Route 37 Motel Gets Approval For Major Renovation

The Ocean View Inn and Suites on Route 37 is in the final planning phases of a complete overhaul, including adding a second floor to portion that do not have one.

Renovations to the Ocean View Inn and Suites, formerly known as the Gilford Park Motel and soon to be known as the Ocean Gateway Inn, were approved at a Toms River Planning Board meeting last month. The final architechtural review was provided by the project architect Massimo Yezzi and attorney Joseph Coronato.

"Basically, we're going with a stucco look with cream colors and white trim. It will be not just for the new building but to the addition also,"  said Yezzi. "The existing building will be completely refurbished on the outside and the new building will obviously be complete with a new heating system, all around new roof shingles and the white trim."

"We're basically upgrading the entire property."

The new building being referenced by Yezzi is going to replace the current administration building, increasing the overall size of the motel by adding a complete second floor to the location, bringing more rooms to the 20 current ones available for guests. A high-quality vinyl rail system will go around the second story addition for the safety of guests.

Total costs for the entire project sit within the $1 million to $1.3 million dollar range provided by the property owner, Shante Petel.

"Obviously, we're going to be refinishing the inside and existing rooms are going to be refinished and repainted," said Yezzi. "As a whole, this hotel is beyond its life cycle."

The exterior design of the buildings will attempt to make that particular side of Route 37 East look more aesthetically pleasing, as the plans were made to coordinate with the newer buildings across the street.

"Taking out those front buildings is going to clean up the place and even though it's an old building, by the time it goes up it will look like a brand new motel," said Coronato. "I know that it was the interest of both the mayor and council of years past to improve the Route 37 corridor and we're hopeful this application furthers that idea."

A construction permit has been awarded to the project and construction is set to begin within the next two to four weeks.