Wildwood Doo Wop.com

While the Crest lost many high-profile motels during the 'condo boom' of the early 2000s, several others disappeared very quietly and with little fanfare. The diminutive Avanti, unfortunately, was one of the latter.

The Holly Court complex, which ran east to west from Ocean to Atlantic Ave. at Baker Ave. in Wildwood proper, was a series of rambling bungalows. Not a motel, in its purest sense, but still typical of the mid-century architecture and commericial lodging landscape of the Wildwoods at the onset of the "Doo Wop" era.

One of the Wildwoods' more unique structures, the Singapore is highlighted by its centerpiece structure, which was built to resemble a "pagoda temple." Signage for the motel is provided by an interior lit sign to the south of the motel. An Asian style fence protects the pool from parking. The Singapore was renovated and inappropiately repainted prior to the 2005 season.

The Cape Cod, renowned for its classic spinning lighthouse rooftop sign, has long been regarded as one of the premiere motels in the Crest. Located in the Doo Wop Historic District. The motel is owned and operated by the Graiff family, which built and opened it back in 1966. The Graiffs originally owned the Pink Champagne Motel, on Atlantic Ave. in Wildwood proper. In a Nor' easter storm in early 2008, the Cape Cod's lighthouse on its spinning sign was damaged and removed. Plans to repair the lighthouse on the sign have been minimal, but the sign continues to spin and light up Wildwood Crest's Ocean Avenue strip.

For decades, the starburst-shaped neon emblem of the 24th Street Motel served as a beacon to travelers and a familiar landmark to locals near the southern end of North Wildwood's Surf Avenue strip. After nearly a half-century of proud operation, the motel closed its doors for the final time in September of 2005. It was promptly demolished in favor of new condominiums.

The Crusader was designed in 1968 by Clement F. Wasleski, Jr., who had received his architecture degree from University of Pennsylvania in 1956. The motel's theme is reinforced by a crenellated wall along Ocean Avenue, as well as by a colossal representation of a medieval figure and shield. Unusual that it has a pool on the second floor for a better view of the ocean.

Often acknowleged as the first motel in the Wildwoods, Jay's was a motor court-style complex, consisting of one and two-story, stucco-clad buildings. It was built by Lou and Will Morey, who were inspired by similar designs they encountered on trips to Florida in the late 40s and early 50s. The structures were ultimately demolished in favor of new development in 2004.

Nice understated in design, the Ocean Spray was one of the perfect ocean view spots in North Wildwood. It was flanked on either side by The Coral Reef Motel on 7th and John F Kennedy Drive, and it's near twin Cozy Morely's (now the Alante Motor Inn) on 9th. The Ocean Spray had a blue and white theme which originally incorporated curved railings and palm trees with a street side light up sign. Amenities included a pool and shuffleboard, color TVs were wall mounted and every room came with director's chairs on their outside porches. It was demolished around 2000 and condos have since been built in it's place.

The Taffy Walk is a proposed six-story "condotel," which would replace the old Doris Vernon Hotel on the 300 block of E. Pine Avenue.

* Please note that the 2009 opening date is a speculative estimation at this point in time.

Though one might not suspect as much in looking at it today, the Ship Ahoy is regarded as one of the forerunners of the 'Doo Wop' motel-style movement in the Wildwoods. The structure debuted on the northwest corner of Ocean and Taylor back in 1939 (today the site of the Aquarius Motor Inn). It was later moved to its current location, on Washington Ave., just west of New Jersey Ave.