Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, today released images from the recently-opened 365 Ocean, a boutique, beachfront, condominium community in Long Branch, NJ. The luxury building offers 57 residences, all with endless ocean views.

Developed by Mark Built Homes, 365 Ocean is expected to draw buyers downsizing from single-family homes in the area as well as those purchasing a second home as a retreat. Well-versed in designing luxury communities for these demographics, MCA was tapped to oversee interiors of the building’s common spaces, its two model units and the outside pool deck.

“We know this buyer and area well, so we designed the common areas of the community in an elegant and sophisticated beach-inspired aesthetic complete with warm sandy tones, cool metal accents and lots of texture,” said Mary Cook, founder and president of Mary Cook Associates.

To carry this aesthetic throughout the property, the MCA team used a sophisticated palette of neutrals with subtle ocean-inspired undertones – as seen in the two model units the firm designed. In the common spaces, clean lines and textural details establish the vacation home-inspired vibe of the community.

“Texture adds a level of luxury to any space, and it’s especially compelling when it’s unexpected,” said Cook. “For example, each floor’s elevator landing features an intricate stone wall that creates a sense of warmth and arrival to residents and guests alike upon stepping out of the elevator. It’s a pleasant surprise and the type of wall treatment that everyone will want to touch.”

The building’s clubroom and lounge are intended to be flexible in use and therefore offer a variety of seating options – from banquettes and work-from-home table seating overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, to couches, tables and chairs grouped for conversations or enjoying beverages from the nearby coffee bar. Each space is arranged to take advantage of the magnificent views visible through the building’s expansive windows and glass doors that open out onto the pool deck. Outdoors, residents gather in comfortable seating around the infinity pool and fire pit, both of which frame the picture-perfect views of the ocean.

“At 365 Ocean it feels like you’re always on vacation,” said Cook. “The sights and sounds of the beach and ocean are prevalent throughout the property and we kept them as the focal point in each of the spaces we designed, including the model units.”

According to Cook, the two-bedroom, two-bath models carry the same luxurious and meticulously curated aesthetic as the common spaces. And to complement the serene and relaxing environment found outside the models, MCA created a similar sanctuary inside by using soothing suedes, supple leathers and faux fur accents.

365 Ocean is steps from the beach and boardwalk and a brief walk to shopping, dining and the Jersey shore nightlife. The train and ferry from the Highlands give residents easy access to New York City. Already 50% sold, 365 Ocean offers condominiums priced from the upper $800,000s.

For more information about Mary Cook Associates, visit www.marycook.com.

About Mary Cook Associates:

Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm acclaimed for work that yields measurable returns for real estate owners and developers. The firm is comprised of more than two dozen designers and architects offering strategic and imaginative designs for a wide variety of spaces that respond to the demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. This results in smart spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and accelerate activity, occupancy rates and sales for marketers. After realizing that MCA has been consistently hired to ‘fix’ unsuccessful interior spaces done by other design professionals, founder Mary Cook wrote “The Art of Space,” a textbook that breaks interior design into seven fundamentals. The book is used in design schools throughout the U.S., and its seven principles form a foundation that informs all of the design work MCA produces.

Cook is also credited with introducing the concept of Return on Environment (R.O.E.) to the design and development communities. The term reflects the measurable net benefits communities, organizations and individuals gain from environments that enable them to do, feel and be their best. www.marycook.com.