OCEAN CITY — The days are numbered for the longtime eyesore at the 34th Street entrance to the island.
The HOW Group has scheduled a “Demolition Kickoff Event” for the Seaspray Condominiums at 3315 Bay Ave. on Monday, Sept. 28.
Mayor Jay Gillian is expected to deliver remarks at the event, which is set to start at 1 p.m. There will be a food truck, drinks and a ceremonial countdown. Neighbors and community members are invited to take part.
“Come celebrate progress, meet the developers, hear a few words from Mayor Jay Gillian and be part of a moment Ocean City has wanted to see for years,” states a flier announcing the event.
In December 2025, City Council cleared the way for a new four-story condominium project at the corner of Bay Avenue and 34th Street to replace the shuttered condominiums.
The Seaspray has been closed for more than two years because of structural problems at the aging building. It has been surrounded by chain-link fencing, making it an eyesore at one of the main entrances to the resort.
Its replacement will be a four-story multi-family residential development with a maximum of 43 units. Vehicle access will be via two driveways on Bay Avenue to the ground level, where parking will be under the building. Floors two through four will be comprised of two- and three-bedroom residential units and the overall height of the flat roof is 46.5 feet.
Vanderslice Group will be selling the units.
“I think it’s going to be the first piece in transforming the 34th Street gateway. The first thing you saw was a dilapidated building that had been deteriorating for a while. Now it will be one of the prettiest condominium buildings at the Jersey Shore,” said Disston Vanderslice of the Vanderslice Group, which will be selling the units.
He said the developer worked with the city to create a design that was universally acceptable. It will be the Philadelphia-area firm’s first project at the shore.
“The HOW Group took a great approach when meeting with the city to make something City Council, the mayor and the community wanted, so it’s a win-win-win for everybody,” Vanderslice said.
Demolition is expected to start the same day and construction should start over the winter and take more than a year.
Vanderslice said units will start at less than $900,000 and include top-notch amenities.
“The rooftop deck will be the first of its kind at the shore,” he said, noting it will include a putting green, sweeping bay views and “more amenities than any other complex around here.”
There also will be a swimming pool with cooking stations, loungers and tables, as well as a gym and dog-washing station in the complex.
Fourth Ward Councilman Dave Winslow said the project is another key component in beautifying one of the main entrances into the city.
“It’s going to be spectacular project when it’s done, a great improvement to that corner,” said Winslow, who has been working on streetscape improvements in the area.
He said in addition to the project, the city will be conducting roadway improvements and landscaping at the corner.
The corridor has seen vast improvements over the past several years, with a couple of miniature golf course opening.
Now the city is undertaking an $8 million renovation of Sandcastle Park, between 34th and 35th streets and West and Asbury avenues.
Set to be complete by next summer, plans include six tennis courts, two basketball courts, three pickleball courts, a playground that will be double the size of the existing one, a synthetic turf field for various uses, new bathrooms and a small outdoor stage.
“Years ago it was a sleepy entrance into the city and now it’s a major artery,” Winslow said, noting the roadway was elevated to curb flooding. “It’s all coming together.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
