‘Debonair Demolition Day’: Demolition Of Long-Standing Eyesore Begins In West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Dorinda Borer held a news conference Tuesday to kick off the demolition of a long-standing eyesore and unsafe building on the city’s shoreline, the former Debonair Beach Motel.

To officially mark what Borer dubbed “Debonair Demolition Day,” the mayor presented developers Joseph Iannelli and Jim Duch of Duchinelli Development Co. LLC with a symbolic gold-painted mallet to usher in the years-in-the-making razing and their plans for an upscale residential development at 295 Beach St.

Iannelli, a Fairfield-based developer, and Duch, the president of JD Financial Services LLC of Monroe, are preparing the 0.94-acre site for the development of market-rate residences with such amenities as a swimming pool and a fitness center.

“We’re here today to announce that the Building Department has given the new developers the green light to take this building down!” Borer said to enthusiastic applause from neighborhood residents, first responders, and building, property maintenance, planning and zoning officials.

Borer said that securing the funds for the raising of Beach Street when she was a state representative was no easy task in Hartford and locally, but she knew that it would serve as a springboard for a renaissance.

“Since that announcement a few years ago, we’ve seen developers take a chance on buying the old falling down Chick’s to put in upscale condominiums and the new Riva beer garden and eatery, which helps to put West Haven on the map,” Borer said. “We’ve also seen a young couple purchase the old bait shop to build their dream coffee shop, which also recently received building permits. And most recently, we signed a partnership with The Grind LLC, a premier travel baseball program, which is currently investing in Morse Park and will be bringing tournaments and business to the area.

“Even with all of this work, there was one hurdle that stuck out like a sore thumb, the Debonair. And that’s why I am so thankful to Jim and Joe for their investment in West Haven, so we can put the bow on this street.”

West Haven police Lt. Patrick Buturla and West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien talked about the boarded-up Debonair’s drain on city services in recent years, including numerous calls for trespassing, vandalism and burglary, as well as a structure fire. They also touted the property’s positive transformation on the neighborhood’s quality of life.

“After receiving numerous calls throughout the years, to say the removal of the structure is an improvement to public safety is an understatement for us,” Buturla said.

“To see this come down and improve our shoreline and reduce the risk to the community, and certainly the risk for our firefighters, is something we applaud,” said O’Brien, pointing to the section of the Debonair that suffered the fire a few years ago.

“Knock it down, so we can build it up!” the fire chief exclaimed.

Iannelli and Duch then delivered remarks praising the city and its beautiful shoreline.

“I am excited to work with the city on the redevelopment of the former Debonair Motel,” Iannelli said. “My vision is to build the finest upscale residences in West Haven and to help revitalize this area. It’s an honor to contribute to the growth and development of one of Connecticut’s most beautiful and undiscovered shorelines.”

Duch said: “Being a former resident of West Haven way back in 1988, I am very happy to be a part of beautifying the shoreline that me and my family had so many great memories of. This project will be both fun and challenging — but well worth it when it’s finished. I love the direction that the city of West Haven is going to attract more business and commerce.”

Iannelli and Duch said they plan to break ground on the project in March 2026.

At the conclusion of the news conference, Borer channeled former President Ronald Reagan and exclaimed, “Joe and Jim, take down that wall!” which prompted an excavator from Duchinelli’s demolition contractor, Caraluzzi and Associates LLC of Redding, to start tearing down the one-story, mostly cinderblock building.

The dilapidated former 24-unit motel, built in 1959, has sat vacant for years on prime waterfront property. The unsightly site is highly visible because of its location on one of the city’s busiest and most scenic roads.

The Debonair had been proposed for a number of residential and mixed-use developments through the years, none of which had come to fruition to the mounting frustrations of city officials and neighborhood residents.

Until now.

“Residents have complained for years about what a nuisance the former Debonair Beach Motel has become and have looked forward to the city finding a responsible developer who will replace it with something attractive that will support property values,” Economic Development Director Steve Fontana said. “That day has come, and we look forward to working with the property’s developer to deliver a visually appealing residential building that will fit comfortably into the Sandy Point neighborhood.”

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer presents a symbolic gold-painted mallet to developers Joseph Iannelli and Jim Duch of Duchinelli Development Co. LLC for the demolition of the former Debonair Beach Motel at 295 Beach St. on Tuesday. Iannelli and Duch are preparing the 0.94-acre waterfront property for the development of market-rate residences with such amenities as a swimming pool and a fitness center. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)