Osborn Dunes at South Mantoloking recently began welcoming back long-time residents and new arrivals, nearly 12 years after Superstorm Sandy whipped through the coastal community. With a smarter and safer approach to rebuilding, Barnegat-based developer Walters has completed almost half of the planned 67 duplex residences. The entire development is slated for completion by Memorial Day Weekend 2025.
Situated on a three-acre barrier island between Mantoloking and Normandy Beach, Osborn Dunes, formerly known as Camp Osborn, was once a small enclave of beachfront bungalows before being destroyed by flooding and fire following the devastating storm. For over a decade, the land remained vacant while the town and homeowners association navigated the complexities of rebuilding their cherished community. Top priorities included choosing a builder who would build the chosen designs that would withstand severe weather conditions while maximizing the use of buildable land.
To help bring the community back to its feet, Osborn Dunes selected Walters as their builder. With 40 years of experience, the local coastal developer has an excellent reputation, extensive knowledge of high-end sustainable design and expertise in building in flood-prone areas.
Osborn Dunes at South Mantoloking is designed to meet FEMA’s flood guidelines with each residence elevated above the floodplain. The new Osborn Dunes duplexes feature roughly 1,033 square feet of living space – double the size of the former Camp Osborn bungalows. In addition, the safer and more resilient two-story homes are designed for year-round use and to withstand severe weather and flooding.
“We worked closely with each homeowner to manage their individual budgets and made every effort to exceed their expectations with the final product,” Austin Bocchicchio, sales manager with Walters, said. “Helping people through the recovery process is not just about rebuilding more sustainable homes; it’s also about fostering community spirit and getting people back to the beach they love.”
Dale Parisi recalls Camp Osborn as an idyllic community where three generations of his family vacationed. “It was a peaceful, beautiful place; Sandy changed all that on October 22, 2012,” reflected Parisi. When the skies finally cleared and Parisi drove to see his family’s summer bungalow, he was shocked to find only rubble.
“It was a very sad day. We had no idea what the future held for any of us,” said Parisi. “While some people cashed in their chips, I believed that someday we were going to return and rebuild.”
Although the community leadership worked tirelessly over the years to move the rebuilding process forward, the challenges were far reaching. “But we were lucky to have the opportunity to work with Walters and to finally get back to our beach,” Parisi said. “Walters has an incredible team that works seamlessly together. They worked with our board’s architect and did an outstanding job maximizing the space and designing modern homes that satisfied everyone.”
With extensive experience building in a coastal environment, Walters is a leader in sustainable construction and has developed award-winning residential developments throughout New Jersey. The privately held firm is committed to the highest construction standards and environmentally responsible building practices. Since 1984, Walters has grown steadily, creating three divisions—Walters Homes, Walters Architecture LLC and Walters Apartments.
