Carriage Stop set to bite the dust?

[fuzzyscorpio]

Went to see what was new/changed at the Oceanside Realty site, and the first commercial listing for WWC is now the Carriage Stop Motel. The listing says the current structure has 34 units and that there are "preliminary approvals" for 24 units. It refers you to a special sale page on the motel's Web site, which advises that "the best use of the property is new construction" and shows an "approved" site plan. Price tag: $7.5 mil.

www.carriagestopmotel.com/SALE.HTM

www.teamoceanside.com/SearchSales.asp

(select "commercial/industrial" on the "class" dropdown menu and Wildwood Crest on the "city" dropdown menu)

Just recently someone here posted enthusiastically about how well kept the Carriage Stop was... which figures. It's already a condo, I didn't know that, but at least it still presents the face of the "Carriage Stop Motel" to the public. Maybe not for much longer.

It was built in 1959. I can vaguely remember being annoyed when it went up because I felt it was crowding my beloved Atlantis Lodge, which sat (and still sits in nearly original form) on the beachfront behind it, and because I didn't care for its particular Early American flavor of kitsch. Now, of course, my perspective is somewhat different...

[crazyaboutwildwood]

The owners of the Carriage stop are 2 young men. I cant remember there names but they also own the Variety Casino. I was the one who did the write up on the Carriage Stop. I have heard for years that they wanted to tear it down but nothing ever happens. I will have to ask chris at the variety whats going on. i t will be Sad if this place gets torn down. It really has nice rooms. it is a great location. The pool is beautiful etc etc etc..............

[hulk007]

I stayed at the Pyramid last week which rught across the street from the Carriage stop. The asking price is 7 mil from what I heard. Have the place, from what what I heard is already condoed out. I remember hearing last year that something was going to happen. Hopefully they could change this to condos as the place is quite large and the rooms look like they would be perfect for condo conversion.

[Al Alven]

Does anyone know of any motels that have undergone the "condo conversion" and then been demolished at a later date?

Here's hoping that the Carriage Stop continues to operate as is. Sounds like it's future is really up in the air, though.

[hulk007]

I also hope it soldiers on as condos but these days you never know. On the CS website it says the place would be best served as new constuction.

[Al Alven]

hulk007 said:

I also hope it soldiers on as condos but these days you never know. On the CS website it says the place would be best served as new constuction.

That's really sad. It should really say "The best use of the property is more bland, cost-conscious construction, devoid of any of the character of the original building."

[hulk007]

I was also shcked to here that the Town House across the strett is private condos. You can't even rent them out. I wonder if the La Vita will also be private. Aside from the sign the place looks all together different.

[Al Alven]

hulk007 said:

I was also shcked to here that the Town House across the strett is private condos. You can't even rent them out. I wonder if the La Vita will also be private. Aside from the sign the place looks all together different.

Ideally, it would be great to see all of these places remain "public" entities.

But, I guess if this is what it takes to save some of these buildings (private ownership), then that's the lesser of two evils.

By a considerable margin.

[hulk007]

Al, do you recall what place was behind the CS across the street from the Apollo. Is wasn't the Town and Country was it?

[hulk007]

if it makes anyone feel better the owners of the pyramid and the Apollo turned down large sums of money. So those 2 places will be staying put.

[Al Alven]

hulk007 said:

Al, do you recall what place was behind the CS across the street from the Apollo. Is wasn't the Town and Country was it?

Off the top of my head, I'm not sure.

My family never stayed in the Crest when I was younger, so that area isn't/wasn't as familiar to me as parts of the northern parts of the island.

I'll have to think about it and look over a few photos, and I'll definitely have an answer... though, someone will probably know in the meantime.

I know the Town & Country was somewhere in that area, for sure.

[hulk007]

I drove past where the 24th street was. Man, talk about looking different, they really sucked all the character out of that area. Good thing the hawaiian rumble is still standing as a reference point. Otherwise I would forget where I was!

[Al Alven]

hulk007 said:

if it makes anyone feel better the owners of the pyramid and the Apollo turned down large sums of money. So those 2 places will be staying put.

That's excellent news.

Both motels always look great, and you can tell that the owners take a lot of pride in their businesses.

Did you talk to the owners of both, Hulk?

[Al Alven]

hulk007 said:

I drove past where the 24th street was. Man, talk about looking different, they really sucked all the character out of that area. Good thing the hawaiian rumble is still standing as a reference point. Otherwise I would forget where I was!

It's a whole new world up there, for sure.

I cruised by that area last month, and can't believe how much has changed. Actually, I think that the condo structures taking the place of the Thunderbird aren't that bad. Still, I'd rather them not be in that area.

The buildings replacing the Flame, Packard, 24th St., Ocean East, Palm Crest, etc., etc., etc., are all bland and entirely forgetable.

Such a real shame, in what was once one of the most vibrant areas on the island, IMO.

[hulk007]

While staying at the Pyramid I got info. That place recently changed owners and the women is not selling(would not even consider it) And here's something to think about the motels that do tough things out will benefit because they will be able to raise their rates and still be able to fill up. So its the end these motel owners will rewarded for not selling.