Construction has broken ground on a three-story rental building at 665 Second Avenue in Long Branch, New Jersey. Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners and developed by Inspired by Somerset Development, the structure will yield 22 apartments, an indoor parking garage with electric vehicle charging stations, and 800 square feet of retail space.
Before demolition, Inkwell Coffee House occupied the site since the 1960s. The cafe and late night event space was frequented by Bruce Springsteen in his youth, and became a historic destination for local residents. The business closed last year when the owner decided to retire.
“We recognize this site’s storied history as a local landmark for Long Branch and the Jersey Shore, and are working carefully with the township and community members to ensure we honor its past while we work toward a new and successful future,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and founder of Inspired by Somerset Development. “We are excited to begin construction on this new building, which will help meet the significant demand for high-quality housing in the area while fitting seamlessly into the existing fabric of Long Branch’s West End and adding a new sense of vibrancy to this already dynamic area.”
The development team and project partners celebrated the commencement of construction on April 25. The property is expected to debut next summer.
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I am always astonished at the manner of apartment construction in New Jersey. They start with a masonry base, then go up for several stories entirely in wood except for occasional stairwells. Some of these have come to a bad end even with sprinkler systems. There was one complex opposite Manhattan’s Riverside Church that burnt down in mid-construction and then again when it was fully occupied. I prefer the New York codes.
Some of us remember the inkwell before this one. Corner of Brighton and 2nd ave. This one was never the real inkwell to those old timers like myself. Once the original owner was out of the picture it was never the same. I hope he is still alive and well. Nice man. I can picture his face as I speak. This inkwell was always bogus, loud and dirty and became more of a freak hangout than a place for civilized people. It’s nice to see something positive hopefully happening in that space. It was the sweaty armpit in the middle of west end for too long. Sheila Bibi in the back space added some class for several years before her passing away about eight or ten years ago.