OCEAN CITY — Which home on the island comes with a private beach? The one at 5601 Central Ave., where it feels like summer all year long at this oceanfront oasis.
The 2,062-square-foot first-floor condominium was designed to take advantage of its beachfront location, with multiple windows overlooking the ocean from the great room and primary bedroom — making the home one of the few on the island where it’s possible to see the sea from bed.
“This fantastic property is one of my favorites on the island because of the location of the primary bedroom,” listing agent Joe Sheppard said. “There are few places where you can lie in bed and see the waves.”
Ocean City is one of the most popular shore resorts on the East Coast, featuring a 2.5-mile-long oceanfront boardwalk filled with hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment venues, as well as miles and miles of pristine beaches. There also is an award-winning downtown business district centered on Asbury Avenue and a watersports district around Third Street on Bay Avenue.
The Southend neighborhood, from 34th to 59th streets, is narrow with fewer homes and businesses than the center of the island, which makes it the perfect getaway.
Everything needed for a beach vacation is located on the 34th Street business corridor or scattered throughout the neighborhood at mom-and-pop shops. Even closer are a couple of the island’s best seafood restaurants, an ice cream parlor and sub shop.
Ocean Drive (55th Street) leads south to Strathmere and Sea Isle City, while the Garden State Parkway is just across the 34th Street bridge in Upper Township.
What makes the Southend such a terrific location is its proximity to the natural world — Corsons Inlet State Park just a couple of blocks away — while still being close enough to enjoy the downtown, boardwalk and everything else that make Ocean City America’s Greatest Family Resort.
The home is on the corner, with the main entrance off 56th Street.
A door opens onto a common foyer with a stairwell rising alongside multiple windows, allowing natural light to flow in and brighten the ascent. Featuring wood-impression tile flooring and tile halfway up the walls, the foyer offers access to the one-car garage, beach shower and several storage rooms. Another storage room is inside the garage.
Atop the first flight of stairs, a door with keypad entry opens to reveal an open, bright living room to the left. Beyond the tall, triple casement window, the sand and surf beckon. A sliding glass door opens onto the cozy covered back porch that wraps around the side. Steps off the porch descend to the private beach just inside the bulkhead. A beach path is just at the end of 56th Street.
The tiled room has a two-sided gas fireplace with a stacked-stone front and wood mantel. A flat-screen television is snug in a built-in entertainment center to the right of the fireplace, while two sofas and a cushy chair are arranged for the best view.
A chest-high wall frames the raised dining room and kitchen to the right, while a door straight ahead leads into the primary bedroom.
The hall leads past the door to a second bedroom, which shares a Jack-and Jill-bathroom with the primary bedroom, on its way to the steps up to the open kitchen and dining area.
While the lower level is fantastic for its view and simple, clean design, this area is open, spacious and finely appointed.
There is abundant seating, with eight spots at the main dining table in the nook overlooking the living room, three stools at the island and four more at the overflow table along the back wall.
The granite-topped island, which somewhat resembles Idaho, has two beverage drawers in the end closets to the living room, making it convenient for all.
Solid-wood cabinets with a granite countertop and glass tile backsplash line two walls. Stainless-steel GE appliances include a five-burner gas range/oven with a microwave above, two-door refrigerator with bottom freezer drawer and dishwasher to the right of the stainless-steel sink.
Three wide casement windows provide natural light, a cooling sea breeze and view of the ocean just a clam shell’s throw away.
Just off the kitchen, the laundry room has a full-size top-load washer and dryer and shelves.
Not only does the primary bedroom have an ocean view through a tall triple window, but it also has the flip side of the fireplace, a private door to the back porch and a closet with double bi-fold mirrored doors. Windows with plantation shutters flank the king-size bed, which rests atop wall-to-wall carpeting.
The bathroom has a tiled shower with a glass enclosure, tile floor, 5-foot-tall bead board wainscoting and vanity.
The second bedrooms also has a king-size bed but with the ocean view, it’s clear which one is better.
Two more bedrooms are located on the street side of the house, along with a full bathroom and powder room just off the dining area.
Despite having twin beds, the back left bedroom is no children’s room with more tall wainscoting and handsomely trimmed windows and doors.
The final bedroom also has twin beds atop wall-to-wall carpeting but includes a bonus private deck on the 56th Street side.
