Atlantic City Municipal Airport/Bader Field | New Jersey
For nearly a century, Bader Field was a historic landmark in Atlantic City, New Jersey—once one of the first municipal airports in the United States. But by the time it officially closed in 2006, its runways had long been overshadowed by the needs of modern aviation. As aircraft grew larger and commercial air travel boomed, Bader Field’s limited infrastructure and shorter runways became increasingly obsolete. By the late 1950s, commercial air service had shifted to the newer and better-equipped Atlantic City International Airport. What remained at Bader Field was a slow decline in general aviation operations, until the final departure in September 2006.
In the nearly two decades since its closure, the 143-acre site has remained mostly vacant—a rare expanse of open land on the edge of a city in search of economic revival. Now, two competing visions are vying to transform the property, each carrying multi-billion-dollar price tags and radically different ideas for Atlantic City’s future.
One proposal, backed by a development group called DEEM Enterprises, is known as the Renaissance at Bader Field. This $3.3 billion plan imagines a luxury, auto-centric community built around a 2.44-mile Formula 1-style race track. Far more than just a venue for racing, the track would be integrated into a lifestyle community, with high-end condos—some offering direct track access—alongside retail shops, restaurants, a high-rise hotel, and even a motorsports education center. The developers have emphasized sustainability as a central pillar of the project, promising LEED Platinum buildings, elevated construction to mitigate flooding, and a carbon-neutral energy plan powered by microgrids and hydrogen technology. Mayor Marty Small has publicly endorsed the plan, and a memorandum of understanding between DEEM and city and state officials has been signed, advancing the project toward formal approval.
In contrast, a rival plan known as Casa Mar has been introduced by Tower Investments and Post Brothers, both experienced developers with roots in major urban markets. Their $3 billion proposal seeks to create a canal-inspired, mixed-use community, taking design cues from cities like Amsterdam and Venice. Casa Mar would include as many as 10,000 residential units and 400,000 square feet of office and retail space, all interlaced with waterways, public parks, trails, and pedestrian promenades. Tower and Post Brothers describe it as a “city within a city” that could bring long-term vitality to Atlantic City by attracting year-round residents, not just tourists. They’ve also called for a transparent developer selection process, warning against backroom deals and urging public input before any final decision is made.
As of mid-2025, no final agreement has been signed for either project. The State of New Jersey, which has financial oversight over Atlantic City under a 2016 law, will ultimately determine the future of Bader Field. While the Renaissance project has a head start in terms of political support and formal agreements, Casa Mar’s backers continue to push their vision to the public and the media, arguing for a more inclusive and sustainable model of development.
What’s clear is that Bader Field is no longer just a vacant lot—it’s a blank slate holding the hopes and debates over Atlantic City’s future. Whether it becomes a luxury motorsports hub or a vibrant waterfront community, the next chapter of this iconic site will shape the city’s identity for decades to come.
In the nearly two decades since its closure, the 143-acre site has remained mostly vacant—a rare expanse of open land on the edge of a city in search of economic revival. Now, two competing visions are vying to transform the property, each carrying multi-billion-dollar price tags and radically different ideas for Atlantic City’s future.
One proposal, backed by a development group called DEEM Enterprises, is known as the Renaissance at Bader Field. This $3.3 billion plan imagines a luxury, auto-centric community built around a 2.44-mile Formula 1-style race track. Far more than just a venue for racing, the track would be integrated into a lifestyle community, with high-end condos—some offering direct track access—alongside retail shops, restaurants, a high-rise hotel, and even a motorsports education center. The developers have emphasized sustainability as a central pillar of the project, promising LEED Platinum buildings, elevated construction to mitigate flooding, and a carbon-neutral energy plan powered by microgrids and hydrogen technology. Mayor Marty Small has publicly endorsed the plan, and a memorandum of understanding between DEEM and city and state officials has been signed, advancing the project toward formal approval.
In contrast, a rival plan known as Casa Mar has been introduced by Tower Investments and Post Brothers, both experienced developers with roots in major urban markets. Their $3 billion proposal seeks to create a canal-inspired, mixed-use community, taking design cues from cities like Amsterdam and Venice. Casa Mar would include as many as 10,000 residential units and 400,000 square feet of office and retail space, all interlaced with waterways, public parks, trails, and pedestrian promenades. Tower and Post Brothers describe it as a “city within a city” that could bring long-term vitality to Atlantic City by attracting year-round residents, not just tourists. They’ve also called for a transparent developer selection process, warning against backroom deals and urging public input before any final decision is made.
As of mid-2025, no final agreement has been signed for either project. The State of New Jersey, which has financial oversight over Atlantic City under a 2016 law, will ultimately determine the future of Bader Field. While the Renaissance project has a head start in terms of political support and formal agreements, Casa Mar’s backers continue to push their vision to the public and the media, arguing for a more inclusive and sustainable model of development.
What’s clear is that Bader Field is no longer just a vacant lot—it’s a blank slate holding the hopes and debates over Atlantic City’s future. Whether it becomes a luxury motorsports hub or a vibrant waterfront community, the next chapter of this iconic site will shape the city’s identity for decades to come.