Jolly Roger Information

[hulk007]

Here's hoping the Jolly Roger can hang in for at least the 2007 season.

[thelastresort]

fuzzyscorpio said:

the JR looks more dated to me than most motels down there, and probably is one of the oldest. It lacks curb appeal at this point from Atlantic Ave, IMO, but from the beach side, and from inside the lobby as of a couple of years ago, I thought it still had the aura of a fun place to stay and seemed in good condition.

Apologies to any fans out there --- but It looks even worse next to the spankin' new condos on both sides, not the "vinyl siding" jobs, but much more upscale ones with nice detailing, white picketing, etc. Like comparing Mater to Lightning McQueen. No offense to anyone, but it probably needs to go, it just doesn't fit in anymore with what's happened to everything surrounding it. And in my opinion, Ocean Ave is the cornerstone of the island, it's got to look good, or at least consistent. Maybe if they paint the JR white and throw a TON of money into it, they can blend it. But right now, it looks like the house on the block nobody wants.

[Al Alven]

thelastresort said:

fuzzyscorpio said:

the JR looks more dated to me than most motels down there, and probably is one of the oldest. It lacks curb appeal at this point from Atlantic Ave, IMO, but from the beach side, and from inside the lobby as of a couple of years ago, I thought it still had the aura of a fun place to stay and seemed in good condition.

Apologies to any fans out there --- but It looks even worse next to the spankin' new condos on both sides, not the "vinyl siding" jobs, but much more upscale ones with nice detailing, white picketing, etc. Like comparing Mater to Lightning McQueen. No offense to anyone, but it probably needs to go, it just doesn't fit in anymore with what's happened to everything surrounding it. And in my opinion, Ocean Ave is the cornerstone of the island, it's got to look good, or at least consistent. Maybe if they paint the JR white and throw a TON of money into it, they can blend it. But right now, it looks like the house on the block nobody wants.

I agree with you that the Jolly Roger really stands out now, more so than ever, but I don't see this as a bad thing (for the motel or the resort as a whole).

The fact that it looks out of place, to me, only heightens its practical value. The JR might look "dated" in some respects and it might not be a "cutting edge" resort destination, but it is still in fine working order and serves its purpose well.

I would naturally love to see the owners (whoever they are, exactly) pump more money into renovations and improvements, but even as it is, I would much rather see the JR continue to operate than be replaced by... well, you know...

... whether it "fits in" or not.

[thelastresort]

I hear ya Al, but now thinking about it more, I really don't know if the JR could even be considered "doo wop". I suppose when I think of the term, I think of the 50's style motel, like the Rio, Carousel, and countless others. But except for a snazzy sign, the JR is really just a plain jane, not much characteristic of 50's motel architecture at all.

[Al Alven]

Well, I don't know if any of us will ever be in total agreement as to the parameters that define a building as "Doo Wop." That's one of the prime little inner-debates I've been torturing myself with while working on my website.

But, for the purpose of this conversation, I still think that the JR is about as "Doo Wop" as it gets. In the very least, it's a distinctly "Wildwood" structure, which showcases a lot of the great hallmarks of mid-century architecture.

Take a closer look at some of the motel's features:

- Clean geometric lines and structural symmetry on all floors and sides of the motel; very underrated elements

- Signature "50s" style brick design in two forms (not exactly sure what the "official name for these patterns are, but you see them with many structures built during that time)

- The hovering canopy out front (certainly nowhere near as dramatic as, say, the main feature of the old Fantasy Motel, but notable regardless)

- Leaning glass walls/windows

- Angled balconies

- Elaborate, original railing designs (another thing that adds a small, but powerful touch)

On top of that, there is the overall "theme" of the motel -- the inclusion of some signature neon and the tacky, gaudy addition of the pirate guy on the roof.

Perhaps the JR doesn't get the recognition it deserves from some because it is set back so far from the street. fuzzy mentioned its lack of "curb appeal," and perhaps that is what she meant by that.

But, either way, this is another one of those gems that deserves to be maintained and protected. It might not seem like anything special at a first, quick glance, but there is much more to it than what immediately meets the eye.

[thelastresort]

I'm sorry, I just don't see it that way, but it's ok that we agree to disagree on this.

Man, I wish I took a picture, I was looking right at it on the bikepath too, by comparison, in my opinion it looks terrible in the middle of all that new construction. I think it should go.

[Rob Ascough]

Personally, I never found the appeal of the Jolly Roger. As thelastresport said, it is a fairly uneventful building- it lacks the blatant "wackiness" of some of the island's more popular Doo Wop examples. That said, I haven't ever looked too closely at the building and I'm sure Al knows what he is talking about. If those details do exist, I feel it is most definitely Doo Wop.

I wonder if a few minor modifications like a new neon sign and perhaps the addition of some color to the building would help it look a little better? Even though it's not close to being one of my favorites, since it seems to be a well-liked property I would hate to see it removed from the landscape.

Doesn't the JR sit on an entire block? Would there be space for more parking spaces if another floor was added? I believe it's one of the only two story motels in the area, right?

[Doowopper]

Even if the Jolly Roger isn't all that new and flashy now, it could be made that way. A fresh coat of paint (aqua maybe) and some other new details could bring it up to a new level, so long as the interior gets renovated as well.

Wether it fits in or not, losing it would be bad because that's another less motel on the island, and that would add to the anti-tourist feel that has taken over parts of the island, such as behind Bal Harbour. I just feel misplaced there now, and you certainly don't want that happening on the main drag of the Doo-Wop Historic District.

I don't think we have the luxury anymore to be picky about what motels don't fit in and can go. The best bet is for as many motels as possibe to be renovated, and preserved. Having favorite motels is great, and no liking some is ok as well. But remember, someone out there loves the Jolly Roger like a second home, and it's the collection of motels that make them all worth preserving. Without the collection it is all pointless.

I believe almost every motel is a success story waiting to happen. Sadly most just don't get the chance to become one.

[thelastresort]

I suppose, my thoughts are that something forward-looking needs to be done, and soon, or in the next 5 years, all of these grandiose plans surrounding the new convention center will go down the toilet. This goes particularly for Ocean ave near the convention center.

Sure, it would have been nice if the original structures were updated, like the Caribbean, but since the horse is now out of the barn, I think existing structures need to be viewed in relation to their current surroundings, etc., not a fictitious past. And some places, like the Oceanic, are beyond hope in any event.

In my opinion, the JR in its current condition does not look good among the new construction. Actually, I think having this random hodge-podge of new and old next to each other (ala Eden Roc) does a disservice to the layout of the island, and validates the suspicion that there is indeed no "plan".

And if the island needs more motel rooms than condos, what would be so bad about putting up a few like this


www.orlando-hotels-classify.com/hampton-inn-convention-center/front.jpg

which have a nice new airbrushed look, and also have modest rates? I chose this one specifically for its look and feel. I'm not saying repopulate the entire island with these joints, but a couple of these along Ocean near the convention center would be a vast improvement over what is there now, in my opinion.

[Rob Ascough]

You ARE right about now being the time to do something. As the old saying goes, "strike when the iron is hot", right? If the island is screaming for development, right now that should be a priority. Arriving late to a party with a keg of beer means all that will happen is that you wake up hung over the next morning.

But the way I see it, the Jolly Roger is a decent hotel when decent hotels are needed. To get rid of it just because it doesn't fit doesn't make a lot of sense. A lot of things in Wildwood don't necessarily "fit" but because of that, it all feels rather cohesive. As Doowopper and myself suggested, maybe some upgrades to the property would pay off big in the end, more than knocking it down and replacing it.

[ModLinda]

JMHO - none of the cool, old hotels fit in with the new, ugly, styleless monstrocities that keep springing up like weeds. I'm glad it doesn't fit in! It does need some landscaping, however.

[hulk007]

Have not heard any info on the jolly roger for awhile. Is it safe to say at this point it will be around for 2007?

[hulk007]

I guess no news is good news.

[Al Alven]

From everything I've been hearing lately, it sounds like the Jolly Roger is going nowhere. I guess we still can't be certain about the motel's longterm future, but it looks like it will all but definitely operate for the 2007 season.

[hulk007]

Thanks Al, I kind of figured it would be staying put. Just wanted to get an official word.