Postcard ca. 1970s: Kummerlowe Archive
 
New Haven-Long Wharf, CT -- 400 Sargent Drive
 

Groundbreaking for the New Haven Howard Johnson's took place on October 14, 1970 with Mayor Bartholomew Guida's symbolic shovel of earth. Heralded for its location in the Long Wharf renewal project, the eight-story, 154 room Motor Lodge was operated by Stan Becker. Mr. Becker also operated Lodges in Stratford, Hartford and at Kennedy Airport in New York.

Architecturally unlike any other Motor Lodge and Restaurant complex ever built, New Haven-Long Wharf was perhaps a prototype designed to test the feasibility of new lower-cost and time-saving construction methods (see Stamford). With one of the most visible spots in the New Haven area, as well as its choice location at what is possibly Connecticut's busiest Interstate interchange (I-95 & I-91), the unique high-rise HoJo's opened in early 1972.

 

 
Below: Near the end of its Howard Johnson's days, the Motor Lodge's apostrophe and 'S' had been removed from the high rise's side
 
Photo ca. 1990s: Walter Mann  www.hojoland.com
 
 

 
 
Photo October 2000: Kummerlowe Archive
 

The Long Wharf complex was a Howard Johnson's through and through. Its Restaurant was integrated into the Motor Lodge building but projected forward and was topped with traditional Orange Porcelain Enamel Roof Tiles. However no cupolas of any type were ever installed either to mark the Restaurant or the location of the Motor lodge lobby.

Remaining a HoJo's Lodge until about 1996, the hotel was then converted into Suisse Chalet's Grand Chalet brand, and the restaurant kept its Howard Johnson's name until August of 1997. The Restaurant itself had been a part of the Carter family mini-HoJo's hospitality empire. Irving "Bing" Carter was among the original Howard Johnson's licensees and opened his first Howard Johnson's in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1936. Mr. Carter's son George went on to create the now defunct Franchise Associates Incorporated in 1986 which carried the HoJo's mantle until 2005. The Carter's last Restaurant was the one at Branford which had operated as a Ground Round prior to its closure.

 

 

Above: Operating as a Grand Chalet with no restaurant

Below: Converted into a Fairfield Inn shown after Greek Olive had opened

 
Photo September 2004: Kummerlowe Archive
 
 
Photo ca. 2005: BobVenditti
 

Above: Lasting as a Fairfiled Inn just long enough to be seen with Marriott's mandated sign change.

Below: By 2007 Long Wharf had become a LaQuinta

 
Photo May 2007: Phil Edwards
 
 

 
 
Photo October 2000: Kummerlowe Archive
 
 
Photo ca. 2003: Phil Edwards
 
 
Photo September 2004: Kummerlowe Archive
 
 
Photos ca. 2005: Phil Edwards
 
 
 
After having been vacant for almost five years the former Howard Johnson's restaurant received a complete makeover to become the lively and modern Greek Olive Diner. Although not open 24-hours as its Orange Roofed predecessor had been, the recycled eatery with its counter service, general layout, and food offerings is at least slightly reminiscent of HoJo's past.
 
 
 
Photo September 2004: Kummerlowe Archive
 
 
Photos ca. 2005: Phil Edwards
 
 
 
 
Photo May 2007: Phil Edwards
 
 

 
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