The Inkwell Lofts at 665 2nd Ave. in Long Branch — Courtesy: Inspired by Somerset Development
By Joshua Burd
Inspired by Somerset Development has unveiled a boutique condominium building in Long Branch after redeveloping the site of an iconic but shuttered business downtown.
Known as The Inkwell Lofts, the property at 665 2nd Ave. includes 22 homes and amenities in a location just a block from Ocean Avenue and the city’s coastline. It also has a ground-floor, 800-square-foot café by local operator Almost Home, a nod to the famed Inkwell Coffee House that occupied the site before closing in May 2022.
Pricing for remaining homes starts at $950,000, with select premium homes priced up to $1.1 million, according to a news release. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is the property’s sales and marketing agent.
“We’re proud to bring The Inkwell Lofts to life in a way that honors the property’s history while contributing to Long Branch’s continued growth,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and founder of Inspired by Somerset Development. “With strong demand for high-quality residences near the beach, delivering the building ahead of summer allows homeowners to immediately enjoy everything the city has to offer.”
Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, with interiors by Paola Zamudio of npz studio+, The Inkwell Lofts has a mix of one- and two-bedroom homes, the news release said. As part of its upscale design, interior spaces incorporate organic elements, light tones and natural finishes to create what the developer described as a calm, inviting atmosphere that reflects the seaside setting.
The three-story building has a rooftop terrace with views of the Atlantic Ocean, part of an expansive outdoor lounge and dining area that is anchored by a fully equipped summer kitchen, along with a pergola with a TV. The rooftop and streetscape also have integrated greenery and landscape architecture by Bohler Engineering, while select homes have exclusive access to an additional green space courtyard.
The building also has an adjacent indoor parking garage available to residents.
“The Inkwell Lofts presents a rare opportunity to own a newly built, move-in-ready residence that offers lock-and-leave ease in an exceptionally located, charming beachside neighborhood,” said Matthew Drennan, sales director at The Inkwell Lofts. “A few-minute drive from the Long Branch train station with a direct route to and from NYC, getting here is convenient, and just a short walk puts you on the sand.”
The firm added that, over the past decade, Long Branch has evolved from a quiet beach town to a coveted destination, welcoming a breadth of new restaurants, culture and community energy. The Inkwell Lofts is among the latest additions to the city’s fast-growing stock of luxury housing, which has expanded in recent years to its historic downtown.
