By Paul Goldfinger, Editor of Ocean Grove’s Blogfinger.net. 3/9/2026.
Jean Bredin 2019. The Casino. Around town with Jean—Blogfinger.net
Casino. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net
Paul Goldfinger on the OG side. 2012. Notice “Casino”. Not “The Casino”or “Grand Concourse.” Blogfinger.net See the red shirt? That’s about the A. Park line.
A few years ago we reported on the loss of two historic hotels in A. Park. They should have been preserved, but the property was turned into condos after a devastating fire. Here is a portion of that Blogfinger post:
“Evidently the idea of remodeling them into residences was not considered because AP has turned over that entire oceanfront area to trash-and -build-new developers without any worry about history. They don’t seem to care about AP’s history and they don’t mind turning much of their reclaimed property into condominiums.
“I recall when the beautiful old Metropolitan Hotel. (AP) , a nostalgic place, which I visited before its death spiral, with much history, was allowed to rot and then be demolished.
“However there is a huge difference between the two towns: Ocean Grove is on the National and State Historic Registers, so we have an obligation to try and save historic buildings and not mow them down like dead ducks. But turning old hotels into condos here is contrary to our Master Plan which has a vision that is totally different than Asbury’s, and we really shouldn’t allow more space-clogging condo conversions of old hotels to occur, especially in defiance of RSIS parking standards.
“Our (OG) old hotels need to be dealt with in ways that meet the special needs of our town, with the interests of the people and the history placed ahead of the developers and the politicians who want more money from the Cash-Cow-By-The-Sea. (Think of this comment when considering the 2024 discussion of the Albatross. and the North End)”
So in the latest Coaster. (3/5/26) is a piece entitled. “Asbury Park Group Seeks to Save Historic Structures.” As you know, the ire of some Parkers has been raised, and a group has appeared: “Save Our Structures–Asbury Park”.
The Casino is part of that effort, and many local folks including Grovers are anxious to see that structure be saved. We at Blogfinger often went to that venue to see art, hear music, and photograph the lively people who enjoyed that link between the two towns.
The leaders of the save the Casino crowd say, “Asbury Park’s history must be preserved alongside its progress”–a wise sentiment.
As far as I know, the building has been called “The Casino” by most people who enjoyed that open air venue during warm weather in recent years..
But what’s in a name? The Coaster wants to refer to it by its historic name–“The Grand Concourse” so that the space can once again be a “vibrant public space. ” They don’t like recent attempts to call it a “breezeway.”
Personally, if that walk-through can be saved, how about leaving it as “The Casino”. That is a historic name for most of our current population of the two-towns who have enjoyed the space in recent years.
COMMENT: 3/9/26
Hi Paul,
Most people refer to the Casino as “The Casino” because that was the name on the building, see attached. The 2nd attachment shows what the original plan for restoration was back in 2006.
Stay well, Sl?inte,
Northender
DON AND JUAN:
THE CADILLACS:
I love the Casino. It has been stripped of the Pegasus (?) horses over each entry, its doors, glass windows.
Shame they demolished the east-ocean side.
Glad to see Casino fans and advocates.
Wonder where they were When Tillie and the Palace were destroyed.