A 24-unit townhome community proposed in Seaside Heights by builder K. Hovnanian. View from the corner of Lincoln Avenue and the Boulevard. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy)
K. Hovnanian, the prominent development firm, has completed the purchase of the Seaside Heights property that housed a now-demolished motel, making way for construction on its ambitious townhome community project to begin.
Hovnanian’s entrance into the Seaside Heights market has been hailed as yet another major victory for the town’s ongoing redevelopment efforts, and has been seen as a factor injecting confidence into the decision-making of other would-be developers. More than a decade after MTV’s “Jersey Shore” ceased production in town, sweeping changes brought by a new mayoral administration cracked down on derelict buildings and motels, opened up myriad redevelopment opportunities and has led to a tax ratable base that has more than doubled.
The Hovnanian project, which will bring a premium townhome community to the borough, will be constructed on the property of what had been the Offshore Motel. The site, located at the Boulevard and Dupont Avenue in the southern portion of the borough, was sold to the company for $4.7 million.
In addition to its purchase price, Hovnanian plans to invest $16.4 million into the 24-unit townhome community. The borough council in July voted unanimously to amend the project schedule for the Hovnanian development, which will now see the first building constructed before the end of 2026. Borough approval is required for facets of the project – such as timelines – since the property is a legally-designated redevelopment area. The closing on the property means construction permits can now be issued by the borough and work can get underway.
Offshore Motel, Seaside Heights, N.J., Sept. 2023. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The demolition of the former Offshore Motel, March 2024. (Photo: Mike Loundy)
“I am happy to confirm the largest single land purchase to take place in Seaside Heights,” said Mike Loundy, owner of Seaside Realty, who brokered the sale and will be offering the units to buyers. “K Hovnanian has always recognized value with their insight into the projects they bring to market. We are excited for Seaside Heights to now be part of their family of amazing projects that will be called ‘The Views at Seaside Heights.'”
Loundy confirmed the 24 townhomes will be owned as fee-simple, meaning the purchasers will own the land under each of their units, with an eye on keeping monthly costs down. Seaside Heights officials, with support from state and county counterparts, helped with the demolishing the existing structures and has agreed to property tax abatements for the owners of each the units.
“The townhomes will be situated in three buildings,” said Scott Turner, the project’s engineer, at the planning board hearing when the project was approved. “We have a ten unit building along Lincoln Avenue, we have a seven-unit building in the center of the property, and the third building is along Dupont Avenue and will also be a seven-unit building.”
A 24-unit townhome community proposed in Seaside Heights by builder K. Hovnanian. View from Lincoln Avenue. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy)
A 24-unit townhome community proposed in Seaside Heights by builder K. Hovnanian. View from the Boulevard. (Courtesy: Mike Loundy)
Each unit will have its own deeded block and lot, with one additional lot saved for access driveways and decorative landscaping as well as three guest spaces, Turner said. The developer will create two new driveways along the Boulevard to allow entrance and egress from the property, with the driveways 24-feet wide and made of porous paving.
Aesthetically, Hovnanian will be adding flora to the site and rebuilding curbs and drive aisles that are reflective of the borough’s redevelopment plans as well as the county’s design of the Boulevard business district’s sidewalks. There will be concrete curb and sidewalks installed along the side streets and granite-block curbing along the Boulevard, Turner said. Altogether, Hovnanian will plant 48 trees, 130 shrubs and a buffer between the complex and its residential neighbors.
“To have K Hovnanian recognize the value here and invest in our little town is very exciting,” said Loundy. “Seaside Heights has recently added over a Billion Dollars in ratables in past and planned projects my team at Seaside Realty continues to bring to the market.”
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