoid criminal investigations from earlier crimes for which he kept escaping charges - and was honorably discharged in 1944. He then purchased the Fort Lee property.

The 1.3-acre property was built with "180-degree views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline extending from the George Washington Bridge to Lower Manhattan’s Freedom Tower," according to Guernsey's, the auction house handling the sale of the estate. Bidding for the property begins at $5.5 million.

Following the mobster's death, the home was sold to Del Webb, part-owner of the New York Yankees. Comedian Buddy Hackett also called the estate home at one point. Its current owner, Arthur Imperatore is known for "his efforts to improve the New Jersey shoreline," according to Guernsey's. He has been credited with developing the NY Waterway ferry system and is also active in numerous fundraising activities including those that raise money to research cancer cures. His decision to part with the home follows the death of his wife.

Guernsey's website states that the house "is being assisted in the presentation of this stunning estate by Joshua Baris, agent for the luxury New Jersey real estate firm, Prominent Properties."

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