Motel Demolished in Seaside Heights Wednesday, 10 Townhouses Planned

Demolition on yet another Seaside Heights building began Wednesday, as progress on the razing of a separate borough landmark produced some dramatic images of its own.

An excavating crew arrived at the former Quality Inn motel, once known as the Cranbury Inn Motel (here’s a semi-retro video about that era), and began dismantling the building from the top down. Clouds of dust filled Central Avenue as the building’s crumbling sheetrock was taken by the wind and pieces of infrastructure came crashing down.

A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

About a year ago, the demolition of the building was approved by Seaside Heights officials, along with a plan to construct 10 townhomes at the site.

The townhomes, which will range in size from about 1,300 to 1,500 square feet each, will be constructed by Shree Properties, LLC on the property, located on Central between Sampson and Hiering avenues. The townhomes will front all three roads. Mike Loundy, who is managing sales of the new development through his company, Seaside Realty, said the units will be built with “stunning” private roof decks and be ready for the summer for 2022.

Townhomes planned to replace the Quality Inn motel in Seaside Heights. (Screenshot/Planning Board)

Townhomes planned to replace the Quality Inn motel in Seaside Heights. (Screenshot/Planning Board)

At the time of approval, neighbors expressed concerns but said they were glad to see the motel go.

A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A demolition crew takes down the Quality Inn (former Cranbury Inn) in Seaside Heights, N.J., Nov. 3, 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

“I’ve seen motel owners come and go,” he said. “These owners, right now, are the worst there has ever been, with the debris in the parking lot, it’s not clean, it’s a mess. I’m glad to upgrade the property.”

Another neighbor agreed.

“I live across the street from this motel,” Bill Wafford said. “Three, four, five o’clock in the morning, you’re still hearing people coming home from the bars. You’re not going to have that with ten homes. It is a blessing to us to get this done.”

Quality Inn, Seaside Heights, N.J., proposed for demolition and replacement, Jan. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Quality Inn, Seaside Heights, N.J., proposed for demolition and replacement, Jan. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The construction schedule for the townhome development was not immediately known.