One of Monmouth County’s most prominent beach towns will be getting a new rental community along its Lower Broadway corridor as The Elbie has begun construction in Long Branch.
Downeaster Development and TANTUM Real Estate recently broke ground on the 78-unit rental community that aims to bring refined, boutique-scale living and neighborhood-serving retail to 305 Broadway. Local officials joined development principals at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the property, which is located directly across from Slochum Park and the city’s recently renovated public library.
“We’re excited to begin construction on a community that reflects both the character and momentum of downtown Long Branch,” said James Taylor, founder and CEO of Downeaster Development. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Mayor Pallone and local leaders as The Elbie helps bring new energy and opportunities to this part of the city.”
Designed by Rotwein + Blake Associates, the four-story building will transition to three stories along Sixth Avenue to complement the surrounding residential neighborhood. Residences in the future complex will feature one- and two-bedroom units, with select homes offering private terraces.
Residents will also enjoy approximately 8,000 square feet of interior amenities and social spaces designed to support everyday living and remote work. The ground-floor lobby will feature a lounge, library, and work-from-home areas, with individual pods for privacy alongside open collaborative spaces.
Second-floor amenities will include a fitness center, clubroom, game room, and an I-Suite recording and podcast studio. An outdoor landscaped terrace envisioned by Melillo Bauer Carman | Landscape Architects will offer a barbecue station, a fireplace, and multiple seating areas complemented by a lawn and raised built-in planters.
“Our goal was to design a building that helps shape the neighborhood and advance the area’s transformation,” said Debra Tantleff, founding principal of TANTUM Real Estate. “The Elbie occupies a middle ground that’s rare today, a boutique-scale community large enough to offer meaningful amenities but still intimate in feel.”
The project will also provide approximately 4,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, a covered podium, and surface parking. An extensive stormwater management system to minimize impact on surrounding streets and infrastructure is included in the development.
Additionally, Downeaster and TANTUM will deliver streetscape enhancements as part of the construction, including a crosswalk featuring the city seal, new landscaping, and a distinctive clock tower at the park corner.
Mayor Pallone pointed out the meaningful community enhancements the companies have included at the city’s request, as an example of the “special partnership” between the city and the developers. Initial occupancy of the building is anticipated in late spring 2027.
Long Branch has become one of the Jersey Shore’s bigger development hotspots in recent years. Kusher Companies broke ground on a 299-unit project two years ago, while the Atlantic Club is adding 132 new units to the town’s beachfront.
