Asbury Park's Deteriorated Casino Facade
Asbury Park's famous Casino is located at the southern boarder of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove New Jersey. The Casino which has suffered, become dilapidated and decayed, similarly to it's town, Asbury Park. It has long been a favorite of photographers and visitors as a symbol of the decline of the once thriving seaside resort town of Asbury park.
The Casino that survives today was built in 1903, after a fire destroyed an older version of the building. It was designed by the New York Architecture Firm Warren and Wetmore in the Beaux-Arts style. This historic Casino consisted of three main programmatic elements. The eastern portion of the building was an arena featuring a skating rink. This portion of the building extended from the boardwalk out over the beach.
All that Remains of the Arena Portion of the Carousel
The western portion of the Casino extending past the boardwalk, included space for various games, including skee ball and bumper cars. At the western most end of this portion of the building a beautiful semi circular space was designed for a classic wooden Carousel. The arena and the carousel were connected by a glazed multi story walkway along the boardwalk proper. One can pass through this walkway, from Asbury Park into neighboring Ocean Grove. An additional outlying building served as mechanical space and a boiler room for the Casino as well.
The Casino's Carousel Enclosure
The Walkway Portion of the Casino
The Casino's Boiler Building
The original Casino complex did not feature any gambling despite it's namesake. The building was constructed of steel and masonry. The Asbury Park Casino itself was elegantly detailed with copper roofs and decorative elements. These elements include nautical themes such as lanterns, sea-horses and Greek inspired motifs, such as Medusa like designs.
The Casino's Carousel Copper Decoration
The Casino along with the nearby Palace amusements and The Convention hall formed the core of Asbury Park's historical amusement attractions. Sadly the complex has been allowed to deteriorate for decades. In the 1980's the roof over the Arena failed and in combination with storms and water damage, forced the that portion of the building to close. The arena portion of the building was so badly damaged, that it was torn down in 2006. Plans have been proposed to replace it with a similarly massed and detailed structure, albeit without a skating rink, yet no construction has begun on a permanent replacement for the arena to date. Sadly, the Carousel's gorgeous hand carved horses were sold off in the 1980's as well. Most of the copper inspired decoration of the walkway portion of the Casino has also disappeared throughout the years and much of it's glazing is missing as well.
Interior of The Casino's Walkway
Although the arena is now gone, the Carousel buildings is in fine condition. Although no longer used as a carousel, the building has been used for antique sales and other functions recently. The walkway has been stabilized after the demolition of the arena in 2006 and has been reopened for people to pass though from Asbury Park to Ocean Grove. Hopefully a new arena building will begin construction soon in conjunction with a full renovation and restoration of the Walkway. Until it does, the Casino will stand as monument to Asbury Park's rich history and decline, as well as a symbol of hope, for it's planned rebirth.
Posts
1 comments:
My husband and I were just in Asbury Park for a concert at the Stone Pony (Bruce!). I haven't been to the boardwalk since I was a kid, having grown up in Freehold. I am fascinated by the Casino building - it must have been so amazingly beautiful in its time. The copper and the detailing are so unique, and I can imagine how it shone as the jewel of the boardwalk. I am happy to read that the boardwalk is beginning a revival, and we had a fun night out at the local restaurants. We live in Cleveland, and see many of the same style buildings just sitting in disrepair - their land worth more than the building that is on it! I sincerely hope that the city and/or private funding can restore the Casino to even a portion of its previous grandeur! Really enjoyed your site!
Post a Comment