Save the Chateau Bleu Motel Before It’s Too Late!
A North Wildwood landmark is under threat, and we need your help to stop its demolition!
The City of North Wildwood is currently reviewing an application that could spell the end for one of the area’s most iconic motels.
The proposal, which will go before the North Wildwood Planning Board, seeks to approve a minor subdivision at 911 Surf Avenue, where an unused motel building currently stands.
If approved, this plan would allow for the construction of three single-family homes—at the cost of losing a crucial piece of Wildwood’s history.
If you haven’t looked up the address yet, this is the home of the Chateau Bleu Motel.
A Piece of Wildwood’s Doo Wop History at Risk
The Chateau Bleu Motel is a rare and remarkable example of mid-20th-century “Doo Wop” or Googie architecture. Built in 1962, it boasts a distinctive design that includes a heart-shaped swimming pool and a retro-style sign that captures the charm of a bygone era.
The motel was constructed during Wildwood’s golden age of tourism, a period fueled by the opening of the Garden State Parkway in 1955.
This wave of development turned The Wildwoods into a mecca for vacationers, giving rise to vibrant neon-lit motels that embodied the fun and futuristic spirit of the 1950s and 60s. Wildwood became known as the Doo Wop Capital of the World, and the Chateau Bleu Motel remains one of the last standing testaments to that era.
Also See: Exit Zero Filling Station in Cape May Listed for Sale
Officially Recognized, but Still in Danger
In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the Chateau Bleu Motel was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on March 25, 2004. However, despite this designation, the current proposal would see the motel demolished to make way for three new single-family homes.
This is an alarming trend that has been happening across the Wildwoods. If we don’t act now, another vital piece of our town’s identity will be lost forever.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
A public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 901 Atlantic Avenue, North Wildwood.
We urge all residents, history enthusiasts, and preservation advocates to attend this meeting—whether in person, through an agent, or with legal representation—to voice their opposition to this plan. The Chateau Bleu Motel is not just an old building; it’s a piece of our shared history, a reminder of what made Wildwood special in the first place.
How Can We Save the Chateau Bleu?
While being on the NRHP does not automatically prevent demolition, there are steps that can be taken to protect the motel. Owners of historic properties can receive tax credits and preservation grants that incentivize restoration over destruction. But none of this will happen unless we fight to make our voices heard!
Don’t let another piece of Wildwood history disappear. Join us at the meeting, spread the word, and help save the Chateau Bleu Motel before it’s too late!