HOWELL, N.J. – The former site of the iconic Moon Motel, a mid-century roadside landmark known for its rocket-themed neon sign, is officially up for sale nearly a decade after the building was demolished. The 4.27-acre commercial parcel at 4650 U.S. Highway 9 has been listed for $4.7 million, according to a posting from Logistic Realty LLC.
The property, zoned for highway commercial use, sits along a busy stretch of Route 9 and is being marketed for retail or other investment development. The listing notes that the land carries a total assessment of $1.7 million and has no remaining improvements, making it a prime site for redevelopment in one of Howell’s most commercially active corridors.
Once a vibrant roadside stop during the 1960s, the Moon Motel became a symbol of retro Americana, drawing attention for its towering neon sign featuring a rocket blasting toward a crescent moon. The motel opened in 1966, during the height of the Space Race, and operated for decades before a 2013 fire led to its closure and demolition in 2015.
For years after, the motel’s distinctive sign remained—rusted, overgrown, and admired by nostalgia seekers. Local preservationists and sign enthusiasts, including groups like Infinite Custom Werks, pushed to save the landmark, which had become one of New Jersey’s most recognizable examples of mid-century roadside design.
In 2025, the sign’s restoration project began in earnest. Crews carefully disassembled its signature rocket and neon tubing components to preserve them ahead of planned redevelopment at the site. The long-vacant lot is now being positioned for new use as Howell continues to see commercial growth along its Route 9 corridor.
The listing, posted January 9, describes the property as a high-visibility location with easy access to major commuter routes and nearby shore towns. The site’s future remains open-ended, but its past as home to one of New Jersey’s most beloved pieces of roadside history continues to resonate with locals and collectors alike.
The 4.27-acre former Moon Motel site on Route 9 in Howell is listed for $4.7 million after the removal of its historic rocket-themed neon sign for restoration.