May 2007

Ocean Property Supports New Hotels

We read almost daily about how taller hotels will cause problems for the Wildwoods By-the-Sea. As someone who has owned and managed many motels in the resort for nearly a quarter of a century, I strongly disagree. Admittedly, our company brings a different perspective because our principals have managed both local Doo Wop motels and Hiltons, Marriotts, and other franchise hotels of twenty five stories and higher in NJ, PA, and CA. That experience gives us a different view of both the opportunities the buildings offer and the certainty of their success.

People say, “These hotels will change the Wildwoods.” Obviously, they will bring change. They will expand the lodging inventory, look different, extend the season, provide hundreds of jobs and pay a few million dollars in taxes. Wow, who would want that kind of change and growth as the resort moves ahead as the second largest resort destination in the state?

Some people always fear and oppose change. Consider the history of the resort and the same naysayer attitudes that opposed the boardwalk or moving the boardwalk. Many did. Consider the opposition of many when the motel district and Doo Wop motels were built. Now, we appreciate those motels and work to preserve and expand them. In fact, many of the same people now opposing the hotels also opposed the convention center that we now credit with driving the renaissance taking place in this resort we all love and support. The opponents of these changes were wrong then and they are wrong now.

Opposing groups do have something in common. They have little or no knowledge of the business. They are not qualified to decide what will succeed. Some of largest hotel consultants and most respected hotel consultants in the country such as Hotel Valuations Systems have evaluated the opportunities for mixed use and condotel operation and shown by cold, credible numbers that the investments will be sound and successful. In a recent trade publication the Wildwoods By-the-Sea were rated as one of the five “hottest” hotel markets in the country right behind Orlando and Hawaii,… and these folks know what they are talking about.

The hotels complement our existing Doo Wop hotels because they provide advertising, event money and support for an extended season that brings an entirely new group of visitors. South Beach, FL is one of the most successful resorts on the coast and it is a mix of seventeen blocks of Art Deco hotels and a mile of new high-rise hotels. The Art Deco district from the inlet to about Seventeenth Street is bustling because of the two types of properties complement and strengthen the market for each other. Grow the pie, expand the market, and extend the season with larger full service condotel properties and our Doo Wop motels will be even more successful.

The buildings are designed to be exciting. Lots of neon, exciting colors and facades, creative pools and lobbies. They are “fun” and the Wildwoods By-the-Sea are famous for providing that Wildwood fun experience to generations of visitors. These buildings will add color and excitement to the skyline as you drive across the Rio Grande Avenue Bridge. Are those who oppose this exciting development bad people? No. They are people who are concerned about the resort but they are wrong and it is time we say so.

Dan MacElrevey
Ocean Property Management Corporation

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