Samuel Paul and Seymour Jarmul | Honorable Mention | Extant | Forest Hills | Hotel or Motel | 1961 | The Schine Inn was part of the major Schine empire of theaters and hotels across the country, only of a few of which were named Schine Inns, most notably in Massena, NY and Chicopee, MA. In 1966, just five years after the Forest Hills location opened, the chain changed hands and it is unclear if this location lasted beyond then. Today it is a senior living facility and remains recognizable architecturally despite the loss of an undulating entrance awning. The brick-faced buildings also include stone veneer details and enamel panels. The architects were local and known for large brick apartment towers, so the design here is much less striking than some of the other Schine branches.
Tippetts Abbett McCarthy and Stratton | Bronze Plaque for Theatres & Other Places of Amusement | Extant | Rockaway Beach | Hotel or Motel | 1963 | This beachfront club is one of a disappearing breed of clubs catering to largely working class Brooklynites who have been renting the beachfront cabanas for years. Unlike some other waterfront cabanas, the Silver Gull is unique in that its cabanas are two story and some jut out into the water on piers. The buildings are faced with wall board and the doors are painted bright colors. The complex is centered around a large one story clubhouse with restaurant, bar, and cafeteria. In front of the clubhouse are several swimming pools on a raised concrete platform. It was originally constructed with 473 cabanas and 351 cabinettes which could accommodate approximately 1,500 families. During 2012 Hurricane Sandy severely damaged the club. It has subsequently reopened but some cabanas were not rebuilt.
Brodsky Hopf and Adler | Bronze Plaque for Hotels and Motels | Extant | Elmhurst | Hotel or Motel | 1963 | Closed in early 2014, the Pan American Motor Inn’s future is unclear but the building remains. It has an elliptical design, curving out to to the street on both ends. The first floor is recessed to allow access for pedestrians and vehicles. The yellow brick in the window areas bring a pop of color to the otherwise unrelieved exposed concrete frame.
