Rehoboth Boardwalk Demolition Extended Due to Safety Concerns

Demolition along the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk will continue for another month following new safety concerns at the site of the former Sirocco Motel.

The Onix Group, based in Pennsylvania, is behind the development of One Rehoboth, a new hotel planned between Rehoboth and Baltimore avenues.

Before construction can begin, all existing structures on the block must be removed.

This includes the buildings facing the boardwalk and the narrow Sirocco Motel and Kohr Bros. Frozen Custard building located behind them.

Public Safety Drives Early Demolition

Rehoboth Beach officials originally approved the site plan in January.

Demolition began early after an independent engineering report in April revealed hazardous deterioration at the Sirocco Motel.

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Key points from city officials:

Safety of the public and nearby properties is the main concern
The Grotto Pizza building was also partially demolished early
An unstable steel support beam and overall compromised integrity were cited as major risks

Once demolition began, engineers found the motel structure more unstable than expected. Initially, only the third floor was to be taken down.

However, the entire building now needs to be dismantled by hand, a process expected to take four additional weeks.

Originally, demolition was scheduled to pause on May 15 and resume after the summer tourist season.

But due to urgent safety risks, city officials extended the deadline through June 13.

City Manager Taylour Tedder emphasized that the current condition of the building poses an immediate danger.

“It doesn’t appear to us that the building in its current condition can remain standing safely through the summer season,” said Tedder.
The Sirocco Motel had not been inspected since 2020, when its last business license expired

This demolition marks a major step toward a long-anticipated redevelopment of a key section of the Rehoboth boardwalk.

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