North Wildwood Could Lose Another Motel
Last month, a new application was submitted to North Wildwood’s planning and zoning board, and it’s one that’s sure to stir up mixed feelings in the community.
The application, filed by Beachside Resort, LLC, outlines a significant proposal for their property at 430 East 21st Avenue in North Wildwood–a spot many will recognize as the iconic Ivanhoe Motel.
North Wildwood Could Lose Another Motel
For those unfamiliar with the address, the Ivanhoe Motel, located just steps from the beach, was sold in December 2022 for around $4 million.
Built in 1969, the motel was themed after the 1819 novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, adding a unique historical charm to North Wildwood’s beachside landscape.
Originally, the Ivanhoe Motel opened with just 16 units. Over the years, however, the family who owned the property expanded it to 32 units, even purchasing the house next door to offer additional rental space.
A brochure from 1972 advertised the Ivanhoe as offering “Deluxe two- and four-room apartments with fully equipped kitchens & motel rooms accommodating 2-6 persons. Located in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere, yet near to everything.”
Fifty years later, that description still captures much of what the Ivanhoe offers–peaceful accommodations close to all the action.
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The original family also owned the neighboring Panoramic Motel, and for many years, the two motels were managed as sister properties, sharing guests, staff, and a similar aesthetic. This arrangement continued until 2022, when the family decided to sell.
So, what’s in store for the Ivanhoe Motel now? The answer may surprise long-time fans.
While it seems like every property these days is turning into condos, this project bucks that trend.
According to the application, the new owners are aiming to subdivide the property into five lots for single-family homes.
If approved, this would mark a unique shift for North Wildwood’s motel scene. Instead of condos, which have become the default for redeveloped motels, we could actually see the Ivanhoe’s land transformed into five private family homes.
This shift could mean the end of an era, as the Ivanhoe, with its 1960s charm and family-friendly atmosphere, has been a staple for generations of beachgoers.
If these plans proceed, the Ivanhoe will join a large list of motels lost to new developments.
Unlike many of its counterparts, though, the new vision is not for multi-story condos but individual homes, each offering a piece of North Wildwood to families looking for a beach house of their own.
It needs to be started that even though this application is moving forward, it doesn’t technology mean that the motel could be demolished.
But also, at this time, the booking website for the Ivanhoe has also been removed.
We just hope that if they do plan to demolish, some of it’s signs could be donated to the historical society (as so that we could get one final video tour inside).