Channel Club Tower: Shrewsbury’s Sentinel

by Greg Kelly · Published April 22, 2022 · Updated May 19, 2022

CCT

I grew up literally in its shadow — watching a tower and massive steel and concrete auto garage fill the large riverfront acreage we Kelly kids once called “the woods.” The Channel Club Tower, a private high-rise condominium, is quite photogenic — lording over the Shrewsbury River marina front in Monmouth Beach.

At 18-stories high and 222-units wide, it’s the borough’s largest housing facility. The ambitious project was the vision of Walter Mihm, who would develop the area into a marine empire of considerable scale. The tower architect was Harold Kent and Kendall Development Co. was the builder (and a Mihm co-partner). Final construction cost was about $14 million.

In 1972, together with partner American Standard, Walter purchased a 7-acre parcel of land off West Street and built the tower. Walter was also responsible for the Channel Club and the Channel Club marina and its many businesses. And he built the adjoining private street, Channel Drive. Part of the property off West Street had once held a massive 25-room summer home owned by officers of the Salvation Army, which held title to a much of the surrounding land.

The tower (towers, really) came about as a means to boost town ratables — then badly needed to help fund a new school. In 1970, the borough commissioners approved an ordinance to permit the construction of high-rise dwellings in town; two years later the ordinance was rescinded.

When the CCT opened a sales office in April 1973, the average price for an apartment was $51,000, the average monthly maintenance fee was $115 and a penthouse cost $95,000. All units had terraces with water views. Locals remember the place for its 24-hour doorman, pool, health club, and massive parking garage.

Here are some images of the CCT and area through the years:

Channel Club Tower, 2021.

Channel Club Tower, 2014. In the foreground is the new Beach Tavern under construction. The prior restaurant, Sallee Tee’s Grille, had been wrecked by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Channel Club Tower shortly after Superstorm Sandy, November 2012 (Jack Flaherty Photo).

Channel Club Tower and marina, 2022. Original developer Walter Mihm was the son and grandson of Monmouth Beach mayors.

Channel Club Tower fire, October 1985. The blaze started when a sixth floor bedroom lamp tipped over. By 1987, the MBFC had acquired a new tower-ladder truck — a 100+ footer from Stuphen.

Channel Club Tower watches over the marina area, 2020.

A scene from HBO-TV’s “The Sopranos” was filmed in Monmouth Beach, April 2000. From left: Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bompensiero (Vincent Pastore), Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), and Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt). The Season Two finale was called “Funhouse.”

MB Tower Power: Photo angle showing all three MB high-rise condos together, 2016.

Channel Club Tower area, Sept. 2021 (Frank Snead Photo). CCT Promo: “Luxury High-Rise
Rising Above All Others.”

MB resident and developer Walter Mihm looks over early construction of the Channel Club Tower when ground was broken in June 1973. An Asbury Park Press profile called him a “6-foot-4, powerful looking man.”

Channel Club Tower, 2021.

Channel Club Tower 18th floor penthouse view, looking north, June 2021.

MB looking east from the CCT to the ocean, 2000s.

Channel Club Tower, 2010s.

Channel Club Tower and marina, 2017. (Frank E. Snead Photo). Ownership spent $5 million to replace the parking garage in 2006.

Fireworks seen from the Channel Club Tower, 2019.

Channel Club Tower, 1970s.

Shrewsbury River marina, 1960s. Property area before tower construction.

Ice skaters on the Shrewsbury River with the CCT as a ghostly backdrop, 1970s.

Channel Club Tower under construction, 1972.

Channel Club Tower under construction, November 1973.

Map shows the Salvation Army owned much of land along the borough’s north river shore. Land encompassing the Channel Club Tower, several marinas, and private homes — all the way to the river, Plat Book of Monmouth County, 1941. The property was sold in 1951.