Work is just getting under way to demolish the huge arena portion of the Casino at the south end of the boardwalk.

That eastern section of the landmark 1929 building, long in shambles with little roof left and trees growing inside, will be razed and rebuilt, Asbury Partners officials said. The arcade section, reopened between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove in 2005, will stay intact.

"The building is a beautiful architectural icon on the oceanfront with a fallen-in roof," said Uri Kahanow, director of retail for Asbury Partners, on Friday. "There are mixed emotions, but obviously when the new structure comes up; it will have a very similar resemblance."

The demolition is part of a three-to-four-month project. The project also should include a new roof on the adjacent heating plant, which is to be renovated.

Details on Asbury Partners' plans are expected to be made public in the next two weeks.

Jonathan Millman, a new spokesman hired by the company, said Friday that the first steps will be the removal of asbestos and architectural elements to be saved and stabilizing the wall on the east side of the arcade.

The project will see the hazardous material removed from both the Casino building and the power plant, followed by the demolition of the arena, Millman said.

"Right now, we're focusing on the Casino, and then at some point, we'll put a new roof on the power plant," Kahanow said.

The Casino, designed by Warren and Wetmore, the architects who designed New York's Grand Central Station, was built on the south end of the boardwalk in 1929 at the same time the existing Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre complex was constructed on the north end.