The Allenhurst on Pitman. Paul Goldfinger photo. January 29, 2024. Click to read the signs.The Allenhurst used to be a historic hotel (1875)–the Osborne. This is what Kathy Arlt, OG historian, had to say about this property:
“So the Osborne House went the way of so many other grand hotels in Ocean Grove, and the corner of Pitman and Central is now the site of the Allenhurst apartments.”
Allenhurst renters are happy for short stays at this former hotel, and they give it favorable reviews. They tend to have simple requirements and they are grateful to have an apartment which is affordable and located near the beach.
A similar hotel, the Whitfield, was demolished. There were many tenants who lived there and who were responsible and who loved the residence. They loved the Whitfield because it was home and affordable; and it was near the beach. Its problems could have been solved. The neighbors often barely tolerated it. Instead the neighborhood got four single family houses, crammed together in an all-too-small lot.
Neptune didn’t care, nor did the Home Groaners. They didn’t know that a house isn’t always a home.
I was friends with a former Ocean Pathway home owner who lived next to the Albatross. He never complained of what it had become.
The new developers at the Albatross seem to want a high-class, fancy-pants reincarnation at the OG Pathway. But it seems that young new-comers would prefer places to live in town which are cheap and practical.
This is looking like a minor battle in the OG “culture wars,” where the ingredients ate demographics, gender, money, religion, diversity and transportation–with walking preferred.
It goes to the concerns about what sort of town Grovers want.
And let’s mention the North End: Let’s turn it into a trailer park, sort of a tent village II, with great views, air, light and neighbors all around, no pretensions, barbecues, shared spaces, and raucous fun.
From Brokeback Mountain: