OCEAN CITY — Just two blocks from the boardwalk, the first-floor condominium at 1721 Central Ave. is just steps away from the large beaches in the Central neighborhood of Ocean City.
The island is one of the most popular shore resorts on the East Coast, featuring an oceanfront boardwalk filled with hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment venues, as well as miles and miles of pristine beaches.
A great location means more than beachfront or bayfront on this 8-mile-long island — there are 10 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics.
The beach and boardwalk — 2.5 miles of oceanfront entertainment, restaurants, thrill rides and souvenir shops — get most of the attention in this seaside resort, but the island has much more to offer.
An award-winning downtown stretches from Sixth to 14th streets along Asbury Avenue and has expanded onto other nearby streets, offering more than 100 shops and cafes.
There’s also the popular watersports district around Third Street on Bay Avenue, where the brave can rent powerboats, go parasailing, join the crew of a pirate ship and take a kayak tour of the back bays. Private and party boat fishing tours are also available.
The Gardens is popular with many for its slow pace, huge beaches and winding, pedestrian-friendly streets. The Riviera, stretching from 16th to 23rd streets along Great Egg Harbor Bay, is a boater’s paradise with many Mediterranean-style homes set right on inland lagoons. The Central neighborhood is bustling with businesses both downtown and on the boardwalk, while the Northend contains many of the island’s historic homes. The Southend is narrow with fewer homes and room to stretch out, while Merion Park and OC Home feature wetlands and wildlife along with wonderful sunset views. The Goldcoast has some of the best beachfront homes on the island, set behind a mighty system of dunes for protection.
Also nearby is the popular Ocean City Community Center, offering sports, art, history and a full-service library.
Featuring tan cedar-impression siding with white trim, the duplex is on the ocean side of Central Avenue, backing onto the alley where there is room for multiple cars under the house.
A wide, covered porch overlooks the street, providing a shady spot to unwind with a drink after a long day on the beach — before heading out to the boardwalk for a night of entertainment. Underneath is plenty of storage space for kayaks, surfboards and beach chairs.
A path leading to the parking area passes an enclosed outside shower and the sheltered stairwell that leads up to both units.
The door sports an oval leaded-glass window and opens into a foyer area where the narrow-plank hardwood flooring clearly is original. Shadow-box wainscoting adds a touch of elegance throughout the home.
“As you enter the unit, you will find a step-friendly interior situated all on one level,” listing agent Stephen Hoffman said.
An open great room is to the left, where light flows through multiple windows and glass doors facing the front.
The sitting area is to the left, where a sofa and several armchairs are arranged around a gas fireplace with a wood mantel.
A glass door with two side panels opens onto the front porch, where there is plenty of space for dining, playing games and relaxing. Plantation shutters create privacy.
“The front porch might be the best room of the house with its ample size and morning shade,” Hoffman said.
A chandelier hangs from the ceiling above the table in the front corner, just inside a curved bay of windows overlooking Central Avenue.
Just steps away, overflow seating is providing at the center island in the kitchen.
White cabinets with a granite countertop and backsplash run along two walls, where appliances include a two-door refrigerator with a freezer drawer and a dishwasher to the side of the two-basin stainless steel sink. Tile flooring makes for easy cleanup.
A hall leads back to four spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms, while a powder room is conveniently located just past the foyer.
Most of the home has a nautical flair with blue walls topping the white wainscoting. The motif is repeated in two of the bedrooms, while each of the other two has a distinct color.
A laundry closet at the end of the hall divides the back two bedrooms.
On the right, the third bedroom, painted a pretty peach, has a sliding glass door opening onto the covered rear porch.
On the left, featuring bright green walls, the primary bedroom also has access to the rear porch, as well as a full bathroom with a dual-sink vanity, long mirror and fiberglass shower.
Out back, there is a large storage area sheltered beneath the home. Recent upgrades include a roof (2019), new HVAC system (2024) and water heater (2025).
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
