Skip to main content

Written by Jose A on . Posted in News.

Long-awaited oceanfront development in Ocean Grove planned for 2025

Developers confident they’ll get approval for Victorian-style community that will generate $1.9 Million in taxes

ByTom Bergeron (Ocean Grove) - December 20, 2024

Imagine a 40-room boutique hotel, 10 single-family Victorian homes, 39 units of condominiums and 155 off-street parking spaces – along with a small section of retail.

Now, imagine it taking place in an area described as an ‘eyesore’ and a ‘black hole.’

The image may soon become a reality in Ocean Grove, according to Joel Brudner, a partner inOcean Grove North End Development.

The project, which sits on the boardwalk and Wesley Lake, aims to break ground in 2025.

It has been a long time coming.

Since 1980, the land has sat empty, creating an unsightly “black hole” on the boardwalk between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.

In 2007, the Neptune Township Committee designated the land “in need of redevelopment.”

Things picked up this year.

In February, the township and the project developer executed a settlement agreement to move the plan forward. Then, in April, the Neptune Township Committee adopted an amended redevelopment plan ordinance for the site, as part of that agreement.

The application still needs final sign-off from the Neptune Planning Board, but the developers said they anticipate that approval in the coming weeks.

Brudner said the development team has worked closely with township officials to address any concerns. He noted, for example, that total proposed construction is only 50% of what is legally permitted on the site. The developer has reduced the number of condo units from 78 to 39, the number of hotel rooms from 80 to 40 and the overall footprint at the request of Neptune leaders.

“Meanwhile, in working with Neptune officials, we are providing more open space and more corridors for the public to enjoy this oceanfront gateway to Ocean Grove,” Brudner said. “And, to address any parking concerns, we have off-street, hidden parking for the residents, hotel guests and tenants on this property.”

Besides redeveloping property, the plan is estimated to generate an estimated $1.9 million in annual property taxes to Neptune, with an estimated $955,000 each year earmarked to support the public schools. It is expected the development will generate a limited few, if any, students. Moreover, the developer will provide fees to the township for the construction of state-mandated affordable housing throughout Neptune.

As part of the agreement, the developer is also required to rebuild the municipally-owned Wesley Lake wall and access promenade, which is deteriorating. This will save millions of dollars of taxpayer money, while eliminating safety concerns.

In designing the project, the development team said it relied heavily on public comment from “visioning sessions” that Neptune officials hosted. The plan also incorporates detailed input from Planning Board review.

Bill Gannon, another member of the development team, said he is eager to see the vision come to life.

“We are eager to move ahead with this shovel-ready project that will finally breathe new life into this unused parcel,” he said. “This project greatly benefits the neighborhood with new, high-end construction that is consistent with the signature Victorian style of Ocean Grove. And it is an enormous benefit for the entire town of Neptune, creating substantial, long-term tax revenue to offset the burden for property owners.”

  • Hits: 24

Written by Jose A on . Posted in News.

Belmar NJ’s Beach Haus Brewery debuts its gorgeous rooftop bar

As if Beach Haus Brewery didn’t already have enough to offer: tours, delicious craft beers, games (giant Connect Four, Jenga), an outdoor tasting area, and occasionally: yoga, there's a new feature for us to enjoy.

On Friday, June 30 the brewery held the grand opening of its new rooftop bar: The Rooftop at Beach Haus.

This is something unique to Belmar, and unique to the region, and we’re excited. We’re providing three or four different options when you come to Beach Haus now, and we hope you all enjoy it,” co-owner Joel Brudner told TapInto.net.

The Rooftop allows you to enjoy the beautiful views that Belmar has to offer while kicking back with your beverage of choice. Does it get any better than that?

For anyone thinking “I don’t like beer, this isn’t for me!” Let me stop you right there.

The rooftop offers signature cocktails, wines: red, white, rose, and sparkling and (for those brave enough) a shipwreck rum bucket.

Bringing in tropical lounge elements from the soft seating to palm trees helps set the mood. Just hanging out on our rooftop will make you feel like you are on vacation, local or tourist alike.” Said co-owner and Director of Operations, Dylan Kohan.

How could you not feel like you’re on vacation when this is your view?

The Rooftop Bar is open seven days a week during the following hours:

🍹 Monday: 3-10 p.m.
🍹 Tuesday: 3-10 p.m.
🍹 Wednesday: 3-10 p.m.
🍹 Thursday: 12-11 p.m.
🍹 Friday: 12-11 p.m.
🍹 Saturday: 12-11 p.m.
🍹 Sunday: 12-9 p.m.

Beach Haus Brewery is located at 801 Main St. in Belmar, NJ.

For more info, check out their website here.

  • Hits: 21

Written by Jose A on . Posted in News.

Belmar Council OKs Liquor License Transfer from Jack’s Tavern to Beach Haus Brewery

BELMAR, NJ — Two days after Jack’s Tavern served its last drink, the popular Belmar establishment’s liquor license was transferred to the co-owner of the Beach Haus Brewery, located just blocks away.

The Belmar Council’s unanimous approval of the transfer on December 17 marked the next step in the brewery’s plan to become a “brewpub,” where it could offer on-site dining and full bar service — in addition to the variety of beers currently brewed and served on tap at its 801 Main Street location.

Beach Haus is now in the process of obtaining a restrictive brewery license from the N.J. Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) — freeing it from the voluminous rules and regulations that must be followed under its current limited brewery license.

Plans are under way to prepare a general operating plan that would need to be submitted to the state ABC and the borough, according to Joel Brudner, co-founder and managing partner of MB1 Capital Partners — the Belmar-based real estate investment firm that owns the brewery building.

Brudner, under MBLIQ, LLC, now holds the interest in the liquor license, which was a person-to-person transfer from Jobil Inc., doing business as Jack’s Tavern and owned by Michael Terranova. MB1 also purchased the building and business at 703 10th Avenue for an undisclosed price.

The plenary retail consumption license would also need to be transferred from Jack’s Tavern to the Beach Haus location, where a second-floor restaurant sits vacant next to the craft brewery portion of the landmark building — once home to Freedman’s Bakery.

“We would like to keep the momentum going and move (on the project) as soon as possible,” said Brudner, who owns MB1 with Christopher McCallion. “We are going to have a restaurant and a brewery — the best of both worlds.”

While the 3,700-square-foot restaurant, formerly Benny’s Fattoria, was part of the transformation of the bakery into the 30-barrel brew house five years ago, Brudner said the dining area and bar will be redesigned as part of the entire brewpub experience.

Although there no specific timeframe for obtaining all necessary state and local approvals, Brudner is hopeful the process will move along quickly, particularly since the restaurant and brewery met all zoning and code requirements when it opened in 2015.

As for the former Jack’s Tavern space, it will remain shuttered — “until we know everything is going through as we anticipate it will,” Brudner said, adding that the liquor license he now holds allows him to reopen the establishment, which was open for 85 years.

Once the Beach Haus’ expansion plan clears all hurdles and becomes a reality, he said he plans seek another tenant for 703 10th Avenue.

As for the closing of Jack’s Tavern on December 15, Council President Thomas Brennan thanked the Terranova family for “everything they’ve done” to keep Jack’s part of the community for 80-plus years. “Jack’s will be missed,” he said.

After the December 17 public hearing that drew no comments, voting in favor of the liquor license transfer were Mayor Mark Walsifer, who echoed Brennan’s remarks, and council members Patricia Wann and Thomas Carvelli. Brennan, a professional musician, recused himself from voting because he may at times perform at Belmar establishments, and Councilman James McCracken was absent.

  • Hits: 21

Written by Jose A on . Posted in News.

New Shopping Center Cleared at Clark, NJ, Commercial Center

CLARK, NJ—The approvals are the first step in the planned redevelopment of the property that stretches from Central Avenue to Westfield Avenue, and exemplifies the strategic partnership between the Township of Clark and Denholtz, the real estate firm says.

By Steve Lubetkin &By stevelubetkin| November 14, 2016 at 04:00 AM

CLARK, NJ—The Township of Clark Planning Board has unanimously approved a 14,000-square-foot shopping center located at the 21-acre mixed use site on Terminal Avenue in Clark, NJ. The center is being developed by Denholtz Associates.

“Today marks an important day in the redevelopment of Terminal Avenue and we are grateful for the support and shared vision that the Township of Clark has for the site,” says Russ Azzarello, vice president at Denholtz Associates. “By working with the town we are confident that this first phase of redevelopment will provide residents with more conveniences and options ultimately enhancing the community in which they live. Strong civic partnerships are immensely important in redevelopment projects like this and we look forward to working with the town and its continued support.”

The approvals are the first step in the planned redevelopment of the property that stretches from Central Avenue to Westfield Avenue, and exemplifies the strategic partnership between the Township of Clark and Denholtz, the real estate firm says. The shopping center will boast a clean, modern design and will be anchored by New York Community Bank and a free-standing Dunkin Donuts featuring a drive thru. The rezoning of Terminal Avenue has broadened the property's range of commercial and retail use and future development opportunities allowing Denholtz Associates to work with the township to enhance local amenities and services for residents.

  • Hits: 21

Written by Jose A on . Posted in News.

Denholtz, MB1 sell L’Oréal R&D headquarters complex for $16 million

By Joshua Burd

Denholtz Associates has sold the 108,000-square-foot headquarters of L’Oréal’s North American R&D division in Clark, in a nearly $16 million deal arranged by Newmark Knight Frank.

The real estate services firm on Monday announced the sale of 175-195 Terminal Ave., a flex and research building just off the Garden State Parkway. ANG Management purchased the single-story property, which the cosmetics giant has leased since 1992 and is its only R&D center in the U.S.

NKF Executive Managing Director Steven M. Schultz and Managing Director Tony D. Georgiev handled the $15.84 million transaction.

The deal comes three years after Denholtz, under a joint venture with MB1 Capital Partners, acquired 175-195 Terminal Ave. as part of a 10-building, 283,201-square-foot portfolio known as the Clark Commercial Center. L’Oréal had an expiring lease prior to the acquisition, prompting the developer to make a series of major exterior and interior improvements.

The result was a modern R&D space, Denholtz said, allowing it to negotiate a long-term lease extension with L’Oréal.

“In an asset class dominated by long-term asset ownership like industrial, it might be hard to believe that value can be found in as short of a timeframe as three years,” said Steve Cassidy, president of Denholtz Associates. “Despite that notion, we were able to create value in a relatively short period of time at 175-195 Terminal Avenue through flawlessly executing an improvement strategy that enabled us to retain one of the nation’s premier tenants.

“We thank Newmark Knight Frank’s Capital Markets team for their assistance in securing a premium price for this highly valuable asset in one of nation’s most competitive industrial markets.”

The complex, one of six L’Oréal R&D centers in the world, sits between Central and Rahway avenues off Exit 135 of the Parkway. With the sale, Denholtz and NKF sought to tap into the overwhelming demand for flex and R&D space and a major undersupply in Union County, not to mention the appeal of a tenant such as L’Oréal.

“We are extremely pleased with results of this sale and it was an honor working with the Denholtz team on this transaction,” Schultz said.

  • Hits: 21

More Articles …