‘Putting an end to the era’: Former Seaside Heights club Karma demolished

This continues a multiyear plan of shedding the partying image of Seaside Heights into a more family-friendly destination.

Jim Murdoch and Lanette Espy

Dec 27, 2023, 5:33 PM

Updated 133 days ago

Share:

The days of partying at a famous Jersey Shore nightclub are long gone.
"There will be people with some good memories of the early days but then later on, it became a very hectic situation," said Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz. 
Karma, made famous by the cast of the “Jersey Shore,” is now a pile of rubble. Demolition began at the former Seaside Heights club Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Greg Lertch and his crew wasted no time clawing into the vacant club that last played host to parties in 2018.
Karma was most famous during the first seasons of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” where Snookie, The Situation and the rest of the crew would often be seen partying with the locals and their housemates.
Then-owner John Saddy faced issues in the last year Karma was open. Reports of underage drinking and overdoses led to an injunction five years ago. The club never reopened and was sold at auction in 2020.
Lertch says he feels some sort of nostalgia when coming to demolish a site like Karna.
“Thinking back 10 years ago, I came in here and did some shots, drink some Red Bull and vodkas. It's fun showing up, tearing it down. Putting an end to the era,” he said.
Lertch says he feels some sort of nostalgia when coming to demolish a site like Karna.
“Thinking back 10 years ago, I came in here and did some shots, drink some Red Bull and vodkas. It's fun showing up, tearing it down. Putting an end to the era,” he said.
New construction projects surround the demolition at Karma. It's all part of Seaside's rebranding going from a party reputation to one of a family-friendly destination.
"This is the future I believe. We did not jump into this. We thought about it, we had a vision and we wanted to see on a paper drawing what our vision would be like," added the mayor.
So, what will take Karma's spot at 401 Boulevard? Like many properties redeveloped along the Shore, realtor Mike Loundy, from Seaside Realty, says the space is fated to become a mixed-use condominium with rooftop ocean views, including a gym and pool. For those interested in living in the area, Seaside Realty is taking names to add to their list once they start rolling out unit pricing.
Interested folks can check out their website at 419boulevard.com


More from News 12
1:52
Prosecutor: Mount Olive day care teacher accused of assaulting 16-month-old girl

Prosecutor: Mount Olive day care teacher accused of assaulting 16-month-old girl

1:58
STORM WATCH: Scattered thunderstorms expected Thursday morning

STORM WATCH: Scattered thunderstorms expected Thursday morning

2:40
KIYC: Is New Jersey’s treatment of rape victims violating their human rights?

KIYC: Is New Jersey’s treatment of rape victims violating their human rights?

2:54
4 Keyport businesses indefinitely shut down after construction incident condemns building

4 Keyport businesses indefinitely shut down after construction incident condemns building

2:46
Educators gather at FDU for program to learn how to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander history

Educators gather at FDU for program to learn how to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander history

0:23
Police issue safety warning after black bear spotted in Hawthorne neighborhood

Police issue safety warning after black bear spotted in Hawthorne neighborhood

0:36
Jersey Proud: Red Cross volunteers make sure Mount Holly residents have smoke detectors

Jersey Proud: Red Cross volunteers make sure Mount Holly residents have smoke detectors

0:18
Prosecutor: Paterson man shot over the weekend dies from injuries

Prosecutor: Paterson man shot over the weekend dies from injuries

0:29
Police: Multiple fights inside East Brunswick High School lead to lockdown, shelter-in-place

Police: Multiple fights inside East Brunswick High School lead to lockdown, shelter-in-place

0:20
Police: 2 men assault, rob victim walking alone in Montclair

Police: 2 men assault, rob victim walking alone in Montclair

2:14
State monitor assigned to Nutley Public School District to assist with finances

State monitor assigned to Nutley Public School District to assist with finances

1:34
ExxonMobil's Research and Engineering closing Clinton Township facility, relocating to Houston

ExxonMobil's Research and Engineering closing Clinton Township facility, relocating to Houston

0:17
Authorities: Man dies following Sunday shooting in Paterson

Authorities: Man dies following Sunday shooting in Paterson

0:27
Clayton police: Man, woman found dead inside apartment in reported murder-suicide

Clayton police: Man, woman found dead inside apartment in reported murder-suicide

0:30
Russian national charged in New Jersey with developing and operating LockBit ransomware

Russian national charged in New Jersey with developing and operating LockBit ransomware

0:31
Westfield police warn about apartment rental scam on social media

Westfield police warn about apartment rental scam on social media

0:29
Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

0:24
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

0:24
Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

0:27
Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes

Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes