The rendering of a hotel proposed for Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights, N.J., Oct. 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)
The Seaside Heights planning board on Monday night approved one of the most ambitious projects in borough history with the potential of reshaping the community in the spirit of many of the grand hotels that once dotted the Jersey Shore.
Boston-based developer William Caulder received approval to build the luxury hotel, banquet and event center, restaurant and a number of privately-owned townhomes at the corner of Ocean Terrace and Lincoln Avenue. The approval came without any formal objections from members of the public, and by way of a unanimous vote by the board.
The development will include a 135 room hotel, with space for living and commercial activity spread over nine floors of the ten story building. Stand at 102-feet in height, the complex will be one of the tallest buildings in Ocean County, and a landmark of which has not been seen since redevelopment efforts took place in northern Monmouth County or Atlantic City. The building will include a 270 seat restaurant, 30 seat bar, and a 350 seat event and banquet venue that can be used for purposes ranging from weddings, to corporate conferences, to civic events.
A slew of amenities were included in the approval, including a rooftop pool deck, spa, and the construction of 55 condominium units. The entire complex will be constructed where the Surfside, Glendale and Dry Dock motels have previously stood. They will be demolished in favor of the new structure.
The Glendale Motel and Surfside Motel, Lincoln Avenue, Seaside Heights, Aug. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The Glendale Motel, Seaside Heights, N.J., Aug. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)
Lawrence Sassi, the architect who designed the complex, told board members the hotel’s arrival area for guests would be located on the fourth floor, with rooms being located on the fifth floor and above. The ballroom will be situated over Ocean Terrace where guests can catch glimpses of the beach and boardwalk. The hotel rooms will be located along Ocean Terrace and Franklin Avenue, with the fourth floor also serving as a pool deck. A full-service restaurant will operate between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m., tentatively planned to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as evening cocktails and snacks.
The building will be topped with a white facade.
“It’s a feature to add a level of interest to the upper portion of the building, and also to screen equipment from view,” said Sassi.
Project Engineer Brian Murphy said the building is fully compliant with modern flood codes and has already received the majority of state permits required before construction can begin. While large, the hotel will maintain a subdued exterior, he said.
“We will have down-facing lights with shielding in order to accommodate our surrounding neighbors,” said Murphy.
Bollards will be installed along Ocean Terrace to ensure the safety of pedestrians and prevent vehicles from entering the sidewalk area.
The rendering of a hotel proposed for Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights, N.J., Oct. 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)
The rendering of a hotel proposed for Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights, N.J., Oct. 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)
The hotel rooms will be located in the eastern portion of the building, closest to the ocean, and the 55 condominium units will be located to the west, said Murphy. The hotel will also feature space for retail at street-level, and the aforementioned restaurant will be mated to a 30-seat hotel bar. The pool deck will be located outdoors above an enclosed parking deck.
An underground garage will have two entrances and go beyond the 218 spaces required under the borough’s zoning ordinance with a total of 303 spaces, including 21 electric vehicle charging stations that will be interspersed throughout the parking area for easy access.
The approval was celebrated by local business leaders, including real estate broker Mike Loundy, who has been instrumental in attracting a number of development projects to town.
“We are very pleased that tonight the Seaside Heights Planning Board approved this magnificent project, following the leadership shown by our mayor and council’s previous approval,” said Loundy. “This amazing new property is filling the void of recently-torn-down rooms with new ocean view hotel rooms and residences. The new large restaurant, event space, spa, and pool will be a very desirable destination that will continue to enhance our fantastic resort community.”
The rendering of a hotel proposed for Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights, N.J., Oct. 2023. (Photo: Mike Loundy)
The timing as to when construction will get underway and how long the large complex will take to build is dependent on factors ranging from permitting to weather.
“If we have everything approved, we’re roughly six to eight months from obtaining a building permit,” Caulder said at a workshop meeting before the board earlier this year, estimating an 18 month construction period. “It depends how we stage the project, but the good thing is that we have a small parking lot across the street that will take some of the pressure off.”
Caulder is a well-known developer based in Boston whose company, 6M Development, has been responsible for major undertakings up and down the Boston-to-Washington D.C. corridor. Notably, his company has received approval to build a five-story, 134-room boutique hotel on Boston’s north end, a major housing development on a pier at the Boston Navy Yard site, as well as the mixed-use Seville Boston Harbor complex which incorporates housing and retail uses along the city’s Meridian Street corridor.
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