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The basics:

• The Elbie in Long Branch will bring 78 rental units, including layouts with private terraces or balconies
• 4,000 sf of ground-level retail space to support Lower Broadway activity
• Amenities include fitness center, clubroom, recording studio, landscaped outdoor terraces
• Transit-oriented location near Long Branch NJ Transit station, downtown, beachfront

The Lower Broadway section of Long Branch continues its evolution with another latest multifamily development underway.

Downeaster Development and TANTUM Real Estate announced breaking ground on The Elbie March 25. The project will bring 78 rental units to 305 Broadway.

Beyond the apartments, the Monmouth County development will also introduce 4,000 square feet of new retail space. It marks the latest in a series of developments underway within and to activate the redevelopment area.

The Elbie will rise across from Slochum Park and the recently renovated public library. The transit-oriented development will offer walkability to the Long Branch NJ Transit rail station, the downtown retail district, beachfront and other civic sites.

“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 Belmar-based Downeaster Development. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Mayor [John] Pallone and local leaders as The Elbie helps bring new energy and opportunities to this part of the city.”

Rotwein + Blake Associates of West Orange designed the four-story building. The structure transitions to three stories on Sixth Avenue to complement the residential neighborhood, the partners said.

Tantum Real Estate founding Principal Debra Tantleff said the plan aims to introduce a building to help advance the area’s transformation.

“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,” she said. “That balance will allow us to appeal to a broad mix of residents, from professionals and established households to downsizers seeking a convenient coastal lifestyle.”

New Jersey-based Melillo Bauer Carman | Landscape Architects is behind plans for The Elbie’s outdoor landscaped terrace. The spaces will include a barbecue station, fireplace, multiple seating areas and lawn with built-in planters.

Dynamic Engineering provides civil engineering services for the project, including an extensive stormwater management system. The team says the work should minimize effects on surrounding streets and infrastructure.

Looking forward

Long Branch Mayor John Pallone, local officials, municipal representatives and community leaders came out March 24 to commemorate the start.

The city adopted a redevelopment plan including the Lower Broadway area in 1996. The work aims to expand commercial activity outside of the summer season and connect inland areas to the busy beachfront. Its stated goal is to “bring about a compact and integrated ensemble of public and private places that support year-round uses related to living, working and recreation and visitation.”

In 2024, Kushner Cos. expanded its Long Branch footprint, looking to pivot its success at Pier Village. The team broke ground on a 299-unit project in the township’s Lower Broadway area that March. That $130 million mixed-used development will also bring a grocery store to the downtown.

Women-owned TANTUM from Jersey City has a particular focus on leveraging transportation infrastructure and downtown business corridors.

The Elbie will further contribute to Lower Broadway’s evolution through streetscape enhancements. The upgrades aim to help create a sense of place and foster connections between the property, Slochum Park and the surrounding area. Plans include an enhanced crosswalk with city seal, new landscaping and a clock tower element, according to The Elbie development team.

Said Pallone, “We’re excited to continue this partnership, and I’m looking forward to the ribbon cutting.” Initial occupancy at The Elbie is expected in late spring 2027.