Big Disappearing Act: Demo Crews Remove Abandoned Endicott Motel

The blighted Red Carpet Inn across from the En-Joie Golf Course in West Endicott has been torn down.

Gorick Construction workers demolished the 61-room motel on West Main Street over the past week.

The dilapidated building had been an eyesore for neighbors in recent years. The property is located near the Charles F. Johnson Elementary School.

Although the structure has been knocked down, crews on Friday continued to load large trucks with demolition debris to be hauled to the Broome County landfill.

The fate of the 1.5-acre site is uncertain. The county, which acquired the property for $600,000 in February, is planning to seek redevelopment proposals.

County officials had wanted the building gone in time for the start of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open golf tournament next month.

The motel wasn't always viewed as a neighborhood nuisance. When it opened as the Royal Coachman in April 1963, an advertisement described the place as "ultramodern."

According to the ad: "In order to give their guests the very latest and finest accommodations, the folks at the Royal Coachman hired an electrical servant - Reddy Kilowatt." Guests were promised "complete control of the climate" with electric heating and air conditioning.

Visitors also were encouraged to "enjoy your snack in the Royal Coachman's all electric coffee shop."

Things changed in recent years as the property went through a series of ownership changes. A New Jersey man acquired the site in 2019 for $325,000. His a plan to renovate the building was scrapped.

VIDEO: An inspection of the West Main Street site on May 17, 2024.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.