The old saying “patience is a virtue” certainly held true for Jill and Chris Curran when looking for the perfect Jersey Shore home to enjoy their empty-nest years.  The former Clark residents had decided to downsize over two years ago with both a son and daughter attending college.  They sold their Union County house and moved into a rental where they could bide their time as they thoughtfully searched for a residence in Monmouth County that fit all their requirements.

“I lived in Clark my entire life and my husband moved there from Long Island after college,” Mrs. Curran said.  “We always loved Monmouth County and have lots of family and friends here.  We knew that once our children were finished with school that we would move to the area.

We ended up selling our home during my son’s junior year of high school and rented in Clark so that we would have the flexibility to purchase something down the shore if the opportunity presented itself.”

For two-plus years the Curran’s visited a variety of home types, including single-family residences and townhomes, throughout eastern Monmouth County.   They considered communities such as Elk Ridge in Red Bank and Marina Bay in Long Branch, along with homes in Oceanport.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t find any that met our criteria and many came with unwanted worries — whether it was high taxes and maintenance fees, concerns over flood waters or the amount of work needed to update the home,” Mrs. Curran pointed out.

That’s when the couple took the advice of their Monmouth County friends and family who suggested they visit East Gate, a unique collection of 68 residences developed by RPM Development Group on the 1,226-acre former Fort Monmouth Army post in Oceanport, N.J.    The Curran’s immediately fell in love with the opportunity to reside in the Jersey Shore’s most notable and newest live/play center.

“As soon as we came to East Gate we knew this was going to be our new home!” exclaimed Mrs. Curran.  “There were so many elements we loved.  The property is absolutely beautiful, inside and out. We were thrilled with the attention to detail and the fact that historical features were kept intact while updating the homes.  We also appreciated that we could move in and enjoy our new home without having to deal with renovation or improvement projects.  The maintenance fees and taxes were reasonable, and it’s in a great location that’s close to so much – the beach, retail, restaurants, the Oceanport Creek and the Little Silver train station.”

East Gate consists of townhomes, duplexes and single-family residences being created in century-old Officer’s Housing buildings on Fort Monmouth.  The Currans purchased a three-bedroom Oceanport townhome.

“The layout of the home played a huge role in our decision to purchase at East Gate,” Jill says.  “First of all, we love the open floorplan. I work from home and was looking for something that provided us with that little bit of extra space and the beautiful brick sunroom on the main level did just that.  We also loved that the original brick was incorporated into the homes and the window sills and doorways are wide and add so much character.

“The finishes were high quality and not just builder grade.  It was hard to choose an option for our home since they were all so beautiful. You could really tell RPM Development put their heart into this project.  The entire experience has been wonderful. Our home is beautiful and East Gate and the surrounding property is so pretty.  I feel like I’m on vacation here.”

East Gate is the first residential community to debut at historic Fort Monmouth, bringing into focus the overall vision of the former army base as a year-round lifestyle destination with amenities and services, including the nearby Marina at Oceanport, parade grounds and open space, as well as an expected bowling alley, microbrewery, walking trails and The Fort Athletic Club which is slated to open soon.

“We’re so excited to see what businesses and residences will be coming to Fort Monmouth and be a part of something that’s being redeveloped from the ground up,” Mrs.  Curran continued.   “We’re looking forward to being able to walk to different businesses once they are up and running.  There seem to be endless opportunities coming to Fort Monmouth and all are within walking distance to East Gate.  The community’s maintenance-free environment with our property landscaped and tended to, giving us much more free time to enjoy it.

“Plus, my husband is a history buff and loves the fact that Fort Monmouth once served as an army base.  Someone always has a story or a fond memory for us when we tell them we moved to the base.  So many people in the area worked here or had family or friends here when it was an army base.”

Fewer than ten homes are available in the current inventory at East Gate as buyers rush to join homeowners such as the Currans.  The remaining residences are priced from the $500,000s to the mid-$700,000s and provide some of the most desirable floorplans, including the popular three-bedroom duplex homes with 2.5 baths, spacious dining/living room, open concept kitchen, expansive master bedroom suite with lavish master bath and sitting room and bonus den.

East Gate boasts eye-catching architecture and distinctive homes that offer an attractive alternative to the area’s conventional housing stock.  To create a nostalgic, yet modern living experience at the community, RPM Development has masterfully blended the original building exteriors which date back to the early 20^th century with contemporary interiors boasting expansive living spaces and designer finishes and appointments.

Palermo Edwards Architecture has remodeled the buildings’ interiors to create new two- and three-story homes with luxurious kitchens and bathrooms and a high level of style and comfort. Generous floorplans feature designer elements, including hardwood flooring throughout first floors, modern kitchens with granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel Kohler fixtures and GE appliance packages; and master-bathroom suites with double vanity countertops, Moen Eva faucets and showers with built-in benches and frameless shower doors.

Oceanport is one of Monmouth County’s most desired residential settings, combining a distinctly suburban environment with award-winning schools.  The Borough also provides an incredibly commuter-friendly location with easy access to all that makes Jersey Shore living so special.

East Gate itself is situated just minutes from popular New Jersey beaches and the banks of the Shrewsbury River, and is in proximity to the entertainment, dining and culture of Red Bank and Asbury Park.

For additional information, please call 732-523-5566 or visit www.EastGateOceanport.com.  The on-site sales program is being conducted by Coldwell Banker New Homes of Florham Park, NJ.  The community’s sales and model complex is located at 33 Russel Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757.

About RPM Development Group

Founded in 1986, RPM is one of the leading developers of high-quality homes in New Jersey. RPM brings all aspects of the development process under one roof, with expertise across all phases of construction.  We take pride in creating attractively designed and sustainably crafted homes.