Wonderland Pier Could Become A Hotel But Save Ferris Wheel
Big news is shaking up the Ocean City Boardwalk! According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, developer Eustace Mita has unveiled an ambitious redevelopment plan for the site of the now-shuttered Wonderland Pier.
If approved, this plan would introduce a mix of new developments and preservation efforts aimed at breathing new life into this beloved spot.
Wonderland Pier Could Become A Hotel But Save Ferris Wheel
Mita, owner of the ICONA brand of Jersey Shore resorts stretching all the way down to Cape May, is planning to transform the Wonderland Pier space with a 7½-story hotel boasting 252 rooms.
The hotel will be aptly named Icona in Wonderland, a nod to the historic amusement park that operated there for 94 years, originally run by Ocean City’s Mayor, Jay Gillian. In 2021, after Wonderland Pier defaulted on $8 million in loans, it was nearly auctioned off.
Instead, Gillian partnered with Icona Resorts, led by Mita, who took over the property to keep it afloat.
Earlier this summer, it was announced that 2024 would be the last year for Wonderland Pier, with ICONA taking over the property.
At that time, no details were shared about the park’s future, but Mita’s team promised to explore options and update the public on their plans.
According to The Inquirer, Icona in Wonderland will retain some of the Wonderland Pier magic by investing $1.5 million into restoring the historic carousel, as well as relocating and elevating the Ferris wheel. Mita also plans to spend upwards of $1 million on updating the wheel’s lighting package.
As we mention in our Wonderland tour video at the bottom of this article, that Ferris wheel serves as a massive advertisement for the town, visible from the Garden State Parkway.
Ocean City hasn’t seen a new hotel in over five decades, and with the loss of about 70% of its original hotel stock to condominiums and duplexes, Mita views his project as a crucial boost for the area.
He believes this new resort could bring a thousand new visitors to the Boardwalk every three days during the bustling summer season.
It’s important to note that this plan has not yet been formally presented to the zoning and planning board.
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As with most ICONA projects, they tend to release plans publicly first to gauge public opinion.
This approach allows them to avoid investing time and money into a proposal that could potentially be rejected.
One key aspect of the plan involves changing the zoning laws in the area, which has sparked concern among some visitors.
For instance, Lucia Kates remarked, “What’s a boardwalk without piers for kids? This is heartbreaking.”
Since no formal presentation has been made to the Council yet, residents and business owners are left with questions about what this massive project could mean for the beloved Ocean City Boardwalk.
What do you think should happen to Wonderland Pier?
Below is our tour video of Wonderland Pier from last week. Before you watch, please subscribe!