42 — April 2026 — Owners, Developers & Managers — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
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O wners , D evelopers & M anagers
Mixed-use project to spur investment along key stretch of Long Branch’s Broadway Corridor Downeaster Development & TANTUM Real Estate break ground on The Elbie Long Branch
ONG BRANCH, NJ — Downeaster Develop- ment and TANTUM Real Estate broke ground on The Elbie, a 78-unit rental community that will bring re- fined, boutique-scale living and neighborhood-serving retail to 305 Broadway in Long Branch. The project is poised to activate a key section of the Lower Broadway Corridor, supporting the City’s ongoing vision for the area while connecting the downtown to the beachfront. Local officials, including Long Branch Mayor John Pallone and other municipal representatives and commu - nity leaders, joined develop - ment principals at a ceremonial groundbreaking on March 24th. Located directly across from Slochum Park and the city’s recently renovated public li - brary, The Elbie will introduce a thoughtfully designed mixed- use building complemented by Long Branch’s civic center, downtown retail district, and the beachfront. “Our goal was to design a building that helps shape the neighborhood and advance the area’s transformation,” said Debra Tantleff , founding principal of TANTUM Real Es - tate. “The Elbie occupies a mid - dle ground that’s rare today, L UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Blue Rock Construction announced the completion of the Whole Foods Market KMD1 Culinary Kitchen in Upper Marlboro, MD, marking another successful delivery for a valued national partner. The 86,400 s/f project trans - formed an existing warehouse into a modern, large-format culinary kitchen designed to support food preparation, pack - aging, and distribution. Construction was completed within a 14-month schedule and represents Blue Rock’s second major kitchen facility for Whole Foods Market, fol - lowing the successful delivery of the Long Island City, NY, location in July 2024. Meeting the Challenge Despite challenges that in - cluded local utility delays and late evaporator shipments, the project team remained proac- tive and solutions-driven, keep - ing the work moving forward
Rotwein + Blake Associates ©
TANTUM Real Estate ©
Shown from left: Debra Tantleff, founding principal of TANTUM Real Estate; James Taylor, CEO of Downeaster Development; Long Branch Mayor John Pallone; Long Branch Councilman Bill Dangler; and Charles Shirley, business administrator.
The Elbie
shipping and receiving offices with a truckers’ lounge and restroom, and expanded park - ing. The project also required structural roof enhancements to support HVAC units and gas coolers, along with major utility upgrades, including a second main electrical service, increased gas capacity, and specialty sys - tems for kitchen equipment. Strengthening Partnerships Blue Rock oversaw Amazon’s kitchen equipment installation and completed final system con - nections, along with modern upgrades to HVAC, lighting, power, fire alarm, plumbing, and sprinkler systems. The successful completion of the KMD1 Culinary Kitchen strengthens Blue Rock Con - struction’s growing relation - ship with Whole Foods Market and underscores the firm’s ability to deliver complex fa - cilities through collaboration, planning, and execution. MAREJ the corridor. Mayor Pallone pointed out the meaningful community enhancements that Downeas - ter and TANTUM have in - cluded in the project at the city’s request as an example of the “special partnership” that exists between the city and the developers. “I think that we’re together creating what’s going to be a transformative neighborhood here with new public spaces and amenities, and this project is an important part of that process,” Pallone said. “We’re excited to continue this partnership, and I’m looking forward to the ribbon cutting.” MAREJ
anticipated in late spring 2027. The development is posi - tioned within a section of the Broadway corridor that city leaders have identified as a pri - ority for both public and private investment and activation. As part of the project, Downeas - ter and TANTUM will deliver streetscape enhancements to reinforce the connection between The Elbie, Slochum Park, and surrounding civic spaces. Planned improvements include an enhanced crosswalk featuring the city seal, new landscaping, and a distinctive clock tower element at the park corner, all designed to create a stronger sense of place along
a boutique-scale community large enough to offer meaning - ful amenities but still intimate in feel. That balance will allow us to appeal to a broad mix of residents, from professionals and established households to downsizers seeking a conve - nient coastal lifestyle.” Designed by Rotwein + Blake Associates , the four- story building, which transi - tions to three stories along Sixth Avenue to complement the surrounding residential neighborhood, will feature 78 one- and two-bedroom homes, with a limited number of one- bedroom-plus-den layouts. Select residences will offer
private terraces or balconies. An outdoor landscaped ter - race envisioned by Melillo Bauer Carman | Land- scape Architects will offer a barbecue station, a fireplace, and multiple seating areas. The project will also provide 4,000 s/f of ground-floor retail, along with covered podium and surface parking. Civil engineering services by Dynamic Engineering include the design of an ex - tensive stormwater manage - ment system to minimize im - pact on surrounding streets and infrastructure. Construction is now under - way, with initial occupancy
Blue Rock Construction delivers culinary kitchen for Whole Foods Market in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Whole Foods Market KMD1 Culinary Kitchen in Upper Marlboro, MD
and aligned with Whole Foods’ operational goals. One of the project’s biggest milestones came when the team achieved a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) just 5½ weeks after power was energized, well ahead of the original eight-week target.
Reaching this benchmark early allowed Whole Foods Market to occupy the facility in advance of the holiday season. Key Features The facility includes 10,000 s/f of office space with break - rooms, lockers, meeting rooms, a mother’s room, a reception
area, and restrooms. It also features a high-tech MDF room and refrigeration and insulated metal panel (IMP) installa - tions for more than 30 rooms supporting food preparation, packaging, and distribution. Additional elements include a fully outfitted hot kitchen,
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