WILDWOOD – A developer/contractor from Philadelphia broke ground, Sept. 6, on a project he believes is a one-of-a-kind plan for a condo development, to be named for his one-of-a-kind mom.
Shawn Renz, 56, said he started coming down to Wildwood from Philadelphia at a very young age, taking day trips with his mother and sister. He has spent the last 25 years as a contractor flipping houses in Philadelphia, and after renting a vacation home in Wildwood for a number of years, he decided to build six condo units on Lincoln Avenue – one of which he kept for himself.
He said he had his eyes on North Wildwood, but felt he was priced out of that community; actually, beaten out by higher offers.
Renz said he looked around Wildwood and found (and acquired) a parking lot on Ocean Avenue between Magnolia and Garfield avenues, where he plans to create a luxury condominium complex named Kay’s Oasis in memory of his mother, Katherine Ann “Kay” Renz.
Renz said his mother, who was the youngest of six sisters and a brother growing up in a Philadelphia row home, was often mother and father to him and his sister. He said she was “as nice as could be,” but she added “toughness and tenacity” when needed.
His mother learned and later taught belly dancing, which accounts for the “oasis” theme. Later in life, her grandchildren became her hobby, as well as always taking care of a cat or two.
Kay’s Oasis will feature what Renz called a courtyard oasis, which will have a separate pool area designed with children in mind, as well as a heated pool and hot tub. Renz said he had been keeping his development work in Wildwood a secret.
“The family didn’t know I was building the six units on Lincoln,” he said.
Then last year, when his mother was getting “the worst kind of sick,” as he described it, he decided to tell her about his plans for Kay’s Oasis.
“I told my mom I was going to do something big,” he said.
Kay Renz passed away Aug. 27, 2022, and Shawn Renz moved into his unit in the middle of May of this year. Within days, he said, he found the lot that will be Kay’s Oasis. He said he started to imagine what could be done on the lot, and realized it was bigger than what he thought he could take on, but he found a way.
He said his original concept was drawn on a birthday card, and he has essentially kept to that design. He said he could have constructed 18 units, but is building 16 and adding various amenities to the project, such as the pavilion room, which will have a 120-inch TV for watching things like Eagles and Phillies games.
“This is going to be the Thunderbird on steroids,” Renz said, referring to the former motel in North Wildwood. “This will be the best beach block.”
Renz said it would literally be a beach block, located on Ocean Avenue. He said the condominium complex will have, in addition to the pools, a multipurpose room with a kitchen, ice and vending machines, exercise equipment, and restrooms.
Besides the games airing in the large, shaded pavilion, there will be games for all ages, including Giant Jenga, Connect 4, and cornhole. There will also be multiple charging locations for electronic devices.
All the units will come with a custom kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and backsplash. There will be laminate flooring throughout for easy maintenance and cleaning; a private 26-foot-wide deck off the living area with fans and lighting; and a private two-car garage with additional driveway parking, storage, and an outside shower. Each unit will also have an electric fireplace.
Renz said what will truly make it a “beach block like no other” are the rooftop decks, each with its own bathroom, for a view of the Friday night fireworks.
Each condominium unit has a spacious floor plan, three bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, and private front and rear decks. Units are starting at $899,224.
“This will be a lifetime achievement for me and I want to make it as nice as possible,” Renz said.
Renz added that each unit will be a turnkey operation, with all fixtures and appliances included.
“They will need nothing but a key and everything is good to go,” he said.
Renz said all his approvals are in place to begin the project, starting with the Sept. 6 groundbreaking. He expressed appreciation to the City of Wildwood for having the confidence in him to allow such a project.
He said he anticipates the eight units on Magnolia Avenue, plus the courtyard amenities, to be ready in summer 2024. The final eight units, located on Glenwood Avenue, should be ready for summer 2025.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
ED. NOTE: Why did the Herald write this story? Wildwood is seeing more and more development like this, and we wanted to point that out to our readers.
