WEST CAPE MAY — The corner of Broadway and Sunset Boulevard in West Cape May has seen many changes through the years. Unsurprisingly, these changes are often reflective of the era in which we live.
During the fine-dining, “foodie” heyday of the mid-aughts, this corner was home to one of the best restaurants to ever open its doors on the island: The Black Duck.
It may surprise some to learn that Cape May, that bastion of historical advocacy, does change occasionally. And given it has been 20 years since the Foodies first stormed our shores with changing demands, it shouldn’t come as a shock to learn that even the Black Duck has flown, remaining now as a beloved chapter in the town’s story.
The building is still there, of course: that’s how this island operates. But now the building at 101 W. Sunset Blvd. has been renovated from the ground up to create luxury and enjoyment that fit the new ethos of the times.
Privacy is now paramount, with luxurious spaces and curated guest lists. The restaurant that once dazzled thousands is now home to two condominium units specially designed to provide comfort to a much more selective audience: a family and their guests.
Since these two units are very similar in many respects, it’s easy to talk about them both as one: the Black Duck Landing residence is on the second floor and the Black Duck Nest is on the top. In most respects they are identical. The ground floor of the building is now dedicated to a brand-new health spa, adding one more amenity to the location.
Each residence has been thoughtfully designed with practical comforts in mind. Both enjoy dedicated parking spaces and their own enclosed outdoor shower — an invaluable luxury after a day at the beach. Generous foyer spaces create a welcoming entry, enhanced by additional storage closets that offer convenience without compromising style.
The first stop is almost guaranteed to be the kitchen — stunningly designed to offer a comfortable place to work while dazzling guests who naturally gravitate to the scene of the action. It’s a testament to how times have changed: 30 years ago no one would have dared linger in the kitchen before a dinner party; now, everyone does, and homes are built to embrace that expectation.
This kitchen is shaped in a wide horseshoe to maximize the southern view over Sunset Boulevard and capture every bit of natural light. White cabinetry contrasts beautifully with the northern birch hardwood floors that run throughout the home, and even more dramatically with the coffee-toned, nearly black wood of the island and bar.
The island is topped with the same veined white marble used for the counters, creating both additional workspace and an inviting gathering spot.
The seller also had a custom dining table created for both units to fit seamlessly into the space across from the kitchen, further enhancing the flow and functionality of the room
From there, one walks to the front of the unit to enjoy the spacious living area and the enclosed front porch beyond. This space in particular offers a four-season room to look down at the world, the Christmas Parade (this is still West Cape May, after all) or past the trees all the way to the beach.
It’s hard to imagine a better spot for relaxing at the end of the day or revving up with coffee before heading out for adventures on the island.
When one is wrung out from a day of spa treatments, beach time, biking or sailing, and prowling the shops just steps away, there are three bedrooms to choose from — each with its own ensuite bath.
The primary bedroom suite has its own entrance to the enclosed front porch. There’s an interior wall perfect for the back of the bed, screening the closet and large ensuite bath from view. This bath has a walk-in shower with custom tile and a double vanity so two people can easily get ready for the day.
The other two bedrooms are behind this one, accessible from the entry hall. There also is a small room at the back corner, bathed in light from the south, ready to be an office, den or home gym.
The same entry hall that connects to the main entrance and staircase also passes a laundry room and a powder room, bringing the total to three and a half baths in each unit.
The floor plan was designed so simply, and with such clear understanding of how people use their homes, that it feels like a luxurious retreat even empty, which it currently is: the renovations are almost complete, the new elevator is being installed (a must when hosting family of all ages or friends with heavy luggage).
This is one opportunity to live in a location that could hardly be bettered anywhere on the island, in a recognizable and beautiful building, in a unit that has everything one could want at the tips of their fingers.
Between the calming textures, warm sunlight and the complete lack of worry that one might have to drive somewhere, this home offers the rarest luxury of all: a drop in one’s blood pressure, even if one is hosting for the holidays.
