North Wildwood’s Chateau Bleu Meets the Wrecking Ball
Another piece of Doo Wop-era history has officially come down in North Wildwood.
The Chateau Bleu Motel, located at 911 Surf Avenue, has met the wrecking ball, continuing a trend of mid-century motels being demolished to make way for new development in the Wildwoods.
Demolition crews arrived this past week to begin tearing down the once-colorful, two-story structure that had been a staple of summer memories for generations of vacationers.
Built during the height of Wildwood’s motel boom, the Chateau Bleu was a classic example of 1960s Doo Wop architecture – featuring angled railings, a retro sign, and bright pastel blues that lived up to its name.
Families flocked to this Surf Avenue spot year after year, drawn in by its proximity to the beach, heated pool, and welcoming mom-and-pop vibe.
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Its Instagram-worthy neon sign and vintage charm made it a standout among North Wildwood’s sea of modern condos – until now.
The Wildwood Video Archive stopped by the Chateau Bleu prior to the demolition to give you one more tour. You can watch that video at the bottom of this article.
In these photos provided to us via Wildwood’s Ways, crews have demolished the North Side of the motel leaving just the East side standing. According to crews, by the end of this week, the entire building will be flattened and work to start on removing other features of the property.
The land is being cleared to make way for three single-family homes. The North Wildwood Zoning Board approved the project in a 7-2 vote last month.
Even though this motel was so significant that it was added on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, it still fell. This has brought up the conversation about how we can keep these motels around longer rather then see them demolished.
The demolition of Chateau Bleu is more than just the loss of a building – it’s a signal of the ongoing transformation in the Wildwoods, where nostalgia and modern development continue to clash.
North Wildwood’s Chateau Bleu Meets the Wrecking Ball
As more vintage motels are cleared away, the island’s mid-century charm risks being replaced with a uniform skyline of gray and white condos.
For fans of Wildwood’s past, now is the time to document, remember, and celebrate these architectural gems – before they’re gone.
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