Ocean County

Bed & Breakfast Proposed for ‘Victorian Mansion’ in Downtown Toms River

by
Daniel Nee
January 8, 2024

A home on Main Street in downtown Toms River proposed as the “Huddy House” B&B. (Photo: MLS)

A Toms River home described as a “Victorian mansion” which county records indicate date back to the 1800s would become a Bed & Breakfast if approved at a meeting of the township’s planning board later this month.

The home, located at 801 Main Street, was built in 1888, according to deed records registered at the Ocean County Clerk’s office. The B&B would be known as “Huddy House,” and operated by Vicki Weiss- Ippolito, who also owns the popular Mathis House Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Victorian Tea Room, also located on Main Street.

Approval by the planning board is required since the B&B would be operating in the Village Office Business Zone, where some minor, pre-existing setbacks must be ratified. Five parking spaces would be provided rather than the 5-and-a-half required. The applicant is also asking for vehicles to be able to move through an existing right-of-way.

The B&B would include four guest rooms and one manager apartment.

According to a real estate listing from when the home was sold in early 2023, the “Victorian mansion” features “five fireplaces, a jaw-dropping grand staircase, original wood moldings, and custom-stained glass windows to match the wallpaper.”

A home on Main Street in downtown Toms River proposed as the “Huddy House” B&B. (Photo: MLS)

The first floor includes a foyer, living room, formal dining room, library, butler’s pantry, kitchen, dinette, and bathroom. The back of the house contains extra office space with a private entrance. The front of the house has two private conference rooms with french doors for privacy. Upstairs has four bedrooms, one bath, and a kitchen.

The plan to turn the home into a B&B will be heard by the planning board at its Jan. 17 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the township municipal complex on Washington Street.