Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, The Inkwell Lofts will bring 22 high-end condominiums to the former site of the famed Inkwell Coffee House at Second Avenue and New Court in Long Branch. — Renderings courtesy: Inspired by Somerset Development
By Joshua Burd
Inspired by Somerset Development is bringing another Jersey Shore condominium project to market, launching sales at a collection of 22 homes in downtown Long Branch.
The firm said the property, The Inkwell Lofts, is slated for completion this fall and would likely begin move-ins shortly after. The 46,550-square-foot building is now taking shape at the corner of Second Avenue and New Court, where residents will be one block from Long Branch’s Ocean Avenue and other amenities in the historic city.
Designed by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners, the project is transforming the former site of the famed Inkwell Coffee House that was a local institution and a frequent stop for the likes of Bruce Springsteen. The project will also have landscape architecture by Bohler Engineering and interior design by Paola Zamudio of npz studio+, while Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group is leading sales and marketing.
“We’re excited to honor the rich history of this site while contributing to the continued growth of Long Branch,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and founder of Inspired by Somerset Development. “The demand for high-quality residences near the beach has never been stronger, and this project will not only meet that need but also complement the character of Long Branch’s West End. We look forward to bringing new energy to this dynamic neighborhood and supporting its evolution as a vibrant beachfront destination.”
The three-story Inkwell Lofts will include a mix of one-bedroom-plus-den and two-bedroom layouts, some with dens, with prices ranging from $830,000 to $1.1 million. Buyers of the luxury condos will have access to a landscaped courtyard, a rooftop with an outdoor kitchen and ocean views and an indoor parking garage equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, while there will be 800 square feet of ground-floor retail space with an upscale reimagining of the famed Inkwell Coffee House.
The developer added that npz studio+’s design will incorporate light colors, natural finishes and organic elements to create calm, inviting spaces that complement the development’s prime beachside location.
“With a limited number of new developments in Long Branch, The Inkwell Lofts presents a rare opportunity to own a newly built, move-in-ready home in a well-established beachside neighborhood,” said Matthew Drennan, sales director at The Inkwell Lofts. “Over the past decade, the city has grown tremendously, welcoming a breadth of new restaurants, culture and community energy. The Inkwell complements this growth by offering buyers a distinctive residential option in one of Long Branch’s most vibrant areas. We’ve already seen strong pre-sales interest and look forward to seeing this project come to fruition soon.”
The news follows Inspired’s launch last week of LIDO Asbury Park, a new 112-unit, oceanfront condo project just up the coast, where it expects the first closings to take place in 2027. Located at 1201 Ocean Ave., the property will have floorplans ranging from 970 to more than 3,800 square feet, with prices starting at $825,000, while select homes will be listed for more than $8 million.
Inspired breaks ground on 22 apartments at ex-coffee house site in Long Branch
