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Post by Al Alven on Jul 19, 2006 10:17:12 GMT -5
It still stings everytime I see that photo... That's the shot from Smithsonian mag in 2003 I believe, correct Al? That's around the time when I had first gotten heavily involved with DWPL and really had no idea at the time that we were on such thin ice... I remember the board meeting where it was first brought up that a demolition permit had been issued for the Satellite... everyone's jaw dropped... That was sort of the first sign that things were really falling apart... it was one thing to lose a few of the older, non-descript motels... but I always assumed the trophy buildings like the Satellite were safe, already earmarked to be a permanent part of the great Doo Wop revival happening in the Wildwoods... how wrong we were... The Satellite and Schumanns made for a great Doo Wop block... actually that whole strip along the east side of Atlantic Ave was pretty cool with a seemingly endless supply of those trademark mid-century jutting rooflines sticking out, not only on the Satellite and Schumanns, but on the lobby buildings of the Yankee Clipper, Tangiers, Imperial 500 and perhaps a few others I'm forgetting, all in a row... The really sad thing in hindsight... the Satellite actually sold at a price that would have been feasible for a profitable condotel-conversion rather than tear-down, but no one realized it at the time with the prices escalating so rapidly... That is indeed the pic from the Smithsonian mag; “stings” is a very good word to describe my emotions whenever I see this as well, Mike. I share your sentiments. I believe up until the time when word got out that the Satellite was going to be demolished, the Wildwoods still had a feeling of eternal timelessness about it. It seemed like things would not change so radically, save, of course, for the disappearance of some of the lower-profile, “non-descript” places you mentioned. When I heard about the Satellite, I could not believe it. I was so sure that the motel would be saved somehow… I didn’t think this could happen. And then, slowly but surely, more bad news began to creep in. We heard about the Carousel… then the Tahiti… and eventually the Casa Bahama and many others. The offseason of 2004/05 saw the Wildwoods’ landscape changed forever. But, it all happened so fast. Looking back on the situation with the Satellite, as you noted, it’s downright painful to think about what could have been. The Satellite could very easily have gone down as a very successful condotel conversion… and/or a revamped/rejuvenated property a la the Caribbean. Instead, we lost one of the great architectural treasures the Wildwoods had to offer… and so many others; all due to poor, irresponsible planning, IMO. I don’t mean to beat the horse that’s been dead for some time, but I think this bears repeating, because this is a general mistake that I don’t think the Wildwoods can afford to continue to make. |
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Post by hulk007 on Jul 20, 2006 20:49:09 GMT -5
Maybe things can be different with the next crop of (rumored) places to be coming down(Ocean View). Problem is that to save these places you need mucho dinero.
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 21, 2006 8:11:33 GMT -5
I honestly connot believe that developers would even consider buying to the OV and to raze it fr condos. That craze is CLEARLY over and the island has an over abondence of properties now.. Never mind building more..
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Post by Doowopper on Jul 21, 2006 8:14:28 GMT -5
There are other motels for sale I saw in a Real Estate magazine when I was quickly looking through it, so I hope this is all accurate.
The Sea Gull
The Alton
and I believe the Sans.
The Sea Gull IMO is particulary nice and looks well kept. They have an awesome sign as well.
I think the Alton was going for a little less than 2 Million. I'm not sure about the others. The sans was somthing like 1.5 million including a 5 bedroom home, I guess for the motels owners to live. Not that bad of a price if you think about it.
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Post by Al Alven on Jul 21, 2006 11:17:09 GMT -5
There are other motels for sale I saw in a Real Estate magazine when I was quickly looking through it, so I hope this is all accurate. The Sea Gull The Alton and I believe the Sans. The Sea Gull IMO is particulary nice and looks well kept. They have an awesome sign as well. I think the Alton was going for a little less than 2 Million. I'm not sure about the others. The sans was somthing like 1.5 million including a 5 bedroom home, I guess for the motels owners to live. Not that bad of a price if you think about it. Thanks for the info, DW. The Alton and Sans are both "smaller" places, but those numbers still seem pretty low. This is quite telling, as the price likely would could have been as much as double for both two years ago. Mike C. (crazyaboutwildwood) and I discussed the Sea Gull recently. This is a very neat, old motel that doesn't get the recognition it deserves, among many others. |
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Post by Rob Ascough on Jul 21, 2006 12:31:43 GMT -5
I hope the Sea Gull doesn't get destroyed. I love that place for the name alone!
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Post by hulk007 on Jul 21, 2006 15:43:28 GMT -5
The Sea Gull also has the cool stained glass window with the bird in it.
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Post by mistermoney on Jul 21, 2006 19:25:31 GMT -5
If you could only choose one motel to save, which one would it be and why? For those of you who dont know me, I deliver pizza on the weekends for some extra cash.(boat gas isnt free guys) lol. I have the opportunity to vist most, if not all of the motels and hotels on the island. Each doo wop motel has something special. This past weekend, I had the chance to visit the Caribbean for the first time. WOW is all I could say. What a cool place! If you ever get the chance to stay there do it! You will not be disappointed. If I could save one motel, it would be the Caribbean. Why? Because its wildwood doo wop at its best! |
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Post by mistermoney on Jul 21, 2006 19:38:48 GMT -5
I started coming to Wildwood in about 1961 or 1962 with my folks for the Elks convention. The motels were always the draw for me. It was like being on the Jetsons with all the sweeping architechture and neon. The boards, rides and beach were like icing on the cake. I've stayed at dozens of hotel/motels and I'd save 'em all. But if I could just save one it would be the Casa Bahama. I always tried to get one of the two penthouse rooms with the private balcony. (Great for descreet late night private parties... if you know what I mean!!!) These places must be preserved because once they're gone it will be impossible to recreate the magic they radiate. You could duplicate the structures somewhere else but the history will not be there. Death to condo developers!
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Post by MMM on Jul 21, 2006 19:55:25 GMT -5
Welcome!
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Post by FlyinGN on Jul 21, 2006 20:16:50 GMT -5
lol at mr$$!! Welcome!!
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Post by hulk007 on Jul 21, 2006 22:49:10 GMT -5
I like the way you think Mr$$ I would have saved the Casa as well. One of the most unique structures WW ever had.
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Post by mistermoney on Jul 22, 2006 23:12:16 GMT -5
Thank you all for the warm welcome. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help preserve this underrated and overlooked, fantastic piece of Americana.
PEACE!!!
MR. Money
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