Atlantic City is located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Atlantic City is world renowned for its gaming industry, entertainment, nightlife and, of course, the boardwalk! The ultimate destination for gamblers, Atlantic City real estate offers a wide variety of casinos, spas, golfing, shopping, fishing and other water sports.
ACES Provides Direct Train Service from New York City to Atlantic City! As of February 6th, you can take a ride aboard the Atlantic City Express Services train to get from Atlantic City to New York City's Penn Station with only one brief stop in Newark from Friday through Sunday every weekend.
Find out how the demolition of Atlantic City's Sands Casino will pave the way for the transformation of the boardwalk and re-development of Atlantic City!
The Lenni-Lenape Indians, the original residents of the Atlantic City area, used to travel from mainland New Jersey to Absecon Island (where Atlantic City real estate is located) every summer. Thomas Budd was the first recorded owner of the island. For approximately 100 years, Indians, settlers and hunters alike would traverse the island.
In 1785, the first permanent residential structure was constructed in what is now Atlantic City. In 1838, a tavern, Aunt Millie's Boarding House, was granted license to operate. This was the first official business to open on the island.
By 1850, seven residences were constructed on Absecon Island. A doctor who lived on the island thought that it would be a great place to create a health resort. However, island access was poor and needed much improvement. Thus, the Camden-Atlantic City Railroad was begun in 1852. The first CACR train brought the first tourists to the island in 1854.
A lighthouse was built in 1854 to help guide ships into the seaport due to the amount of shipwrecks in the area. In 1870, after 17 long years, construction of the first road onto the island from mainland New Jersey was completed. The original toll on this road was $0.30. In 1870, the first boardwalk was constructed to keep sand out of the businesses and hotels in the area. This was replaced in 1880 with a larger boardwalk. It was again replaced after a hurricane covered almost the entire city in six feet of water in 1889.
By 1878, the single railroad was unable to keep up with all the visitors to the island. So, the Narrow Gauge Line was built to help out. This brought more people to the island which meant that they needed a place to stay. This meant an increase in construction of hotels and boarding houses on Absecon Island to accommodate the influx of people.
Atlantic City officially opened in 1880. It quickly became the destination of choice for summer vacation for people all over the country. The Miss America Pageant in 1921 helped extend the tourist season to outside the summer months. The city remained a popular tourist destination until after WWII. Tourism remained in a slump until 1976, when the Casino Gambling Referendum was passed to help make Atlantic City real estate more attractive for visitors again. It is currently enjoying somewhat of a revival of its heyday, thanks to the money the city has invested in itself.
~ Education in Atlantic City
The Atlantic City educational system is served primarily by the Atlantic City School District. This is comprised of eight elementary/middle schools, one high school (Atlantic City High School) and two "ungraded" schools (Venice Park Elementary and Brighton Avenue School). Atlantic City has put a priority on trying to improve its academic standing.
Atlantic City's residential development is constantly evolving. On the city's south end, The Chelsea is a residential high-rise that offers 197 units that vary in size from one to three bedrooms. They have six penthouse units as well. BET Investments is planning on offering luxury two to three bedroom condos closer to the center of town. Tenor Square, located behind the Convention Center, has 18 two to four bedroom townhomes that have an updated "New York feel" to them.
The north side will benefit from development as well. Bella is a 27-story building comprised of 200 ultra luxurious condos, a fitness club, an enclosed pool, solarium, cabanas, designer decor and heated Jacuzzi spa.
The Waterside Apartment complex, located on oceanfront property in the South Inlet, is in the process of converting its 347 units into condos. Lennar Homes is constructing Reflections, which will offer 179 ultra luxury one to three bedroom condos in its six-story building, along with private balconies, cabanas, a sky bar, rooftop terrace with a pool and other luxury amenities.
The 306 unit Marbella is being developed as a luxury high-rise condo offering such high end services as a concierge, valet and its own security. There will be 24 penthouse units and 24 townhomes in the Marbella development.
For a community and school report in Atlantic City, please Click Here.
ATLANTIC CITY PRICE OF PROPERTIES
Time Frame
Average Selling Price
% Change Avg. Price from Previous Year
Median Selling Price
% Change Median Price from Previous Year
# of Properties Sold
% Change Units Sold from Previous Year
2008
$239,775
-21%
$189,500
-12%
262
-29%
2007
$303,537
23%
$215,000
3%
370
107%
2006
$247,259
10%
$209,000
19%
179
-11%
2005
$224,109
32%
$176,000
31%
201
22%
2004
$169,336
28%
$134,400
17%
165
-3%
2003
$131,848
$114,950
170
** A special note about the Atlantic City Price of Properties - these prices take all classes of properties (commercial, land, single family and condos) and combine them. If you would like more refined Atlantic City real estate market information, please e-mail me or call me at 609-287-1795. **
~ Fun Things to See and Do in Atlantic City
As a resort town built on tourism, there are plenty of things to see and do in Atlantic City. Between the gorgeous beaches, casino gambling, spas, great shopping and fine dining, no one can ever be bored while here. Please visit Atlantic City's Tourism Bureau or the Jersey Shore's Calendar of Events find out exactly what you should do and where you should go while in Atlantic City.
~ Shopping, Atlantic City Style
Looking for high end fashion, jewelry, shoes, home accessories, computers and electronics? Atlantic City has over 200 stores to cater to your wants and needs. Atlantic City shopping is divided into five distinct districts: Atlantic City Outlets - The Walk, The Pier Shops - Caesars, The Quarter - Tropicana, Trump Taj Mahal's Spice Road and The Waterfront Shops - Harrah's.
Atlantic City Outlets, The Walk - Located at the bottom of the Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City Outlets is outlet shopping at its best. With 100 different stores to choose from, including brand names like Nike, Eddie Bauer, Big Dog, Perry Ellis, Nautical, Banana Republic, Oshkosh, The Gap and Fossil, you are sure to find just what you are looking for!
The Pier Shops at Caesars - This three-story high end retail and dining masterpiece is linked by a sky bridge to Caesars Atlantic City. There are seven sumptuous restaurants of varying cuisine to choose from for your dining experience. The Pier Shops offer over 70 world class retail establishments at your fingertips, including stores like Tiffany & Co, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and many, many more. Feel free to enjoy "The Show" at the end of the pier. This is the largest indoor fountain show of lights, music, water and sound in the entire world.
The Quarter at Tropicana - Designed to remind you of Old Havana and located only a block from the world-famous Boardwalk, The Quarter at Tropicana is one of the most unique experiences in Atlantic City. The Quarter offers over 30 retail stores, over 20 restaurants, fabulous entertainment and even a sumptuous spa to all its visitors. Some of the shops include Swarovski, White House/Black Market, Houdini's Magic Shop and Chico's, while some of the restaurants offered are Cuba Libre, Verdi, Carmine's and even Starbucks.
Trump Taj Mahal's Spice Road - Opened in 2007, Spice Road is the most recent addition to Atlantic City's shopping experience. Diners can enjoy restaurants like Burger (hamburger and fries), Plate American Cafe (24-hour bistro), Candy (gourmet chocolates), Freeze (frozen drinks like margaritas and pina coladas) and GO (salads, panini and wraps). The shopping tends to be more upscale than the dining, however. Whether you are looking for boutiques carrying fashion, accessories, jewelry, shoes, watches, flower, souvenirs or Trump merchandise, you will find it at Spice Road.
The Waterfront Shops at Harrah's Atlantic City - Some of Atlantic City's best boutiques can be found at The Waterfront Shops. There are seven distinctly different stores available at The Waterfront Shops: Destinations (snacks, various sundries, world famous James Candy Company saltwater taffy), Elements at Home (stylish home decor), Park Place Jewelers (high end fine jewelry), Studio (women's ready-to-wear), Studio Shoes (women's shoes, handbags and eyewear), Top Drawer (high end menswear) and Sony.
~ Major Casino Development Projects in Atlantic City
Trump Taj Mahal: $250 million, 800-room hotel tower. Scheduled to open in 2008.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa: $525 million project is under way. Phase I is a $200 million expansion, to be unveiled next week, with restaurants, stores and gambling space. Phase II is a $325 million, 800-room hotel tower; construction began in 2004, and the tower is to open late in 2007.
Harrah's: $550 million expansion that includes a retail and entertainment center to open this year, and a 964-room hotel tower to open in 2008. Construction began in March. Also, $100 million in renovations are under way in the casino and hotel.
The Pier at Caesars: The $200 million project located on the Boardwalk next to Caesars casino opened the summer of 2006. Shop at one of the Piers high-end shops such as Louis Vuitton, Movado, Mulberry, Oilily, Quiksilver, Tiffany & Co., Tommy Bahama, Baccarat, or dine at one of their unique restaurants such as Buddakan, Sonsie, The Continental, or Phillips Seafood. To learn more about the what is available at The Pier at Ceasars, click here.
Land next to the Borgata:MGM will build a $5 billion hotel, entertainment and gambling comples on a 72-acre tract in the Marina district. The project will include a 3,000 room hotel, casino (with 5,000 slot machines and 200 tables) and an entertainment complex. It will be Atlantic City's tallest building. MGM, co-owner of the Borgata, describes the project as comparable to its $7 billion Las Vegas development, which includes hotel towers, retail stores and condominiums. Groundbreaking is expected in 2008 with an expected opening in 2012. To read more about this Atlantic City Casino project, click here.
Land next to Showboat casino in Atlantic City Inlet Area: Bought for $70 million by Morgan Stanley, Revel Entertainment Group will build a $2-billion-plus gambling/entertainment facility and hotel on the 20-acre parcel in the South Inlet district. The casino would be Atlantic City's 13th. The ocean-themed casino is expected to open in 2010. This casino will transform the Atlantic City Inlet area. To read more about this Atlantic City Casino project, click here.
Goodbye Sands Casino: Pinnacle entertainment is building a brand new mega casino/entertainment center at the site of the former Sands Casino at Illonois and the Boardwalk. It is the first major casino project on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in 20 years.
Atlantic City Hilton: The Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort plans a $1 billion expansion to build a 1,000-room hotel tower - double its gambling floor area to 120,000 square feet - and to add new shops, restaurants and a 3,500-seat theater for shows. It also plans a 3,000-space parking garage.
The Walk: The eight-block shopping-entertainment district, which links the Convention Center with the Boardwalk, broke ground in March 2006 for a $155 million expansion to include stores, restaurants, condominiums and office space. The expansion is on the west side of Michigan Avenue.
Other Expansions: Projects at Caesars and Bally's casinos. There will also be a new casino next to the Hilton and a new luxury condominum complex called Breakers Atlantic City at 4100 Atlantic Avenue.
For more information about the beautiful Jersey Shore, please visit: www.ShoreBreeze.com
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Sherri Lilienfeld, ABR Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors Office: (609) 822-4200 ext 111 Direct: (609) 487-7211 Cell: (609) 287-1795 Fax: (609) 939-0792 Email: Sherri@NJ-ShoreRealEstate.com
