The mission to revive the historic Asbury Convention Hall got some good news this week when the state’s Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) awarded the project a $75 million tax credit.
The credits are being awarded through the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion Program (CAFE). Credits go to Madison Asbury Retail—a subsidiary of Madison Marquette, the complex’s developer/owner.
A Fixture of the Boardwalk
It’s all part of a larger, $130 million restoration project that will include the entire complex: Convention Hall, the Grand Arcade, and Paramount Theater.
Convention Hall and Paramount Theater have been dormant since closing in 2021 due to structural issues. The building has been a fixture of the Asbury Park Boardwalk for 97 years, first opened in 1929.
The building was designed by Whitney Warren and Charles D. Wetmore—the same architects behind New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The decades following its completion saw many major acts, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Janis Joplin, according to NJ.com.
Despite slowing down in the 21st century, Convention Hall still saw its fair share of big names throughout the 2000s, including Bob Dylan, Bouncing Souls, Jimmy Eat World, and 50 Cent.
The goal: get Convention Hall back to those glory days.
What Restoration Includes
The restoration will include a full structural, mechanical, and architectural overhaul to the building. Project leaders are being careful not to touch the building’s historical charm—all interior and exterior restoration will follow historic preservation standards.
While the vintage feel will remain untouched, many pieces of the structure have been targeted for modernization, including marquee, lobbies, mezzanines, storefronts, and performance spaces. The venue will also undergo ADA upgrades to make it more accessible.
Construction first began in April of this year, and is expected to take three years. It’s all building toward reopening as a year-round performing arts center.
“This CAFE award will ensure that Asbury Park remains a cultural heartbeat of the state for generations to come,” said Gary Mottola, president of Madison Marquette Asbury, according to ROI-NJ.
The credit, awarded by NJEDA, requires Madison to enter a compliance agreement, giving the state power to reduce, rescind, or recapture the tax credits if certain obligations aren’t met.
With the help of a new $75 million tax credit, Asbury Park’s historic Convention Hall is set to reopen in approximately three years as an all-encompassing venue—just in time for the building’s 100th birthday.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
