Historic Lucy the Elephant Expands With Major Upgrades

ByDom Castellano

Lucy the Elephant, the beloved six-story pachyderm and National Historic Landmark in Margate City, New Jersey, is expanding her footprint along the Jersey Shore. The Save Lucy Committee recently acquired a property across the street from the iconic attraction to support ambitious renovation plans and accommodate growing visitor numbers following national recognition.

The organization purchased a mixed-use property at 9219 Atlantic Avenue, which will temporarily serve as a gift shop and administrative offices during the construction of a new state-of-the-art visitor center. Cherry Hill-based Vantage Commercial represented both the buyer and seller in the transaction, though financial terms were not disclosed.

New Visitor Center on the Horizon

According to Richard Helfant, Executive Director and CEO of the Save Lucy Committee, construction on a new interpretative center is scheduled to begin in September and be completed by mid-2026. The ADA-compliant facility will replace the now-closed welcome center at Lucy’s base.

“While construction is underway, guests can visit our shop at the corner of Atlantic and Washington avenues to purchase tour tickets and Lucy-themed souvenirs,” Helfant explained. After the project’s completion, the recently acquired property will continue to serve as storage space and offices for the organization.

The mixed-use building, located less than a block from the beach, features street-level commercial space and residential units above. According to Zillow, the property has an estimated value of $1.28 million.

Federal Funding Addresses Interior Preservation

The expansion comes on the heels of a significant federal grant that will fund crucial interior renovations for the 143-year-old landmark. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker recently presented a ceremonial check for $500,000 to the non-profit organization, covering most of a planned $750,000 restoration project focused on Lucy’s interior.

“We could not be more thrilled that the Senator has adopted us as one of his pets,” Helfant told NBC Philadelphia. The funds will address visible scarring on Lucy’s plaster walls caused by water leakage and will pay for refinished floors, improved fire suppression systems, and upgraded security.

One critical component of the renovation involves replacing Lucy’s outdated climate control system, parts of which are more than 50 years old. “She tends to sweat from the inside out. It’s really, really important that dehumidification is in here to keep the wood sheathing from rotting,” Helfant explained.

America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction

Lucy’s expansion and renovation plans come at a time of surging popularity for the Jersey Shore icon. Last year, USA Today readers named Lucy the Elephant the number one must-see stop on road trips, cementing her status as America’s favorite roadside attraction.

“We’ve seen a tremendous uptick in visitors,” Helfant noted. The attraction typically draws about 40,000 visitors annually, but those numbers have increased following the national recognition. Tourists like Francesca Antonelli, who traveled from Toronto, Canada, expressed enthusiasm for the unique structure: “It’s really big and it’s cool to see. And I just love being inside it.”

Originally constructed in 1881 to promote real estate sales and attract visitors to the area, Lucy has become one of the oldest surviving roadside tourist attractions in the United States. The elephant-shaped building received a $2.5 million exterior restoration between September 2021 and December 2022, part of ongoing efforts to preserve the National Historic Landmark.

Photo Source: MSPhotographic/DepositPhotos

Timeline for Renovations

The interior restoration project is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on progress with the new visitor center. Both initiatives represent significant investments in the landmark’s future, ensuring that Lucy will continue to stand as an iconic piece of the Jersey Shore for generations to come.

Ken Richardson, Vice President and partner at Vantage Commercial, expressed satisfaction with the property acquisition: “The Save Lucy Committee’s vision for the property will greatly enhance the experience for visitors and help preserve the legacy of Lucy the Elephant. This project is a great addition to the Margate City community.”

For those planning a visit this summer, Lucy remains open to the public while preparations for these extensive renovations continue behind the scenes.

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