Long view from Ocean Grove of the new A. Park skyline. September 21, 2018 © Blogfinger.net. Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net.
The development of this site began in 1989 and was a failure. Then the Esperanza project began and was lost in the Great Recession (2009) leaving a steel skeleton.
Here is a Blogfinger post reflecting on the Esperanza:
But now a 16 story mixed-use building will soon be finished. It will have 130 condominiums starting at $1 million each, a parking garage for 411 cars, and a 54 room boutique hotel. There will be thousands of feet of retail space—the prospective occupants have not been revealed.
Some skeptics are doubting that this project will attract buyers for all those multi-million dollar condominiums. We have also wondered if Asbury has enough juice to be special all year round. Last winter, the city seemed pretty dreary in the off season, although the restaurant and bar scene should be able to hold on for a few months.
iStar is the developer, and some of us at Blogfinger speculate that iStar has its eyes on our North End and may have met the Grovarian movers and shakers.
From Ocean Grove, the altered skyline is readily apparent. The low slung A. Park silhouette now looks like it is on the way to become Long Branch, a once great resort trashed in the interest of money. As you drive by on Ocean Avenue in LB, you rarely get to see the Ocean. Tall buildings block the views.
But, in contrast, at Ocean Grove, if we can retain our unique look, there will be no trouble seeing the differences, and the Grove will be even more of a welcoming place; unless the view south from Asbury Park begins to look like the view inside Asbury Park.
iStar has built the Monroe Condos—another skyline altering building seen from the Grove—this one viewed from Wesley Lake. We wrote about the Monroe two years ago:
It will be interesting to see the impact of this new building on the entire area.
KATHY BRIER with The NIghthawks: from Boardwalk Empire
Right now Asbury Park is enjoying a renaissance having been recognized in several “best of” travel and tourism articles. It remains to be seen if that will be sustained and to what degree that will translate into increased property values and demand for vacation homes.
I can readily imagine greatly increased demand for seasonal oceanfront hotel accommodations as many will be motivated to visit after having read the articles. I am skeptical that the real estate market in AP can absorb 130 $1 million+ condo units, although I wish the developers success in that endeavor.
The steam plant and white whale were ugly enough, but this is hideous.
As you have reported, the project requires 411 cars because the law requires it through State mandated RSIS standards in the MLUL. This state requirement is violated, through intent, by Neptune, only for the development of OG. The clear intent of violating the law is to rape our community for high taxes.
The developer’s greed is bigger than the reality of the real estate market. So, they only have to find 130 people to each plunk down one million and more? Condos like that come with big monthly HOA fees and taxes, too. Wish them luck.
That Steam plant has got to go!