A rendering of a proposed restaurant and condominium complex to replace Hooks in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/ MODE Architects)
After many decades of long nights at the helm, the captain is sailing into a new era.
The Seaside Heights planning board on Monday unanimously approved the demolition and reconstruction of Hooks (formerly Captain Hooks), one of the borough’s most legendary watering holes, in which the remains of what was once a rustic “pirate ship” themed bar that served no food – but made up for it with heaps of fun games, table tennis and air hockey – would be replaced with a modern restaurant along with just under two dozen condominium units.
The board reached its decision after several months of hearings, during which the idea for a new “Hooks” complex was pitched at a workshop meeting, adjourned due to matters of timing, and opposed by some residents of a condominium building across the Boulevard who claimed a new building could block their view to the east. Ultimately, the planning board approved the application to build a new restaurant along with two levels of living space a block from the ocean. Just two members of the public provided comments.
Located between Carteret and Kearney avenues on the Boulevard, the proposed replacement for the bar – renovated after being flooded during Superstorm Sandy and purchased by its current owner more than five years ago and refurbished even more – consists of a new “Hooks” restaurant and bar with a 4,800 square foot dining area, plus two floors of condominiums with a reserved parking area, pool and outdoor space.
A rendering of a proposed restaurant and condominium complex to replace Hooks in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/ MODE Architects)
A rendering of a proposed restaurant and condominium complex to replace Hooks in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/ MODE Architects)
Captain Hook’s Bar, Seaside Heights, N.J., Dec. 2020. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration at Hooks, Seaside Heights. (File Photo)
Residents of Oceana Villas, a condominium complex on the opposite side of the Boulevard, hired land use attorney Ron Gasiorowski to formally object to the bar’s replacement, raising issues with regard to parking and density, however several residents focused comments on the question as to whether their view eastward would be obstructed. The new Hooks building, however, complied with residential parking requirements and, like many businesses in town, requested a variance to allow 29 on-site parking spaces where 48 would normally be required for a restaurant. The issue of the view from the building across the street was non-starter.
“Even a fully compliant building at 41 feet would block the view of another 41 foot building,” said attorney Matthew Heagan, representing Hooks, adding that the Oceana Villas condominium building itself blocks the view of every other home to its west. Hooks will stand at 54 feet, 6 inches.
“The land use law does not talk about view – it talks about adequate light, air and space,” said Heagan. “It certainly would be difficult to fathom that this building would somehow infringe on the light, air and space of a building on the other side of the Boulevard.”
A rendering of a proposed restaurant and condominium complex to replace Hooks in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/ MODE Architects)
Captain Hook’s Bar, Seaside Heights, N.J., Dec. 2020. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Gasiorowski focused his arguments on the density of the building, where a variance was sought to allow units with an average of 955 square feet where 1,200 square feet is normally required. Another use variance was required since a small portion of the site is zoned for residential use rather than mixed or restaurant use.
“No one can question the fact that the proposed building is an attractive building,” said Gasiorowski. “The only problem with it is that it’s too large for the property on which it would be situated.”
Gasiorowski opined that the owner of Hooks should have “bought a larger property” or reduced the size of the proposed development.
“I am here asking this board to enforce its zoning ordinance,” he said.
Ultimately, with the owner having already modified some aspects of the plan in response to concerns heard at the initial workshop meeting, the board agreed to grant the variance relief being requested. But board member Christopher Vaz, before motioning for approval, proposed rules related to the pool and open space that are planned in the residential portion.
“We’re curious about time limits,” neighboring resident Peter Wilcox said earlier in the meeting. “Is it going to be a dusk-to-dawn pool so it’s not open 24 hours a day because of the noise?”
Vaz proposed a condition of approval that the pool and open space would be required to close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from April 1 to June 30, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. the remainder of the year. The board agreed, approving the motion with Vaz’s condition.
A rendering of a proposed restaurant and condominium complex to replace Hooks in Seaside Heights. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy/ MODE Architects)
According to representatives from Hooks, the new building will encompass the entire property, which is now developed with the bar to the north and an outdoor parking lot to the south. The restaurant is planned be located at ground level alongside a parking deck that would be blended into the building’s design behind a tilted facade that hides its more utilitarian purpose. The two upper levels would consist of living space, including nine condominiums on the first residential level and 13 on the upper level. The lower-level units will each have two or three bedrooms, while the upper units will come complete with a second-floor loft.
There will be two, two-way entrances and exits from the premises, both with 42-foot driveways. The parking deck would contain 40 spaces that would be reserved for residents, with restaurant customers utilizing the 29 provided spaces or street parking.
Hooks’ representatives indicated they hoped to start construction soon, having requested a memorialization of the approval at the board’s first meeting in August. Once the approval is memorialized and published in a print newspaper, permits to begin construction may be obtained.
Hooks will remain open for the 2025 summer season, with the bar advertising events for the week on its Facebook page.
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