Camp Osborn was a sleepy summer retreat on three acres of prime Jersey Shore beachfront between Mantoloking and Normandy Beach for decades. When Superstorm Sandy began on October 22nd, 2012, it changed everything, hitting New Jersey on October 29th. What wasn’t destroyed by the rain and storm surge was consumed by fire when gas lines ruptured. When the inferno was finally extinguished, there was almost nothing left. Sixty homes were lost and the land remained vacant for over a decade while residents and the town wrangled with the legal battles and architectural challenges of rebuilding the close-knit community.
Earlier this summer, long-time residents and newcomers began returning to their brand new homes at Osborn Dunes at South Mantoloking. The Walters development company broke ground in the fall of 2022, since then half are finished, and all 67 oceanside residences are slated to be completed before Memorial Day Weekend 2025.
All the homes at Osborn Dunes are designed to meet FEMA’s flood guidelines and every residence has been built above the floodplain. At 1,033 square feet, the duplexes are twice the size of the Camp Osborn bungalows. The two-story houses were constructed to withstand severe weather conditions and for living on the beach year-round.
The community board chose Walters to restore and rebuild because the award-winning, Barnegat-based developer has expertise in designing affordable, sustainable homes and extensive experience in building in flood-prone coastal areas.
“We worked closely with each homeowner to manage their individual budgets and made every effort to exceed their expectations with the final product,” said Austin Bocchicchio, sales manager with Walters. “Helping people through the recovery process is not just about rebuilding more sustainable homes; it’s also about fostering community spirit and getting people back to the beach they love.”
Tony and Loretta Swanveld’s bungalow had been in the family for 45 years. They were devastated when it was destroyed by Sandy. After a long twelve years they moved into Osborn Dunes at South Mantoloking right before Memorial Day Weekend this year. “Now we have a beautiful home. It’s beyond surreal,” raved Tony.
