Plaza Condos

Verified Building Facts

• Building Name: Plaza
• Address: 9800 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
• Location Type: Oceanfront
• Location Type: North Ocean City
• Year Built: 1985
• Building Type: High-rise
• Number of Units: 220
• Elevator Access: Yes
• Short Term Rentals: Yes

These facts are provided for informational purposes and should be independently verified during the purchase process.

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About Plaza

Plaza is a 17-story high-rise condominium building constructed in 1985, located at 9800 Coastal Highway in North Ocean City, MD. The building contains 220 units, primarily offering 2- and 3-bedroom layouts. As an oceanfront property, it provides direct views of the water and includes a combination of indoor and outdoor amenities such as pools, a sauna, a hot tub, and dining facilities. The building is professionally managed by an on-site team, providing oversight and support for both residents and owners.

Located on 98th Street within the North Ocean City area known as "High-Rise Row," Plaza is positioned across from the Ocean City Free Public Library and near local landmarks including the Art League of Ocean City and the 94th Street Dog Park. The building accommodates a mix of second-home buyers, part-time residents, and vacation rental owners, supporting both long-term occupancy and short-term rental use. Access features include elevators and assigned parking, facilitating resident convenience in a high-rise environment.

Amenities at Plaza

Plaza offers one of the more comprehensive amenity packages among similar buildings in North Ocean City, combining indoor and outdoor facilities to support both personal use and short-term rentals.

Amenities include:

• Outdoor pool
• Indoor pool
• Seasonal tiki bar
• Restaurant
• Sauna
• Hot tub
• Security

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Floor Plans and Unit Types

Plaza offers a balanced mix of floor plans suited to a range of buyer preferences.

Common unit types include:

• 2-bedroom
• 3-bedroom

Interior layouts, square footage, and finishes vary by unit, floor level, and ownership.

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Grant’s Local Insight on Plaza

Plaza Condominium is one of the ‘newer’ in high-rise row, and another building tied closely to my family’s history. My father, Mark Fritschle, served as the sales manager during its development in the mid-1980s, and the building was designed as a direct challenger to Golden Sands.

While Plaza doesn’t offer the same extensive amenity package, it provides a lot of options, and it made a very intentional tradeoff with the others. There are no small floorplans here. Every residence is either a two-bedroom (with a den) or a full three-bedroom. That decision creates a very different ownership profile and living experience within the building.

The end units on each floor (01-and-13 stacks) are three-bedroom floorplans, and there are also (2) ‘interior’ three-bedroom floorplans tucked into the middle of each floor (the 06 and 08 stacks). Nuggets of information that many people don’t know.

Plaza tends to attract buyers who like the features and lifestyle the Golden Sands offers, while ‘low-key’ in nature, which appeals to many long-term second-home owners and renters alike.

It’s one of those buildings where the people who love it really love it, and they tend to stay. That consistency says a lot about how the building lives.

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Who Plaza Is Best Suited For

Plaza is typically best suited for:

• Vacation-rental investors
• Second-home buyers
• Part-time owner / part-time rental owners
• Families seeking space and amenities
• Buyers prioritizing oceanfront or water views
• Owners planning short-term rentals

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Common Buyer Mistakes at Plaza

Some of the most common mistakes buyers make when evaluating Plaza include:

• Not accounting for seasonal rental variability
• Assuming it functions like a full-service resort
• Not considering building size and density
• Underestimating traffic or seasonal congestion

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Rental and Investment Potential

Short-term rentals are permitted at Plaza, and the building is commonly used for vacation rental purposes in addition to owner occupancy, with generally strong demand for rental units.

The building's oceanfront location, on-site amenities, and high recognition in North Ocean City contribute to its suitability for rental use, though buyers should conduct their own due diligence regarding rental considerations and management.

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HOA Fees and Ownership Details

Homeowner association fees at Plaza vary based on unit size and location. HOA fees generally contribute to building maintenance, amenity upkeep, insurance, management, and common area utilities.

Parking policies, pet rules, and rental guidelines should be reviewed during the contract process, as association policies may evolve over time.

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Plaza Real Estate Market Trends

Plaza experiences a low level of market activity, with interest primarily from buyers seeking oceanfront high-rise properties in North Ocean City. The building's high recognition, comprehensive amenities, and oceanfront location contribute to its appeal among second-home buyers, part-time residents, and vacation rental owners.

Pricing and turnover within Plaza are generally influenced by factors such as unit size, floor level, layout, and the quality of oceanfront views. Buyers typically consider these characteristics when evaluating individual units, alongside the building's scale and available amenities, to determine which options best meet their needs.

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Plaza vs Nearby Condos

Plaza almost always gets compared to Golden Sands and Sea Watch, mostly because they’re neighbors and similar in stature. In fact, when the Plaza was built in the late mid-to-late 1980’s they used a lot of the ‘successes’ at The Golden Sands as a conceptual template for The Plaza. The difference is Plaza eliminated the smaller efficiency and 1BR floorplans entirely. The entire building is essentially the largest floorplan at the Golden Sands, plus bigger. That changes the ownership mix. Compared to Irene, Plaza feels a bit more amenity-focused and less balcony-driven. It’s a younger, newer version of what is essentially a great building(in the Irene). If someone wants high-rise oceanfront but prefers a slightly less intense atmosphere than Golden Sands or Sea Watch, Plaza often floats to the top.

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Buying or Selling a Plaza Property

Last reviewed by Grant Fritschle

Grant Fritschle is a second-generation Ocean City, Maryland real estate professional with nearly three decades of experience specializing in oceanfront, waterfront, and investment properties throughout Ocean City, MD and Fenwick Island, DE. He is known for his deep local knowledge, data informed guidance, and long term client relationships built on transparency and trust.

Last reviewed: February 2026

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