Historic Mid-Century Motel Listed in National Register

Following its nomination by the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission, the National Park Service listed the Beach Carousel Motel in the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 19. This makes the Beach Carousel the city’s fourth mid-century modern motel/hotel to be historically designated. 

The Beach Carousel Motel first opened on Pacific Avenue at the Oceanfront in 1968 and still operates as an independent motel today. Local couples Jack and Jeanne Osmond and Chriss and Miverene Yoder developed the motel together and Chriss Yoder acted as the general contractor. Robert Yoder — Chriss and Miverene’s son — designed the Beach Carousel in a stripped down mid-century modern style.  

The Beach Carousel is a rare survivor of independent motels and hotels that were once found throughout the Oceanfront Resort Area. Primarily constructed of concrete, the motel’s distinct geometric design is created by the stacked motel units. Like other motels of the 1960s, it has a parking lot that allows guests to park right next to their units and an in-ground pool. Most of the building, materials and site amenities are original. While the color scheme has changed over the years, the Beach Carousel is still remarkably similar to how it appeared when it first opened. 

As part of an initiative to recognize, document and designate these unique buildings, the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission sponsored the creation of a Multiple-Property Documentation Form in 2020 called the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort Motels and Hotels (1955-1970). The Beach Carousel Motel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places under this form, along with the Jefferson Manor Motel Apartments, the Crest Kitchenette Motel/Cutty Sark and the Blue Marlin Lodge. While the other three listed motels were designed by local architect Bill Alderman, the Beach Carousel is notable as having been designed by a local contractor.