North Wildwood Motel Is Going Condo

A few weeks ago the Wildwood Video Archive broke the news that a North Wildwood motel had closed.

At that time there was no word on what was happening to the building but now we do.

Over the last few years, the Wildwoods have undergone a significant transformation that differs from the condo boom of 2005.

Rather than tearing down motels to make room for unattractive condo buildings, they are being repurposed into a new style of architecture called Condotel. This innovative approach involves transforming existing motels into condominiums, and it has been adopted by numerous motels in the Wildwoods.

This has become a fan favorite for visitors and historians alike who want to see some of the Mid-century Doo Wop buildings saved.

It turns out that the Harbor Light Family Resort will become one of these Condotels.

Located at 301 Ocean Ave in North Wildwood, the news of the building going condo came via a realtor’s Facebook post that went on to say;

“The Wait Is Over! Units Are Going Fast! Come See Colleen Sowers And Patty Burke On Saturday, 3/18/23, Between 10 am-4 pm For A Personal Tour During Our Open House!”

Also see: Cape Square Entertainment Center Gets an Opening Date

There are currently 44 units for sale starting a $189,000. According to the listing the building includes on-site parking, two pools, sundecks, a laundry room, storage, elevators, and on-site rental management.

The Harbor Light had been owned by Carl Del Monte and Rosalie DiGiuseppe since they built the building back in 1979.

After spending their summers in North Wildwood, Carl Del Monte and Rosalie DiGiuseppe got married in 1973 and settled in Northeast Philadelphia to start a family.

However, in 1977, Carl was robbed at gunpoint twice, which prompted them to move to the Wildwoods permanently. Initially, they had planned to open an ice cream business, but instead, they ended up building the Harbor Light Motor Inn.

Despite having no prior experience in the motel industry, they decided to take a risk and sell everything they had to construct the motel.

The news of the closing came on their Facebook page which said;

“To all of our customers, we would like to inform you that after 43 years the Harbor Light Family Resort has been sold and will no longer operate as a motel.”

Those looking for the Del Monte Family, they will continue to operate the Matador Oceanfront Resort located at 16th and The Beach in North Wildwood.”

Check out these other Wildwood videos and articles.