Long Branch Planning Board Approves Luxury Oceanfront Condominiums

LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Dec. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- In another major step in this city's ongoing redevelopment, the Planning Board granted approval for South Beach at Long Branch, a luxury oceanfront condominium project to be developed by FEM Real Estate LLC based in Montville, New Jersey. The project, approved on December 3, will add 47 two-and three-bedroom units at the southernmost point of the city's Beachfront South redevelopment area, according to Mimi Feliciano, FEM's Chief Executive Officer and Founder.

Inspired by the luxury of South Beach, Miami, the property was designed by architect James Monteforte of Monteforte Architectural Studios based in Ocean Township. The property is situated two blocks from Pier Village, a retail mixed-use center, and consists of 1.8 acres between Ocean Ave. and Ocean Blvd., at the intersection of North Bath Ave.

Two eight-story tiered towers are planned with units ranging from approximately 1,400 to 2,359-square-feet. "The homes will offer direct views of the ocean, and some will include all glass walls and three-sided panoramas from sunrise to sunset," said Feliciano, whose husband, Edwin, will serve as the project's broker. Large private outdoor living areas have been incorporated including oversized decks, some with fire pits, averaging from 214 to 1,748-square-feet. A number of ground-floor condos also will have their own private backyards.

Amenities also will cater to outdoor living with an infinity pool winding throughout the property, accented with a waterfall, sandy areas and raised sun decks. High-end landscaping will provide a tropical Miami Beach feel with planned Windmill Palm Trees, a salt-water tolerant palm that is adaptable for typical northeast weather conditions.

"The ground height of South Beach at Long Branch is approximately 25 feet above sea level, which will maximize views and is a real plus," said Feliciano. "In addition, because Long Branch's development requirements are the same as the state's Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA), the CAFRA process will be expedited."

A Cooperative Effort Between Long Branch and FEM

The development of South Beach at Long Branch is the result of the acquisition and assemblage of six parcels in total by FEM, three owned by the City, one cleared lot and two sites with single-family residences that will be demolished. Construction is slated to begin in the spring/summer of 2015.

Feliciano credits Long Branch administrator Howard H. Woolley, Jr. and his redevelopment committee for their role in making South Beach a reality. "They were all instrumental in the design of this project," she said. "We had the vision, and the town provided input and worked with us to make it happen. We are very grateful for their support."

FEM owns, manages and invests in commercial real estate on the East Coast and has been credited with bringing boutique-style sub-acute care to the healthcare field. Mimi Feliciano is from a second generation real estate development family and has been working in real estate for 28 years with her husband. They operated Lincoln Park Healthcare, a 35-acre, 706-bed campus in Lincoln Park, N.J., and built two boutique-style, state-of-the-art rehabilitation centers at that location called JDT Medical Rehab and JDT Villas, named in memory of Mimi Feliciano's parents. Dedicated philanthropists, the couple also support a number of charities and civic causes including Montclair State University where, in 2012, they established the Mimi and Edwin Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship within the School of Business.

"We like to bring innovation and boutique luxury to our projects, and we're doing it again with South Beach at Long Branch," Mimi Feliciano said. "We sold our Lincoln Park properties two years ago and decided to build here in Long Branch because we loved the area and had a vision for a modern, edgy luxurious lifestyle like South Beach."  The couple has owned a home in Beachfront North in Long Branch for nearly four years.

"South Beach at Long Branch occupies an amazing Central Jersey Shore location," Edwin Feliciano added. "It is a short walk to Pier Village but in a private residential location; minutes from Exit 105 on the Garden State Parkway; two blocks from the train station and access to NYC busses with ferry stops nearby. At the same time, the Monmouth County lifestyle here is year-round with beautiful permanent and second-home residences, great shopping, walkable streets and a diversity of restaurants, recreation and entertainment. It is really one of the most remarkable, accessible regions along the Jersey Shore, and we are looking forward to sharing it with our new neighbors at South Beach."