| Significance of the Caribbean |
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The Caribbean Motel is arguably the most sophisticated and well preserved example of design from the “Doo-
Wop” architectural era dominant in Wildwood, New Jersey during the 1950’s. The Caribbean was one of the
first motels of the period and was designed and built primarily by people and companies local to Wildwood.
Doo-Wop motels of the period were characterized by their 1) utilitarian site organization, 2) dramatic
architectural features 3) signature signage and 4) themed elements. The Caribbean represents an
assemblage of the best of these elements.
The Caribbean’s guest rooms are organized into a simple, generic footprint. The site has been carefully
planned to maximize the arrangement of guest rooms while considering views to the ocean and providing the
most possible opportunities for parking.
Wildwood’s development as a destination was largely spawned by the growth of the automobile as a means
of transportation. The Caribbean is designed to respond to the scale of the automobile and the pedestrian.
The large neon signage and elevated lounge element are icons to automobile traffic along Ocean Avenue,
particularly when illuminated by night. The open motel balconies display the activity of the entire motel to the
street for people to see. This enlivens the streetscape at the pedestrian level by drawing interest and attention
from passers by.
The understated architecture of the motel block is relieved by the addition of an angled cornice which wraps
the building and accentuates its horizontal lines. The simplicity motel block allows the elevated lounge, gently
curving ramp and oversized neon signage to dominate the design composition. These elements define the
Caribbean as a piece of architecture and as an icon in Wildwood.
Wop” architectural era dominant in Wildwood, New Jersey during the 1950’s. The Caribbean was one of the
first motels of the period and was designed and built primarily by people and companies local to Wildwood.
Doo-Wop motels of the period were characterized by their 1) utilitarian site organization, 2) dramatic
architectural features 3) signature signage and 4) themed elements. The Caribbean represents an
assemblage of the best of these elements.
The Caribbean’s guest rooms are organized into a simple, generic footprint. The site has been carefully
planned to maximize the arrangement of guest rooms while considering views to the ocean and providing the
most possible opportunities for parking.
Wildwood’s development as a destination was largely spawned by the growth of the automobile as a means
of transportation. The Caribbean is designed to respond to the scale of the automobile and the pedestrian.
The large neon signage and elevated lounge element are icons to automobile traffic along Ocean Avenue,
particularly when illuminated by night. The open motel balconies display the activity of the entire motel to the
street for people to see. This enlivens the streetscape at the pedestrian level by drawing interest and attention
from passers by.
The understated architecture of the motel block is relieved by the addition of an angled cornice which wraps
the building and accentuates its horizontal lines. The simplicity motel block allows the elevated lounge, gently
curving ramp and oversized neon signage to dominate the design composition. These elements define the
Caribbean as a piece of architecture and as an icon in Wildwood.