Doo Wop Heroes

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Doo Wop Heroes

A salute to those who keep the spirit of Doo Wop alive in the Wildwoods

Will Morey Sr.

Wilbert C. Morey's contributions, as urban planner, designer, builder and entertainment entrepreneur defined much of the future of the Wildwoods and the Jersey Shore, and laid the foundation for generations to come. His vision of modern amusement piers and waterparks juxtaposed in a traditional seaside boardwalk setting caused revolutionary changes in the amusement industry. His design and construction of nearly thirty of the Wildwood's most themed and flamboyant motels Doo Wop motels, recognized today as classics of American resort architecture, set the stage for what is today a themed public/private resort destination.

Wilbert "Will" Morey reinvented the beach and boardwalk into a cultural icon, inspired by
Miami Beach, Disney and Germany's "Octoberfest," fashioning memories for millions
of American vacationers.

Never losing sight of the guest experience, Wilbert Morey created a synergy between his accommodations and amusement piers to transform the entire resort known collectively as the Wildwoods into a themed resort destination. This, in turn, which set the stage for today's master plan and tourism districts which are central to quality of life for residents and the economic
vitality of the Wildwoods.

"You can go backward or forward, but you can't stand still," Wilbert Morey would say. And as he moved forward, he brought the Wildwoods along for the ride.
* This document was used for the IAAPA Hall Of Fame Award

Steven Izenour, AIA (1940 - 2001)

A renowned architect, urban planner and pop culture historian, Steve Izenour was regarded as the "great validator" of the Doo Wop movement in The Wildwoods, and led the architectural studies of the island in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, and Kent State universities in the late 1990s, inspiring the Doo Wop movement that has come to define the Wildwoods today.

Izenour was a principal with Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates (VSBA) since 1969. He was an active participant in all architectural and urban design projects and played a leading role in the programming and schematic design phases of most of the firm's major architectural projects. He earned a substantial repuatation for combining outstanding design ability and expertise in communication technologies with a special sensitivity to their use in environmental and historical contexts. These skills have been an important component of VSBA's award-winning urban design and historic district projects.

According to a 2002 article by Melissa Milgrom in Metropolis Magazine, "Izenour spent years studying the idiosyncratic charms of this town [The Wildwoods] on a barrier island just north of Cape May: its nonarchitect-designed motels, its brash neon signs, and especially its autostrip. His "Learning from the Wildwoods" architecture studios at Yale, University of Pennsylvania, and Kent State brought national attention to this town that time forgot and helped legitimize a mom-and-pop movement to promote tourism without selling out to Disney."

"Without Izenour's interest in our resort, it is entirely possible that the theme with which the Wildwoods are now most commonly recognized--Doo Wop--would have been perceived as nothing more than a collection of aging plastic palm trees and outdated buildings," wrote Jeannine Yecco of the Wildwood Gazette Leader.

Pacific and Rio Grande Avenues
V.I.P. Motel After several years of standing in darkness, the V.I.P. motel’s green neon rooftop sign shines brightly again, lighting up the Wildwood Crest night sky, as the dedicated owners of this two-story classic in the heart of the Doo Wop District have restored the sign’s previously damaged neon tubing. Congrats!
The Shalimar Motel This classic 1962 property was purchased in 2001 by the Tenaglias who in 2005 completed an extensive renovation and expansion of the motel while maintaining and building upon its trademark mid-century features, including zig-zag balconies.
Sand Dune Motel The Sand Dune Motel in Wildwood Crest, a block-long beachfront classic from the 1960s, added a new neon rooftop sign to replace its old one which had been damaged and removed for the past several seasons. The sign's playful, orange lettering takes its cues from the Sand Dune's original sign!
Lollipop Motel The famous Lollipop Motel and its can't-miss roadside sign were purchased in 2004 by a new ownership group that has converted the building into a condominium-motel while preserving the motel's original colorful features and theme.
American Safari Motel The American Safari, Aztec and Gondolier Motels in Wildwood Crest - now owned and operated by the same family - have spruced up their Doo Wop features including bright neon signs and colorful wall murals that highlight each motel's unique theme.
Recent renovations at the 1960s-era Park Lane have added a sleek, contemporary look to the property while retaining it's classic Doo Wop features like zig-zag balconies and decorative brick wall. Plastic palms and a blue-tiled waterfall add even more pizazz!
The Cape Cod Inn recently added an additional floor of suites to its original 1960s-era motel while preserving the motel's famous spinning-lighthouse neon sign.
Regarded as the Wildwoods' quintissential icon of Doo Wop, the Caribbean's new owners have undertaken a meticulous effort to fully restore and renovate this 1957 landmark and its unique architectural features.
This original Doo Wop-era motel was converted to a condominium-motel in the 1980s (while continuing to operate as a motel). Its present condo association has decided to adopt the Doo Wop motif for exterior renovations while preserving original features like the motel's rooftop neon sign.
To keep the vintage look alive while modernizing, the owners of the Bel Air Motel in Wildwood Crest recently added a new replica of the motel's original rooftop neon sign
A new Acme supermarket is coming to Wildwood and it will sport cool Doo Wop colors and design features including angled rooflines and a large, retro-inspired sign
The Armada Motel recently rehabbed the vertical sign that hangs on the Ocean Ave side of their building with new colors and neon, along with the classic "by the sea" moniker to reflect the Doo Wop era.
One of the Wildwoods' original Polynesian-themed motels, the Ala Kai in Wildwood Crest has preserved its vintage "tiki" look and recently refurbished its original bamboo-lettered neon sign, with a newly restored hula girl in the center!
The American Safari, Aztec and Gondolier Motels in Wildwood Crest - now owned and operated by the same family - have spruced up their Doo Wop features including bright neon signs and colorful wall murals that highlight each motel's unique theme.