OCEAN CITY — The narrow-plank original hardwood flooring, covered in some rooms by carpeting, is evidence of the historic origin of the home at 400 First St., Unit C.
Beyond that, everything from kitchen to bathrooms and bedrooms has been modernized to meet the standards that savvy homebuyers are seeking in their island homes.
The property is at the corner of First Street and Asbury Avenue in the Northend neighborhood, where many of the island’s historic homes are located.
It’s heavily residential but there are many mom-and-pop shops and corner cafes that have been traditional stops for families for generations.
Extending from North Street to Sixth Street, the Northend is an eclectic blend of single-family, duplex and triplex properties. The boardwalk begins its 2½-mile span here.
The 14-story Gardens Plaza, the tallest structure on the island, sits on the Boardwalk in the very center of the Northend. In addition, it contains the Historic District, from Third to Eighth streets and Ocean Avenue to Central Avenue. Designated as such by Ocean City’s Historic Preservation Commission, the district seeks to maintain the look and feel of classic island architecture.
Known as The Desmond, the blue-sided home with white trim has a handsome exterior with mulched beds and grass wrapping around two dies.
A main entrance off First Street opens into a foyer with access to all six condominiums. There’s also a set of wooden stairs along the side that ascends to a porch with access to units C and D down a long hall with shadow-box wainscoting.
Through this rear entrance is a mud room with a washer and dryer just off the kitchen.
Speaking of modern amenities, the kitchen shines with its abundant white wood cabinets topped by marble countertops and backed by a robin’s egg-blue tile backsplash.
Stainless-steel Samsung appliances include a two-door refrigerator with freezer drawer, a five-burner gas range/oven with a microwave above and a dishwasher to the right of the stainless sink.
A small table sits just inside the window facing Asbury Avenue, while another, larger dining area is just around the corner off the living room.
Featuring a large sectional sofa (the home is being sold fully furnished) and wood plank walls from floor to ceiling, the living room is spacious and made to feel even more so by its 9-foot-high ceiling and open layout.
A hall off the right leads to a full bathroom with wood plank walls, a fiberglass shower with a bifold glass door and a porcelain sink atop a wood vanity.
Moving toward the front of the house, a hall shoots off to the left where a linen closet is outside the second bathroom, which features a herringbone tile floor, subway tile halfway up the walls, a long vanity with dual sinks and a porcelain tub with tiled walls and a curtain.
The first of the three bedrooms has a king-size bed, closet with double swinging doors and a curved alcove of windows overlooking Asbury Avenue.
There are two more bedrooms, one with bunkbeds off the other, which has a Murphy bed so could be used as another sitting room or office.
Exterior upgrades include a newer foundation, newer roof, vinyl siding, shared outdoor shower and one dedicated parking spot.
Inside, the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical wiring and windows have all been updated.
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 property is listed for $715,000 with Ellen McGonigle of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors. Call (609) 602-7507 or email ellenocnj@comcast.net for more information or to set up an appointment to see this wonderful home.