A two-story property along one of the city’s main roads is set to be expanded and revitalized as part of a plan set to see heavy construction during the summer months.
While large beachfront developments like Asbury Ocean Club might get all the headlines, lots of smaller signs of revival have been popping up around Asbury Park as well. One of those projects is at 724 Cookman Street, where Union City-based Studio One Architects has designed an overhaul that will expand the building’s footprint both horizontally and vertically.
Formerly home to a pawnbroker, the property is owned by C&C Cookman Development LLC. Approvals for the development were granted in May last year and Asbury Park-based Allgood Builders Company pulled permits for the project last week. Construction is slated to begin on July 13th.
The project, which will be called The Saxony, will rise just over 49 feet from the current 32-foot height. The existing two-story building will be reconstructed and two new floors will be added on top of a steel frame. The structure will then be expanded over to an adjacent lot that will house the stairs, elevator, and portions of the new apartments.
Besides the retail space and a lobby on the ground floor, a total of nine rental apartments make up the remainder of the property. Six of the units will sport two bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms, while the other three will feature one bedroom and 1 ½ bathrooms.
Architect Robert Feinstein describes the units as “higher-end residences” that are a block from the city’s train station. The completed project strives to recreate the look of the original building while adding new elements of glazed bricks, metal panels, and a baby blue brickface from a California manufacturer.
The project will add another revitalized storefront to Cookman Avenue and should finish up construction sometime during 2021.
