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Work is underway in Long Branch to transform the site of the former Inkwell Coffee House into a mixed-use apartment and retail building, located just one block from the beach.

Inspired by Somerset Development announced the milestone April 25. Upon completion, which is expected by summer 2024, the three-story property at the corner of Second Avenue and New Court will feature 22 units.

With 46,550 square feet in total, the mix of one- and two-bedroom market rate apartments with private balconies will include 800 square feet of street-level retail, an indoor parking garage with electric vehicle charging stations and a private roof deck for residents.

Additional parking will be available across the street, Inspired said, offering extra spots for residents and retail patrons.

Following the closure of the Inkwell in 2022, a spot frequented by such Garden State greats as Kevin Smith and Bruce Springsteen over its history, owner Anthony Esposito approached Inspired about acquiring the property.

“We recognize this site’s storied history as a local landmark for Long Branch and the Jersey Shore, and are working carefully with the township and community members to ensure we honor its past while we work toward a new and successful future,” Ralph Zucker, CEO and founder of Inspired by Somerset Development, said in a statement.

The firm said it filed redevelopment plans and secured approvals from the Long Branch Planning Board in December 2022. New Jersey-based Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners are handling the project’s design and currently working on construction documents for the property.

“We are excited to begin construction on this new building, which will help meet the significant demand for high-quality housing in the area while fitting seamlessly into the existing fabric of Long Branch’s West End and adding a new sense of vibrancy to this already dynamic area,” Zucker added.

“While we are sad to say goodbye to such a beloved building, we are nonetheless heartened that it will begin a new chapter as an integral part of downtown Long Branch,” Esposito commented. “We are happy to partner with a highly respected and accomplished local developer in Inspired by Somerset Development, which understands not just how to create a successful building, but a property that will complement the area’s existing character and add to its status as one of the most vibrant and desirable destinations on the Jersey Shore.”

Inspired – which counts Bell Works in Holmdel among its accomplishments – is a leading real estate developer with a focus on large-scale, transit-oriented and brownfield redevelopment projects. Elsewhere down the Shore, it was announced last year that Inspired would enter Asbury Park for the first time – as part of a $300 million effort led by iStar – which would expand its residential portfolio with a development along 5th Avenue, the same street where Wonder Bar is located.

Building off of its success and experience, the company recently launched a Third-Party Buildout and Tenant Services business, which you can learn more about here.