Nevada Motel at York Beach makeover almost complete: Landmark hotel reopens in June

YORK, Maine — The finishing touches are being put on the Nevada Motel as owner Joe Lipton prepares for its June reopening.

The motel, built in the 1950s, has been closed since the family that opened it put it up for sale in 2021. Lipton, who bought it with his wife Michelle Friar, has since been resurrecting the classic motel shaped like a World War II-style battleship.

Lipton has been working on projects at several hotels he owns over the last few years. This year, he hopes to build a new bridal suite and spa at the ViewPoint Hotel overlooking the Nubble Lighthouse.

Lipton has said he has been motivated in his hospitality ventures to preserve the historic features of the buildings while bringing updated amenities. He said the Nevada would have been torn down for a residential development if he had not bought it.

“Somebody else was going to buy it, making it into housing,” Lipton said. “To keep that motel building there, I think, was fun for us.”

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Nevada set for June opening

Lipton has said he bought the motel because it was a landmark he wanted to preserve at Long Sands Beach. The motel at 141 Long Beach Ave. first opened in 1951.

The original owner, Henry de la Pena, named the motel after the U.S. Navy ship he served on in World War II. He left the Navy in 1947 and was inspired on a visit to Florida, where his sister-in-law’s husband opened a motel in Pompano Beach.

De la Pena returned to Maine with the idea of opening a motel and found the empty lot at York Beach in 1951. He purchased the property and named the motel after his wartime ship and designed the motel to resemble the flying bridge of a battleship.

The Nevada was put up for sale in 2021 for $2.75 million after de la Pena’s son said staffing shortages were causing the business to struggle. Lipton’s Crane Group purchased the motel for $1.6 million to revitalize it.

The motel originally had two stories, and Lipton is now building a third. He is also reducing the number of units, making each room more spacious. The work also includes a new elevator shaft.

Even with updates, Lipton has said the final product opening in June will maintain the feel of a 1950s motel. He said they are bringing back the “art deco beach scene” with mid-century artwork and wallpaper. An image showing the future Nevada Motel has been posted by Lipton on Facebook to give people a glimpse of what is coming.

“We kept the integral parts, the overhangs, the decks, the color,” Lipton said. “I think a lot of people are appreciative of how we’ve done it.”

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ViewPoint Hotel seeks to add new spa, bridal suite

Lipton is also looking to make more improvements to the ViewPoint Hotel, which he and Friar purchased along with partner Chris Crane in 2017.

Since buying the hotel, Lipton has added seven new rooms to the side of the hill overlooking the Nubble with grass roofs to appear hidden in the environment. He has also opened a restaurant, A Little Auk, that was first available to the public last fall.

Lipton is now going to reopen A Little Auk this summer to the public and is looking to add a new spa, as well as a second-floor bridal suite above the bathhouse. He also plans to add a new building to make it easier for guests to check in and get to their rooms quicker.

Whether Lipton can start construction in time for this summer depends on its approval with the Planning Board, he said. He was scheduled to go before the board on March 14 and said he would be able to finish the work in time for the 2024 summer season if the project gains approval.

“Cutting it very close, but yes,” Lipton said.

Lipton said there is a chance he eventually builds an indoor restaurant space with outdoor seating, as well as a wedding venue across the street from the ViewPoint.

He said after the ViewPoint and Nevada are complete, he expects to take a break from major projects. He and Friar grew up in town and have previously owned other businesses like the Inn on the Blues.

Lipton said it’s been fun to update some of York’s classic structures, like the Nevada. He has described it as an homage to the town where he’s lived since he was 8.

“To renovate and bring back a part of history,” Lipton said. “It is a really exciting, fun thing to be able to do in your hometown.”

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