CAPE MAY — Victorian Towers, senior apartments in the heart of downtown, has 55 empty studio apartments.
The building is owned and operated by Diocesan Housing Services Corporation, a division of the Catholic Diocese of Camden.
Curtis Johnson, executive director of Diocesan Housing Services, told the Herald, Victorian Towers had a “significant vacancy with our studio apartments.” He said most prospective tenants want an apartment with a bedroom rather than a studio.
“Victorian Towers being a moderate income building, its affected by the economy,” said Johnson. “Most of the residents in there were homeowners and they need to sell homes before they move.”
Normally, Victorian Towers has a healthy waiting list due to its location in Cape May within walking distance of an Acme market, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and the Washington Street Mall.
Johnson said his office was working on some different marketing strategies. He acknowledged Victorian Towers is a 40-year-old building with some challenges but upgrades have been started. During the past year, the building’s boiler system was replaced, said Johnson.
Diocesan Housing Services opened a new building, Haven House, in North Cape May in 2007. Johnson said that property was under a different program and served residents with much lower income. Most Haven House residents have an income too low to qualify for Victorian Towers, he said.
A lack of parking at Victorian Towers is a continuing issue. Johnson said the building has 205 units with only 80 parking spaces. “That requires a certain lifestyle change for folks too,” he said. Studio apartments are best for single persons, said Johnson.
A weak economy, the difficulty in homeowner’s selling their homes and newer buildings with features not available in Victorian Towers have combined to create the vacancies, he said.
“Still, you can’t beat the location,” said Johnson, noting the building’s close proximity to the beach and Acme market. “They can take on a really nice lifestyle at Victorian Towers.”
He said his office would undertake marketing to maintain and increase the population base of Victorian Towers.
Johnson said the building serves seniors with a number of income levels. Johnson encouraged those interested in living in Victorian Towers to call for an explanation of qualifications and income levels. For information call: (609) 884-5883 or (856) 342-4150.
