High marks for Pier Village

Via APP.COM

By CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS

Festival Plaza along Ocean Ave. BY MARY FRANK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LONG BRANCH — Crack houses, a rat-infested water slide and boarded up arcades. This was the setting where the Pier Village retail and residential complex was built in a city that had endured decades of decline.

And while the complex — the first to be built in the most recent spate of oceanfront redevelopment projects — is readied for its third and final stage, the community last week observed the fifth anniversary of the first phase with nary a hiccup.

Nonetheless, the impact on the city has been substantial, and officials foresee Phase 3 providing additional, significant benefits.

Merchants and city leaders say Pier Village has succeeded in extending the city’s tourism season, part of a long-term plan to shift the local economy to a year-round one. It is also credited with sharply increasing beach revenues, from $200,000 before Pier Village to a record-breaking $1.2 million in 2010, a figure that was surpassed this year by the end of July.

Also, the increases in tax assessments on the development property are virtually astronomical. And the jobs produced by the 13 or so restaurants, 16 boutiques, hotel and beach club has brought substantial disposable income into the city, said business leaders

“As Pier Village gets bigger, it is going to be adding assets to the city that aren’t there now,” said Mayor Adam Schneider.

“We think it has more than delivered,” said Gregory R. Russo of the Hoboken-based developer Applied Development Co.

Schneider said the final phase includes plans for adding 50 percent more retail space on the parcel that draws tourists from other parts of New Jersey and from New York and Pennsylvania. It is marketed as an upscale version of the Jersey Shore experience, complete with a luxury hotel and gourmet restaurants.

But Pier Village also contains very basic eateries like a pizza parlor and a hot dog stand; supporters say the mixture of price points allows the complex to be accessible to people with varying incomes.

“In this one little area, there was so much to do. I also felt safe because you didn’t have to go miles away” to eat or shop, said Reve Anderko. “Everything was right outside your front door.”

Anderko came from Bethlehem, Pa., two years ago to take a job in the area and thought Pier Village was about as good as it got in terms of area rentals.

She also supports the conceptual plan for Phase 3, noting her apartment often plays host to family visitors, particularly in the summer.

Pier Village Phase 3 is planned as a “family-friendly” area that will house a carousel, possibly miniature golf and some sort of arcade operation similar to the restaurants that also offer games and entertainment.

“It would make sense and it would definitely fit in an area such as this,” said Anderko, adding that she likes the city’s plan to rebuild its oceanfront pier as well.

Pier Village stands as a beacon to other potential investors, Schneider said.

“It sends a message that even in a tough economy, Long Branch is still a place where work is going on,” said Schneider.

While officials proceed with redevelopment plans, they acknowledge they are not likely to see developers coming in to do major projects any longer. In the wake of the eminent domain backlash, developers would have more difficulty and likely more expense assembling large pieces of property for redevelopment.

Brendan Ward, 27, has lived at Pier Village for about a year. A runner, he works part-time at The Sneaker Factory as he works toward a graduate degree in social work.

Ward said that even though it is often seen as a haven for upscale boutiques, he finds a sense of community there, among the residents and those who work in the shops.

But it is not perfect.

“There is that sense of community, but sometimes it feels like a bubble,” said Ward. “If there was one thing I would wish for, it would be to alleviate that bubble” and find a way to spread a Pier Village combination of community and retail success into the city’s downtown and along Broadway, he said.

In 2006, Pier Village received the project of the year award from the Urban Land Institute. In 2007, it was named one of 20 great American beaches by Travel & Leisure Magazine and in 2009, it received the governor’s tourism award.

Melanie Rowbotham, 21, a Monmouth University senior who hails from Sussex County, won the on-campus lottery that helps decide which students will be eligible to live in some of the 30 or so units the school reserves at Pier Village.

The English/elementary education major stayed there with three roommates her junior year as well and took advantage of her 11-month lease to spend the summer at the beach. Not a bad arrangement, she said, laughing.

She is thinking of staying at Pier Village if she gets a job in the region. Right now, she doesn’t even mind paying the extra money for the nearly-year round access to the beach, the ocean and the complex pool.

“It’s summer on the beach. It is definitely worth it,” she said.

Pier Village is not without its detractors. There have been objections to the use of eminent domain for the project and complaints of more traffic.

Monmouth University Professor John Buzza, a business instructor who monitors the local hospitality industry, said the development still is too costly for locals to embrace, although it has helped the city recover.

“I think Pier Village is a godsend and people are looking to emulate it in all these urban areas,” Buzza added.

“Before Pier Village came in, I thought it was a great idea,” said Dennis Sherman, who heads Save Ocean Avenue, a group whose goal is to ensure that other areas of the oceanfront and boardwalk are not ignored. “It would go a long way toward improving conditions in the area, and it did.”

However, as an economic engine, it has been a disappointment, he said.

“The tax-abatement program, we thought it would help taxes go down, and taxes went up,” said Sherman.

Esther Cohen, president of the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, believes Pier Village has produced an eight-month tourism season.

“Look at Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbor or Long Beach Island in October: The (traffic) lights are blinking yellow,” she said.

Not so in Long Branch, where if visitors didn’t know about Pier Village when they arrived, they discover it before they leave.

“It is a destination within a destination and in creating that destination … They also recreated the destination of Long Branch,” Cohen said.

PIER VILLAGE PHASE 3

The project, which already has received site-plan approval from the city Planning Board and approval from the City Council, acting as the city’s Redevelopment Agency, includes space for a second, larger hotel, condominiums and 40,000 square feet of retail space, said developer Gregory R. Russo.
Infrastructure improvements, roadwork and utilities, for example, should begin this fall, continue until the start of the 2012 summer season, and resume the following fall for partial occupancy by Memorial Day 2013.

Phase 3 is intended to be “family-friendly,” with a carousel, possible miniature golf course and some form of arcade.

Developers also proposed an enlargement and expansion of the boardwalk in certain areas to give shoppers the sense that they are actually on the boards, when they make their purchases, recalling more traditional boardwalk set-ups.

Tax assessments on the Pier Village property totaled $6.67 million in 2005, before construction started.

In 2007, the land and the improvements were assessed at $84.4 million. That same year, Pier Village paid $485,818 in taxes, an abated figure. By 2011, the project was subject to full taxes, except for the Sirena and Avenue restaurants, which become eligible in 2012. Officials are considering whether Phase 3 will receive a tax abatement.

Phase 1: 320 rental apartments and 100,000 square feet of retail space; occupancy complete in August 2006.

Phase 2: 216 apartments, 1,800 square feet of retail and a 24-unit hotel; construction completed in 12 months with the hotel called The Bungalow opening in 2009.

Phase 3: 70-room hotel, 320 condominiums and 40,000-square feet of retail; to be ready by Memorial Day 2013. No construction planned for summer 2012 season.

Livingetc: American Idol

For hotels that effortlessly team laid-back with luxe, head Stateside

words NEIL McLEENAN and ROZ ERSKINE

Summer holidays are all about getting your fill of wide, open spaces, big, blue skies and glamorous beach living. And nowhere in the world does that quite as well as the US of A. The weak pound may mean a shopping spree doesn’t offer the draw it once did, but a holiday across the pond still means you can look forward to copious quantities of good food, a familiar culture, quality accommodation and great
service (with a nothing-expected-in-return smile). For urban fun, an historic LA grande dame has recently been given a complete style overhaul, while in Miami, Soho House is putting on the glitz with a newly opened contemporary beach house. On the east coast,The Hamptons usually gets all the press, but we head south from New York to check out the only boutique hotel on the more approachable Jersey Shore. God bless America.

Sun-bleached white is teamed with hits of colour and original art.

BUNGALOW HOTEL
Long Branch, New Jersey

The Jersey Shore has long been popular with Manhattanites and ‘Noo Joisey” locals, who flock to the diverse beach towns in search of rest ‘n’ rec. The Bungalow Hotel, in smart Long Branch, is the area’s only true boutique hotel, offering an intimate, informal experience with interiors by Livingetc favourites Sixx Design (see April 2010). The sun-washed vacation vibe is expressed through extensive white surfaces relaxed with textured woods, and made modern with poppy contemporary art, surfboards and evocatively named suites. Chill at the local beach or head to Atlantic City to recreate your own 21st century Boardwalk Empire, Doubles from £173 (bungalowhotel. net).

All rooms are large, with kitchen facilities and comfy seating.

See the full clip: Livingetc – American Idols

Fireworks at Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ on July 4, 2011

Summer Travel: Pier Village

And at 8:35am, our look at vacations was just a drive away continues when Lisa Mateo checks out Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey. For more information, on Pier Village, visit http://www.piervillage.com.

Click here to see the full clip of Pier Village from Pix 11.

DC Magazine: Small Goes Big Time

Design stars Cortney and Robert Novogratz bring Long Branch N.J. its first boutique hotel.

Posh properties with an eye toward chic and unique amenities are popping up from Maine to Miami. Here, the inn crowd.

by Perri Haynes, Sarai Johnson, JC McCray and Lauren Pritchard
DC Magazine

New Jersey
Bungalow

The only situation this Jersey Shore hideaway presents is the question of which of the fabulous 24 oversized rooms, all designed by Bravolebrities Robert and Cortnev Novogratz, to choose. The husband and wife principles of Sixx Design, known for tongue-in-cheek chic, put the final touches on exclusive Long Branch’s only boutique hotel, just as their hit show 9 by Design hit the airwaves. The same mod-bohemian style seen on the series
pervades this beachfront outpost, which evokes St. Tropez
far better than anything GTL. Treating the hot spot as they would their homes, the couple picked up Technicolor dream finds from flea markets in Paris, Moss in Manhattan and midcentury Modern showrooms throughout the world. The famed Obama desk designer John Houshmand crafted the bar and lobby, while art from Slim Aarons’ photography to Brit wit Ann Carrington’s collages hang throughout the stunning expanse. The couple’s already working on the space’s nearby sister hotel, Cabana, set to open in 2012. $249-$979 nightly. bungalowhotel.net

See the full clip here: DC Magazine: Small Goes Big Time

NJ Biz: New Jersey’s Cities are on the Rebound

Manhattan’s proximity drives Hoboken, Jersey City, demand while some markets lag

By EVELYN LEE

The nascent housing rebound is playing out differently in New Jersey’s cities: While established urban residential real estate markets are seeing an uptick in occupancies and rental rates, more unproven markets will have a longer road to
recovery, experts said.

“New Jersey’s urban areas are very disparate areas,” said John McIlwain, senior fellow for housing at the Urban Land Institute, in Washington. While some cities are doing well, “there’s places like Trenton and Camden, which are challenged and have been for a long time.”

Among the strongest-performing urban housing markets are those located close to Manhattan. “We’re seeing a tremendous amount of resurgence in the urban housing markets along the Hudson River waterfront,” said Carl Goldberg, managing partner at Roseland Property Co., based in the Short Hills section of Millburn. Roseland recently opened the Monaco, a 524-unit residential tower in Jersey City, which rented more than 40 apartments in its first 15 days, and is now renting more than 20 apartments per week, Goldberg said. “That kind of absorption is almost unprecedented,” he said. Because residential construction dropped off sharply during the recession, demand now outweighs supply, he said.

“In general, the primary markets accelerate first, then they start pulling the properties a little bit further afield,” said David Barry, president of Ironstate Development Co., a Hoboken-based real estate developer.

“Certainly, in Hoboken, Jersey City, we’re already seeing strengthening,” Barry said. The rental recovery in those cities is already occurring, with occupancies in those cities running at 98 percent, compared to levels “in the low 90s” in 2009, he said. Concessions also have largely disappeared, he said.

The for-sale condominium market in those cities, however, will lag rentals, since greater job growth and rental rate appreciation will need to occur for condominium demand to increase, Barry said, predicting “a modest year, because there’s some inventory that needs to be absorbed.”

Urban housing demand is largely being driven by a younger demographic — people who are in their 20s and 30s and working in more entry-level jobs, Barry said. In many cases, they also grew up in a town in the general vicinity of that city, people who move to Hoboken or Jersey City, for example, often are from northern New Jersey. “People go to places they’re comfortable with,” he said.

Proximity to New York is a high driver of demand, but so is access to mass transit, Goldberg said- “If people move into urban communities, they want to greatly diminish the use of their car.”

While “places like Jersey City and Hoboken are coming back” because of their location advantage, a strong rebound in those areas isn’t likely until next year” McIlwain said. The housing market remains very weak nationally, though Manhattan is faring better than the rest of the country, he said.

“When prices start to rise again in Manhattan, that pushes people out,” he said. “People will be looking for more attractive and more affordable alternatives.”

As better-known residential markets like Hoboken and Jersey City begin to strengthen — and get more expensive — “people will start to look at less-established markets to get more space for less money,” Barry said.

According to Goldberg, secondary urban housing markets in New Jersey are priced at about 60 to 70 percent of what Hudson riverfront properties command.

One such market is Harrison, where Roseland and Millennium Homes built River Park at Harrison in 2008, and where Ironstate is currently constructing its first project in the town, the 280-apartment Harrison Station, with completion expected in September.

“Harrison is where Jersey City was 15 years ago,” said Barry, noting that in the mid-’90s, when Ironstate built its first project in the latter municipality— Portside at Paulus Hook — the new development was surrounded by industrial buildings. Today, Harrison Station is going up in the same predominantly industrial area as River Park, the only other major residential project to be built in the town in recent years, he said.

“I’m very confident Harrison has all the characteristics of an area that is going to be immensely successful,” he said. “It’s unbelievably connected to all these employment areas,” in Newark, Jersey City and Manhattan, that can be accessed in a 15-minute PATH ride. But if Ironstate’s project is considered a first step,
“Harrison needs to take six or eight or 10 more steps to get to where it needs to be,” he added. That’s “going to play out over the next 10 or 15 years.”

While Manhattan is seen as a strong driver of urban housing markets in northern New Jersey, it has less of an impact on New Jersey cities farther south. Long Branch, where Ironstate is building the master-planned community Pier Village, “is a slightly different equation, because there are subpockets of employment” in Middlesex and Monmouth counties, Barry said.

In New Brunswick, meanwhile, the residential market “has sustained itself over the last recession,” partly because of its more localized drivers of demand, said Christopher J. Paladino, president of New Brunswick Development Corp.

New Brunswick has “a bit of an artificial market” because of Rutgers University’s location in the city, he said. “The student housing market is not dramatically impacted by economic cycles.”

The city also didn’t see significant layoffs from the university and its other major employers. Johnson &Johnson and the Robert Wood Johnson University and St. Peter’s University hospitals- Still, the local housing market did weaken somewhat in the downturn: although occupancy rates have largely held steady, for-sale condominiums are now priced at about $150,000 below their peak, and rental rates also have declined, he said.

Devco is constructing 200 rental and for-sale units at its Gateway project, adjacent to the New Brunswick train station. “We’re looking to try to facilitate a longer-term living commitment to the city than your average renter,” Paladino said. The strategy is to price condos at levels that are attractive to a younger couple, where “she may be a young physician at the hospital, and he
may be an administrator at the university,” he said.

While cities like Newark may have a geographic advantage over New Brunswick in being closer to Manhattan, “we’ve had a 10-year headstart” on non-Gold Coast cities, building more than 1,000 new rental and for-sale units in the past eight years, Paladino said.

In does such as Newark, Elizabeth, Rahway, Trenton and Camden, “residential development is still in the pioneering stages.”

In Newark, “it’s going to take some years and hard work” for a recovery to take hold, McIlwain said. There’s a lot of issues it’s still working through.” And Camden as a whole “is still financially struggling and has a long way to go.”

Overall, growth in New Jersey’s urban areas has been occurring at a slower rate than it did in the 1990s, he said. “The future of urban areas in New Jersey is mixed,” McIlwain said. “There will continue to be empty nesters and young professionals moving into urban areas,” he said. “There will also continue to be families with kids moving out to the suburbs.” That will likely create a net loss in the state’s urban populations, since the new households living in the cities will be much smaller, and some urban housing markets could have more units built than people moving in, he said: “That will be a trend that will continue.”

See the full clip here: NJ Biz – New Jersey’s Cities are on the Rebound

Home is Where the Art Is

Barry and his wife have lived in their two-floor penthouse at the Sovereign with their three children, ages 15, 13 and 11, for the past three years. Previously, the family lived in another building in Ironstate's The Shipyard, the redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel shipyard into five buildings, comprising about 1,200 residential units and ground-floor retail space along the Hoboken waterfront. (Photo courtesy of NJ Biz)

Real estate developer enjoys MANHATTAN views, modern art in his living room

by Evelyn Lee

The colorful “Free Beer” sign at the entrance to the living room in David Barry’s Hoboken penthouse is just the start of things to come in this space filled with striking visuals.

Barry, president of Ironstate Development, also based in the Mile Square City, is an avid collector of contemporary art, an interest he makes abundantly clear on the walls of the room.

“I like art a lot,” said Barry, 45. “It resonates with me emotionally. … There’s something about art that’s more engaging, and you see it in different ways, depending on what your mood is, what the light is.”

Prominently displayed above the fireplace — across from windows with sweeping, panoramic views of Manhattan — is a piece that was part of the “Pictures of Junk” series by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

At first glance, the work appears to be a Renaissance oil painting of Apollo and Daphne, but upon closer inspection, the figures actually are composed of pieces of junk carefully arranged on a warehouse floor and photographed from above, said Barry, who has been collecting for about 10 years.

Inside a recess along the same wall is a series of images relating to “On the Waterfront,” the 1954 Marlon Brando film that was shot in and around the docks of Hoboken. “It was kind of cool to be able to have some Hoboken references” in the living room, said Barry, who purchased the work by Drew Heitzler, at Renwick Gallery, in New York.

On another wall, behind a grand piano that belonged to the grandfather of his wife, Kyra Barry, hang a pair of magenta and gray paintings Barry commissioned artist Sarah Crowner to create. “I felt like this room needed a little bit of pop,” he said. “We wanted something that was a little bit abstract, that wouldn’t compete with this,” he added, gesturing toward the views of Manhattan.

(Photo courtesy of NJ Biz)

As for the “Free Beer” painting, Barry said, that was done by a Danish art group called Superflex as part of a project that involved publishing free recipes for beer. “It was more their social viewpoint that everything should be open-sourced,” he said. “If you have a formula for technology or a recipe, it should be shared with the world, because that makes the world better.”

Barry also happens to like beer, he added with a smile, and “1 thought it was a little funny and humorous that when you walk into this nice apartment, the first thing you sec is ‘Free Beer.’”

Although his wife also is an art lover, “we don’t have exactly similar tastes — but similar enough that we can find a lot of crossover,” Barry said. “I like things that are a little bit crazier and more aggressive. She probably generally prefers things that are a little bit calmer and more abstract.”

Barry likes to work with the same galleries for art acquisitions, such as Renwick, Nicelle Beauchene and Hasted Kraeutler, in New York. “I’m not so much into random galleries,” he said. “I like to have a little bit of reference.” He also travels with Kyra and four or five other couples every year to Art Basel Miami Beach, an art show where Barry usually acquires new pieces.

Barry said he doesn’t always know where he will hang a new piece of artwork in his home. “I just buy it if I like it, and then I try to figure out where to put it.”

Barry grew up in Maplewood, and later lived in New York for several years, during and subsequent to attending Columbia University. But after his children were born, he wanted his home to be closer to the office. “I’m very busy, I work a lot,” he said. “It really is nice for me to literally be 10 blocks away, to be able to come home at a moment’s notice.”

Unlike their last home, the Barrys, current apartment was custom designed by architect David Collins, who previously worked on Avenue, a restaurant located in Ironstate’s Pier Village development in Long Branch.

“My family and I decided that we would get some more space and do an apartment that really reflected our lifestyle,” with a contemporary feel, a lot of natural materials and plenty of outdoor space, Barry said. “We transitioned into a real home.”

See the full clip here: NJ Biz – Home is Where the Art is

Image Magazine: The Jersey Shore’s Diamond in the Rough

Pier Village Offers It All For A True Summer Escape

BY LORI CHIAZZO PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MCHUGH

The beauty, accommodations and ease of feeling at home. Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey has it all to allow guests to enjoy the relaxation of a summer retreat infused with the friendly atmosphere of a village community.

The $400 million Victorian-inspired mixed-use village that is Pier Village features more than 100,000 square feet of boutique shops and restaurants, a rebuilt boardwalk & refurbished beach, an elegant Beach Club, an outdoor festival plaza which hosts year-round special events and the best in luxury accommodations. The family-friendly community is a year-round Jersey destination but things really heat up during the summer season. Brimming with outdoor chatter and offering the best beach lifestyle, Pier Village is the place to go for a pleasurable retreat.

Where to Lounge You’ll find Le Club Avenue at Pier Village where the sand meets luxury. An expansive private beach club combining European style and elegance with American energy and service, Le Club provides a stylish setting for those looking to unwind in the summer sun.

Evoking a feeling reminiscent of Mediterranean life, a clean, uncluttered beach oasis, offers members the ultimate in private beach amenities. A beautiful roof-top pool deck expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean while full-service cabanas with decor inspired from Morocco, the Mediterranean, Africa and Asia offers members a private escape for their beach-going days. Plush, oversized day beds and chaise lounge chairs give a relaxing spot for sun lovers to find solace while chatting with friends letting the rays soak in. Even the changing rooms are a sight to be seen, featuring cool marble vanities, smooth pebbled showers, rainfall shower heads and tropical teak wood lockers. When the sun sets, Le Club’s rooftop deck and pool is transformed into a sequence of sophisticated contemporary in door-outdoor settings where exotic cocktails, superb cuisine and open-air lounging meet to provide a grown-up playground under the stars. The emergence of Avenue Nuit nightclub offers patrons an outdoor fireplace, oversized bed seating, VIP tables and attracts world-class DJ’s. The popular Long Branch destination attracts a trendy crowd looking to unwind near the water of the Jersey Shore.

Where to Shop With upscale retail locations, Pier Village has something for everyone. Women looking for trendy wardrobe choices need only to stop by The Bee for elegant and edgy fashion items or Jenna & Molly’s for chic, sophisticated styles for any age. Aloha Grove has the best in beach-friendly fashion and accessories for men, women and kids and even offers surf lessons for the more thrill seeking beach goers. To satisfy your summer sweet tooth, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory features delectable hand-made chocolate confections that will have you forgetting about your summer diet to indulge in sweet chocolate treats.

For a spot to buy one-of-a-kind home pieces. Candy’s Cottage & Primo Glass is your stop. Featuring unique coastal home decor, eclectic furniture and hand-blown glass Items, you can shop for truly unique, shore-inspired items that everyone will envy. For a fido-friendly place to shop try Paws & Pose. Catering to four-legged fashionistas this shop has everything your pet needs for a day on the beach or a night on the town and even offers beach-inspired photo sessions for memorable souvenirs.

Where to Stay It’s at Pier Village that visitors will find the Jersey Shore’s only authentic boutique luxury lifestyle hotel, Bunglaow. Where laid-back beach style meets sophisticated modern decor and architecture, Bungalow is the area’s premier oceanfront hotel that’s just steps away from beautiful endless beaches, find dining and ultimate retail boutiques. Oversized, dog-friendly king bedrooms feature-ing state-of-the-art electronics including flat screen televisions and iPod docking stations, warm fireplaces, kitchenettes and expansive window walls. Diverse looks in the 24 spacious guest rooms feature chic furnishing and original works of art and are complimented with unique names such as the Aloha, Pipeline and Kahuna. With trendy decor, lavish rooms and proximity to the area’s hot spots, it’s no wonder why celebrities like Ashley Tisdale are flocking to the hotel for some serious rest and relaxation.

Where to Eat Offering some of the area’s best cuisine, Pier Village is known for its mouthwatering restaurant choices. Old-time favorite Stewarts Root Beer offers a fun, 1950s style dining experience for visitors looking for a blast from the past, while Sirena Ristorante amps up the local bar and restaurant scene with contemporary Italian fare, fresh seafood plates and beautiful ocean views. The Wine Loft offers wine aficionados an expansive wine and liquor menu, paired with delicious small plate selections and is the perfect choice for a quiet
night out with friends. Perhaps, Pier Village’s most celebrated fine dining experience. Avenue Restaurant is a modern blend of a classic Parisian brasserie and the luxurious beaches of St. Tropez. The unity of breathtaking decor and delicious menu options, including favorites like Steak Au Poivre and Yellow Fin Tuna Nicoise, keeps patrons of the 5000-square foot gem coming back week after week.

“While Pier Village was designed as a year-round destination, it rises to a different level during the summer season,” says David Barry, President of Ironstate Development. “There’s just so much energy here as the full offering of beach activities, outdoor concerts and events, oceanfront dining, and boutique shopping is on display. We wanted to create something special here, to bring a new urban-ism and panache to the Shore, and the summer is a great time to really experience and appreciate it.”

Whether you’re looking for an ultimate private beach getaway, romantic hotel accommodations or the Shore’s best In shopping and dining, Pier Village in Long Branch has what you need when you need it to keep your summer calendar filled day in and day out. But, don’t take our word for it, make plans to visit today and see for yourself.

Pier Village, 1 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740 www.PierVillage.com

See the full clip here: Image Magazine – Jersey Shore’s Diamond in the Rough

Image Magazine: Summer Daze – Five Best Places to Spend Your Lazy Summer Days

BY LORI CHIAZZO
Image Magazine

FIVE BEST PLACES TO SPEND YOUR LAZY SUMMER DAYS

The days are heating up, the nights are staying warm, the summer season has finally arrived! It’s time to break out the sandals and barely-there wardrobes and start planning your perfect summer getaway. If you’re thinking about hopping on a plane to Punta Cana, think again. Stay true to your East Coast heritage and visit the area’s best summer season locations for fun, glamour and luxury.

ATLANTIC CITY
The area’s premier destination for gaming, world-class entertainment, spas and nightlife, Atlantic City is the place to be this summer season. Hit the beaches by day, shop the world-famous boardwalk at dusk and hit the hottest clubs like MURMUR at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and 40/40 Club by night. Pamper your body and relax your mind at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars, Atlantic City and walk the wood that inspired HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and land at Garden Pier, the arts and cultural center of the city. Year-round there is always something happening down in Atlantic City. This summer season you will visit the casinos, but stay for so much more.

THE HAMPTONS
If you want to escape New Jersey for a long weekend, there’s no better place to do it than the Hamptons. The glitz, the glamour, the occasional celebrity sighting;The Hamptons is the place for people to see and be seen. Guests can catch some rays on the pristine beaches at this legendary East Coast enclave, marvel at the rolling hills and explore fresh local tastes from neighborhood cafes to haute cuisine. Offering a modern-day take on small country town living, it’s the East Coasts best place to flock to spend lazy summer days and ultra-chic summer nights.

PRUDENTIAL CENTER
You don’t have to visit the shore this summer to have a good time. North Jersey’s Prudential Center has got a hot summer concert series lined up for anyone looking to let loose on the weekend without driving down the Parkway. Katy Perry, Sade, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Josh Groban and the American Idols Live are just a few of the great shows that The Rock has lined up. If you’re not getting your groove on, enjoy the summer’s hottest sports entertainment with the NBA 2011 Draft and the WNBA’s New York Liberty games. With state-of-the art facilities and delicious dining options, you’ll want to make this arena your second summer home.

PIER VILLAGE
An escape from the traditional Jersey Shore, Pier Village in Long Branch, NJ offers visitors a distinctive mix of sophistication and fun. An updated shore spot, this upscale community is a year-round hotspot that boasts upscale dining, chic retail boutiques, fine hospitality and a state-of-the-art housing development. Check out page 68 for more information on the spot everyone will want to visit this summer!

CAPE MAY
Probably one of the most relaxing shore escapes, Cape May is perfect for a romantic weekend or family getaway! Guys can play a round at Cape May International Golf Course while the ladies relax with pampering treatments at area spas like Cape May Day Spa and Holistic Center. Hit the smooth seas on one of the many whale watching tours to see some of the waters finest creatures up close and personal or stay on land and join a wine tasting tour at Cape May Winery to unwind from a stressful work week. Famous for quaint bed and breakfasts, guests will enjoy an escape from their modern lives with a visit to Victorian or Edwardian style boarding with a touch of British hospitality.

See the full clip here: Image Magazine – Summer Daze

Ironstate Plans Four Hotels

Ironstate Development, developer of the W Hoboken, plans hotels in New York, New Jersey, and Morocco.

Primarily a developer of multi-family residential projects, Ironstate’s success with the W Hoboken has been the catalyst for the new projects. The firm is pursuing developments in Harrison, NY; at Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NY; Long Branch, NJ; and with a Morocco-based partner, the W Marrakesh.

News of Ironstate’s plans were first reported in The New York Times.

Read the article in Hotel Business.