Salt Water Cafe

Promising a "cool, hip cafe on the beach," Madison Marquette is set to open the new Salt Water Beach Cafe on schedule at 4 p.m. Saturday in the former Howard Johnson's on the boardwalk.

Gabe Marabella, a seasoned Philadelphia and South Jersey restaurateur, is the operating partner. Marabella has been married for 28 years to Mottola's sister.

Madison Marquette, which signed an agreement with Asbury Partners to take over the entertainment and retail redevelopment, still has to sign a developer's agreement with the city. Those negotiations are expected to be ongoing over the next month.

Last week, at the city's Chamber of Commerce luncheon (that I was at) Mottola said a refurbished Paramount Theatre will open July 1.

The Salt Water will start with seating on the first floor and is expected shortly to open the upstairs. Kevin O'Kane is the Philadelphia-trained chef.

For the first week, the Salt Water will be open daily from 4 to 11 p.m . By the following weekend, it will open for lunch with hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except for Tuesdays when it will be closed.

Dinners will offer small-plate items in the $12 to $16 range and entrees in the $20 vicinity.

The restaurant wants to draw in the beach crowd.

"If you're in your bathing suit, you need a shirt and shoes," he said. "We'll also have 50 outdoor seats and a boardwalk menu."

This is the beginning of restoring the 5th ave Pavillion with the closed bandshell on the 2nd floor. Earlier plans had called for the demolition of the structure.

Madison Marquette - Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

On May 17, 2007, Madison Marquette's Gary Mottola gave a brief presentation of their plans as managing member of Asbury Partners in restoring the beachfront and more.

He plans to have the Paramount Theatre opened once again on July 1 with a number of events planned. One being bringing back the Metro Lyric Opera.

David Rockwell, New York Archtitect, has been engaged to do preliminary concept work. The planned entertainment zone near Wesley Lake, may be redesigned to adjust the retail center into the new and renovated Casino building on the boardwalk. The Casino project would not happen until 2010.

He hopes to make Ocean Avenue as well as the boardwalk a friendly walkway with a mix of retail, entertainment and special events. Walking the boardwalk yesterday, one can see Madison's input into this massive project. The streetscapes are being completed ahead of schedule and items scheduled to be finished after more building occurred will be completed first, even though it may have to be redone at some point in the future.

Mr. Mottola also has a fondness for the Jersey Shore, having grown up in Bergen County, he recalls his past summers in the Beach Haven area where he still goes. Looks like Gary will be walking the boardwalk this summer, which is welcomed. He says he knows what the Jersey Shore is - it's not a shopping center in Kansas or in Texas. This IS the Jersey Shore. This is Asbury Park.

Welcome, Mr. Mottola and Good Luck. We're counting on you.

Madison Marquette, making a difference in Asbury Park.

The Wave Gathering

Asbury Park, New Jersey. Music City Comes Alive May 18, 19, 20 as the WAVE GATHERING comes into town. The entire city comes alive with music at the traditional venues like the Stone Pony, Wonder Bar and Saint but many other local eateries are taking part as well. From Sunset Landing along Deal Lake to the all new Cookman Avenue.

That weekend, listen to music where you want, when you want. It will be easy to find in Asbury Park.

See the schedule for:

May 18
May 19
May 20

Asbury Park Real Estate

Asbury Park, New Jersey - May 1, 2007.

Real Estate Sales in Asbury Park remain steady. David Dorfman, publisher of the website asburyboardwalk.com and Real Estate Agent for Gilman Commercial Realty LLC recently noted the following on the real estate market in Asbury Park, New Jersey. All information is subject to change and information obtained from the Monmouth County MLS system, tax records and conversations with other professionals.

There are numberous units available for sale or for rent in Asbury Park. From several new developments to condo conversions - prices from $149,000 for a studio to onver $2m in the under construction Esperanza.

1. The Esperanza - 2 towers built on the Ocean at 4th Ave. 224 Units in total. PRices for a 1 bedroom begin at $385,000 up to over $2m for larger, ocean front units. The average 2 bedroom or 2 bedroom with den begin around $580,000. This project is under contruction and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008.

2. Northbeach - 3 complexes: The Seville, The Monterey and the Barcelona. 154 units total. Approximately 17 units remain in addition to resales and rentals. Units from $450,000 to $1.3m. Rentals from $2000 per month.

3. Wesley Grove - Built along Wesley Lake facing Ocean Grove and Cookman Avenue. The link from downtown Asbury Park to the Boardwalk. Phase I consists of 91 units. Approxiamtely 41 have been sold. Rental units available from $2000 per month. Occuppancy August of 2007.

4. Downtown Asbury:
a) The Blu - 24 units from $450,000. Southbeach style in downtown.
b) The Mattison - units from $450,000
c) The Grande - converted former Jersey Central Power and Light company building. Rentals from $2,000 and resales.

5. The Steinbach - Historic renovation of a former department store. 63 units. RENTALS from $1350 per month to $2850 per month. Ground floor retail.

6. Ocean Arms (4th Ave), Shoreview (4th Ave), Park Terrace, Deal Lake Village (North Asbury) - converted apartments to Condos from $149,000.

7. The Esplande - An original condo buildng on Sunset Ave. Lake and Ocean views from upper floors.

8. The Bradley - Converted large home to 13 units. Rentals (from $2,000) to resales (from $450,000).

There are plenty more of opportunities in Asbury Park.

Please contact:
David Dorfman
Gilman Commercial Realty LLC
708 Hwy 35, Neptune NJ
(On the Asbury Circle)

732-539-2914