Hollywood Ave. & The Beach
Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
(609) 522-2939
While the Crest has always been best known for its incomparable collection of architecturally-diverse mid-century motels, the Captain's Table stood out as a 'Doo Wop' classic in its own right. Yet another of Lou Morey's unique inventions, it consistenly earned rave reviews (including several Zagat ratings) as one of the top seafood restaurants at the Jersey Shore. Unfortunately, it fell along with scores of the island's motels during the condo boom of the early 2000s.
Though it opened roughly 15 years before the 'Doo Wop Era' began, the Casino could rightfully have claimed to be a forerunner of the futuristic architectural styles that would later emerge, wowing patrons with one of the earliest examples of Art Moderne design. This was actually the third version of the Casino, the first two theaters on the premises having burnt down in 1922 and 1939, respectively.
Designed and built by Will Morey in 1956, the Fantasy is considered by many to be the first 'Doo Wop' motel in the Wildwoods. With it's upswept, 'hovering' roof design, oversized rooftop neon signage and other flamboyant architectural elements, this classic on the Rio Grande entrance boulevard was unlike any structure previously seen on the island. Unfortuantely, the Fantasy was demolished in 2005. Still, it's legacy as a trend-setting icon lives on.