Former grungy beach town with deep ties to Bruce Springsteen roars back to life as an ultra-luxury getaway

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

An East coast beach town is another one that has been transformed from crumbling boardwalks and punk bars to boutiques and luxury high-rise living — but this one's managing to hang on to a piece of its gritty history.
It's long been loved by New Jersey residents seeking long beach days and barbeques in the sweltering summer months.
Now, Asbury Park, New Jersey, the iconic, blue-collar getaway where Bruce Springsteen proudly started his career, has finally been discovered by developers.
The once-grimy seaside area is making waves in the luxury real estate world with the arrival of Lido Asbury Park, an ultra-modern condominium development on the ocean where condos start at $825,000 that will redefine 'down the shore,' the Jersey-esque term used by locals who vacation there.
The arrival of the condos has had an immediate ripple effect on the area.
Property values in Asbury Park have surged — according to Zillow, the median home price year over year from June 2024 to June 2025 increased from $680,000 to $705,667.
The building has also drawn high-end businesses who want their wealthy residents to spend money there. Nearby fine dining spot Pascal & Sabine now offers an $85 dover sole plate paired with a $25 glass of cabernet.
While the kitschy beach shops selling T-shirts, aging arcades, and dive bars remain, the once neglected boardwalk is now also lined with boutique hotels, art galleries, indie retail offering curated designer clothing, and high-end salons with $100 haircuts.
In addition to the local crab shacks that have so far survived the revitalization, fine dining like St. Laurent Social Club, from Top Chef alum and James Beard Award semi-finalist David Viana, and Judy and Harry's, a seasonal bar and restaurant, have also become local favorites.
Still, Asbury Park remains true to its roots in many ways.
It has a rich music history, with Springsteen and Bon Jovi both playing at the Stone Pony, easily considered a local institution, early in their careers. The club, which opened in 1974, remains amidst the changes to the area.
Springsteen's debut studio album from 1973 is even titled Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. He admittedly bleeds Asbury Park to this day.
'I'm in the Atlantic Ocean every summer,' Springsteen told Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast in May
'I still ride all these roads that I rode when I was a kid.
'I still love to go down and get a hot dog from Max's or the Wind Mill.
'I still love to spend a little time in the Asbury Park boardwalk when I can, and I live 10 minutes here from my hometown of Freehold. I'll be here till the angels come knocking.'
The Boss also visited movie sets in Asbury Park when production was filming for the upcoming Springsteen biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White.
Asbury Park is also known for its creative community. The Asbury Park Arts District is a must see for artists and the area is known for its friendly LGBTQ+ vibes.
The Asbury Park arts district and various public art installations in town have helped to cultivate the city as a destination for art lovers.
The Lido promises to offer the ultimate in coastal living, with modern architecture on the beach that also preserves some of that grit Asbury Park is known for.
'Asbury Park has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations along the East Coast. Lido is raising the bar even higher,' Ralph Zucker, CEO of Somerset Development, which designed the building, told DailyMail.com.
'The pre-sales have already been exceptional.'
Somerset Development is the same team behind Bell Works in Holmdel, the famous office building from Severance that serves as the eerie backdrop for Lumon Industries.
The building has already broken a record with the sale of its $7.6 million triplex penthouse — it's the most expensive condo ever sold in New Jersey.
The four-bedroom, 3,626-square-foot penthouse has a private rooftop plunge pool, a 'summer kitchen' designed for outdoor grilling, double-height ceilings and sweeping ocean views.
The eight-story waterfront complex located on Ocean Avenue will have interiors and art curated by award-winning Clodagh Design, which furnished the terraces of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
The building will be finished in all natural materials like warm white oak, Taj Mahal stone, and custom designed cabinetry.
A 50,000-square-foot amenity suite includes a saltwater swimming pool, Turkish hammam, and outdoor fire pits.
Residents will have access to resort-style amenities like hot-cold plunge pools, saunas and a full-service fitness center overlooking the ocean.
The 112 residences range from $825,000 to over $7 million.
The building is a surprising addition to the area, which had fallen onto hard times in the 1970s after tourists began to explore other shore towns.
Asbury Park, founded in 1871 by millionaire manufacturer James A. Bradley, was named after Francis Asbury, one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in North America.
Private outdoor spaces are a key feature, with select homes having oversized terraces
Bradley's vision for the town sprung to life with a boardwalk and a thriving business district that sat at water's edge. But with the expansion of New Jersey's highways, tourists began to flee.
Now, it's coming back to life, much like neighboring Long Branch, a once-neglected shore town that Jared Kushner has reinvented as a playground for the wealthy.
At the Lido, each condo is open-concept design that floods with natural light and has panoramic views of both the Atlantic and Asbury Park's bustling boardwalk.
Private outdoor spaces for many of the units have private pools and oversized terraces.
A grand lobby welcomes visitors with a sculptural bronze spiral staircase and seashell-inspired design elements.
There's a library lounge with a fireplace, a parlor room, and a dedicated co-working suite tailor-made for remote workers.
Residents share a private screening room, a game room, and even a private dining suite that comes complete with a catering kitchen.
For pet lovers, there's an animal spa, and there's an interactive playroom for kids.
Outside, there are landscaped pathways, private cabanas, a barbecue area, and a sculpture garden. There's also an alfresco dining suite with an outdoor kitchen for seaside dinner parties.
The development of the Lido has kickstarted the luxury market in Asbury Park.
'What truly sets LIDO apart is the range of residences available, from spacious one-bedrooms to expansive multi-floor penthouses,' said Jodi Stasse, Senior Managing Director at Corcoran Sunshine, which is selling the units.