Old Phillip’s building

Question

I was riding my bike by the old Phillip’s building and wondered if there are any plans. I know the restaurant that took over (Chesapeake something?) didn’t do well

Shame such a cool and historic building is collecting dust

Answer

You’re right — the old building (the “Old Phillip’s building” that you passed on your bike) has had a lot of uncertain years since the restaurant closed.

Here’s what is publicly known about its status and possible future — and why it might look like it’s “collecting dust.”

✅ What we know:

Phillips Crab House permanently closed in December 2021 after 66 years as a landmark Ocean City institution.
The property was sold — the Phillips family decided to focus their remaining businesses elsewhere.
In September 2023, the local planning and zoning commission approved a plan to convert the former restaurant building into a multi-family housing project. The plan calls for several 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, plus one manager’s unit.

⏳ What that means today (and why it may look inactive):

The conversion to housing is approved, but redevelopment can take time — permitting, design, financing, and construction scheduling could mean months (or even over a year) of inactivity. That may be why the building still looks “on hold.”
This kind of adaptive reuse often involves structural upgrades, interior demolition, and bringing the building up to residential code — not a quick turnaround. So while there *is* a plan, it may not be immediately apparent from the outside.

What to keep an eye on if you care about its future:

Check local news for progress — sometimes redevelopment is delayed or re-envisioned. A pause could mean a new plan or complications.
Watch for “for rent” or “coming soon” signs, especially off-season or in the next development cycle.
If the building does get converted to multi-family housing, it could bring new local residents rather than a business — which could be good for preserving the building’s shell, but the “historic restaurant” vibe will be gone.

My take: The fact that there *are* approved redevelopment plans is encouraging — the building isn’t forgotten, and the plan for housing offers a likely path forward. That said, it’s also understandable that it seems abandoned now: these transitions often take time, and economic or regulatory hurdles can slow them further.

Old Phillip’s building

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