Coaster Photo
Rock n roller John Oates (right) discusses moving into The Esperanza on Asbury Parks beachfront with building owner Dean Geibel.
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
John Oates, of the famed Hall and Oates rock duo, is moving to Asbury Park.
Oates attended a press conference at The Esperanzas beachfront sales office with owner Dean Geibel this week to announce that he had purchased a two bedroom, two bath condominium.
The $675,000 sixth-floor unit is in the south tower and will be ready in July 2008.
Oates said the purchase just started to make sense the more he thought about and discussed it with Geibel, whom he met through business associates.
Oates, who was born in New York City but raised in the Philadelphia area, said he wanted a place where he could stay while performing.
He has family in New Jersey and Philadelphia and said Asbury Park is the perfect place for them all to get together.
I have an aunt and uncle in Tenafly and family in Bergenfield. My parents are in Philadelphia…..I thought its starting to make a lot of sense, he said.
The rock n roller also owns two homes in Colorado.
Hall and Oates, who are known for such hits as Rich Girl, Kiss On My List and Shes Gone, frequently play Atlantic City and the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank.
Although he has never played in Asbury Park he is well aware of the citys place in music history.
I know of Asbury Park, and the music traditions, Bruce notwithstanding, he said. Its a great place to be.
Oates said he and Hall will most likely end up playing in some of the citys venues.
We might end up playing in some of these places, he said.
Speaking of the recent refurbishing of the Paramount, Oates said it is a theater designed for music.
We are life-long musicians….thats what we care about, he said. Darryl (Hall) and I would love to play there.
Oates also said he was attracted to The Esperanza after learning of the hotel-like amenities that will be available.
This building will be like living in a hotel, Geibel said.
One of the main high lifestyle amenities will be the at your service feature allowing an owner to call two or three days in advance with a list of groceries or other items which will be purchased and stocked in the owners condominium.
I like that I just want to show up, I dont have time to go shopping, Oates said.
Oates said his wife Aimee will be in charge of picking out the decor for the bathrooms.
Ill let her take care of the bathrooms, thats what she cares about, he said.
The couple have an 11-year-old son Tanner.
Geibel said sales at The Esperanza are going well with almost 50 of the 224 units already sold.
And thats just since April, he said.
Prices for the units range from $400,000 to $2.3 million.
Geibel said he expects the north tower to be completed in December of 2008.
Oates said going public with the sale is not a concern.
My whole life is public, that doesnt bother me, he said.
Geibel said buying into The Esperanza now is a smart move.
Two years from now they will be way more expensive and old news, he said.
Geibel also said his company , along with Madison Marquette, plan to expedite work on the streetscape and may even construct temporary businesses in the neighborhood which will then be torn down.
We want to create more of a neighborhood. Well build some for the summer and then tear them down, he said.
Geibel also said he expects to be holding another press conference in a month to announce the sale of a unit to another well known person.
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