Ocean Grove developers pitch plan to replace burned-out North End Pavilion
NEPTUNE -- Developers want to construct a state-of-the-art facility on the beachfront in Ocean Grove to replace the North End Pavilion that burned down nearly six years ago.
However, what kind of beach club they plan to construct is currently to be determined.
Two real estate developers, Joe Betesh of Ocean Township and Ezra Shehebar of Brooklyn, New York, have entered into a contract to acquire approximately 50,000 square feet of beachfront property in Ocean Grove.
The site was formerly home to the iconic North End Pavilion, which burned down in 2019.
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"We have plans to build a major modern beach club there and we think Ocean Grove is on a major shift similar to Long Branch and Asbury. We are trying to create some kind of energy and excitement around the project and around the town," Betesh said.
He added "if all goes well and all goes through," this project would be a boost for tourism in Neptune.
"(It would) bring in a lot of tourists and a lot of people who would never have any other business being in Ocean Grove or maybe even never heard of the town," Betesh said. "There is a lot of potential there and I think it is starting to get unlocked."
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The project and all its renderings are still in the conceptual stage. No plans have been submitted to the township for approval just yet, as the contract for the land was just signed.
This is not the only plans in the works for that area. Developers have been eying the North End for years.
In 2018, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association reached a development deal with a group of investors to bring a new 40-room hotel, 39 condominiums, 10 single-family homes, along with new retail space to the area.
On Feb. 26 of last year, the Neptune Township Committee voted 3-2 to move forward with that development on the north end of Ocean Grove, a plan with a mix of retail, condominiums, single-family homes, a hotel with an underground parking garage.
The developer, OG North End Development LLC (OGNED), is seeking preliminary and final site plan approval before the planning board on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The location of the former pavilion is directly across from the OGNED site.
Betesh and Shehebar said they are committed to "ensuring that the new facility aligns with Ocean Grove's distinctive aesthetic requirements."
Future designs will likely incorporate elements that reflect the town's famous Victorian architecture and seaside charm, helping to maintain the unique character that is associated with Ocean Grove as a special destination.
"Ocean Grove historically is a pretty tough town," Betesh said, referring to Ocean Grove's strict development rules. "They have pretty traditional ways."
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Ocean Grove was created in 1869 by Methodist clergymen and is known for its Victorian-style homes and the Great Auditorium, which frequently attracts religious gatherings. It is commonly known by the nickname "God's Square Mile." It is part of Neptune Township, but the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns most of the land except for the streets. Homeowners and businesses there rent their land from the association.
"I want the town to see there is a lot of potential here, for there to be excitement," Betesh said. "I think a lot of people will like it. The more positive energy we create around this development, the better."
The developers say they are seeking "restoration of a key beachfront landmark" with "enhanced amenities for beachgoers" and an economic boost, as they consider this future site as the rebirth of the North End Pavilion.
"A beachfront wellness facility, a beach club, that is the idea," Betesh said. "I am from the area. Born and raised in Ocean Township. I grew up going to Ocean Grove my whole life."
Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean Grove North End Pavilion: Developers promote beach club plan
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