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http://youtu.be/VTyA-OZINDg
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Welcome to http://www.savethebiltmore.com/  

URGENT!!  PREVENT DEMOLITION!!    THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE HOTEL IS FOR SALE.

NOTE: The Belleview Biltmore Hotel is now closed and unfortunately is again under threat of demolition!  Our nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists played a large role in obtaining community support to help save the hotel which was ultimately saved from demolition in 2007 when Legg Mason Real Estate Investors purchased the hotel.   The hotel was purchased by Kawa Capital Management LLC. in December, 2010.  The new owners, the Kawa brothers are looking for investors to purchase either of the following options:  1. Belleview Biltmore Hotel with the Pelican Golf Course and Cabana Club on Clearwater Beach or 2.  The Biltmore with the golf course 3.  The Biltmore with the Cabana Club.  4.  The Biltmore separately.  Please note, the Biltmore golf course, The Pelican, is still open for business.  The owners unfortunately if no investor is found will seek to demolish the historic property and build not 80 townhomes, but 180 or more even though there is a historic preservation ordinance in place passed in 2005!

A representative for the owners has been having presentations to destroy most of the 115-year-old hotel to build just over 80 townhomes. Now, he says plans for the property may involve as many as 180 townhomes or more.  While our nonprofit organization is looking for investors to purchase the hotel, I would encourage anyone interested in purchasing the Biltmore to keep it as a historic hotel to contact Diane Hein, President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists, immediately! (For more information about our nonprofit click here.)   For a detailed article on the possible demolition of the Biltmore, click here:
posted Friday, December 30, 2011.

ONE MINUTE EMAIL CAMPAIGN:   We urge you to write Belleair officials an email encouraging them to deny the demolition permit and to continue to save the Biltmore as a hotel.  Feel free to write your own thoughts or you may copy this email below and send it to them.  It will only take one minute!  WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!  Simply copy and paste the eaddresses below to your email program and then either write your own email or copy and paste the enclosed email and SEND IMMEDIATELY!

Mayor Gary Katica, Commissioners Stephen Fowler, Tom Shelly, Kevin Piccarreto and Michael Wilkinson and Town Manager, Micah Maxwell

gkatica@townofbelleair.net,sfowler@townofbelleair.net, tshelly@townofbelleair.net,kpiccarreto@townofbelleair.net mwilkinson@townofbelleair.net,mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com 

Sample copy and paste this email to send or write your own:

Honorable Mayor Katica and Belleair Commissioners:

I urge you to continue to save your historic Victorian Belleview Biltmore Hotel for my generation and future generations to enjoy.  The historic 2005 preservation ordinance was passed by Belleair officials to protect this iconic structure against demolition by neglect and developers who want to destroy it for their own personal monetary gain.  I hope you deny any demolition permit that is proposed to you this year or any time in the future.  Citizens placed their trust in you to follow through with and enforce your own ordinance to save The White Queen of the Gulf now and forever.

Sincerely,

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If you have two minutes, then send ANOTHER email: 

KAWA Capital, current owners of the Biltmore: Daniel Ades, Raphael Ades and Alexandre Saverin, Simply copy and paste the eaddresses below to your email program and then either write your own email or copy and paste the enclosed email and SEND IMMEDIATELY!

We have included Belleair officials email addresses also so they may receive a copy also: Mayor Gary Katica, Commissioners Stephen Fowler, Tom Shelly, Kevin Piccarreto and Michael Wilkinson and Town Manager, Micah Maxwell

daniel@kawacapital.com,rapho_ades@yahoo.com,alex@kawacapital.com gkatica@townofbelleair.net,
sfowler@townofbelleair.net, tshelly@townofbelleair.net, kpiccarreto@townofbelleair.net, mwilkinson@townofbelleair.net,
mimaxwel@tampabay.rr.com 

KAWA Capital
Dear Mr. Ades and Mr. Ades,

Both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation are lending their support for saving the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. It would be a permanent black mark on your company's legacy if you were to demolish one of the most important historic icons in the town of Belleair and Pinellas County to make way for yet another condominium development. Certainly, a huge public outcry will ensue.

I urge you to continue to try and find investors who are committed to restoring the hotel to its original glory. Restoration of the hotel is unquestionably the highest and best use of the property. In the long run it will be in the best interest of all. Pinellas County does NOT need another unsold townhouse development. It could take a decade to sell the ones we already have, meanwhile the White Queen of the Gulf would be gone forever, as would your firm's reputation.

To have kept the hotel on the market for only one year during the toughest economic times in recent history is no justification for you to demolish it. I encourage you to use your firm's expertise to find creative ways to work with investors who are committed to saving this priceless landmark.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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SAVE THE BILTMORE FLYER:  Please print out this flyer from the link below and give to ten of your friends and family and urge them to attend this meeting.  Hang it up around your community in malls, retail stores, libraries, your work place, car windows, events, restaurants and gas stations.   Show your support and urge Belleair officials to DENY the demolition permit!   This is the last chance for you to Save the Biltmore.    Flyer to Help Us Save the Biltmore

Save the Biltmore Preservationists is a nonprofit organization which is dedicated to saving and preserving the historic Belleair, Florida 1896 Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa.  From the beginning we wanted to save all four wings and its guest rooms so this beautiful building would remain a hotel with authentic Victorian charm.  This web site was launched in November 2004 by Diane Hein, president of Save the Biltmore Preservationists when it was first learned that the Biltmore might be demolished.   

We always welcome new supporters.  Email me Diane Hein, if you wish to be on my Biltmore Update mailing list in which I send out news about the Biltmore.   

We are on Facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Biltmore-Preservationists/180572012028756

We are extremely happy for the huge turnout at the Belleair commission meeting on January 17, 2012.  Approximately 175 people showed up, almost all of those in support of saving the Biltmore!  So a big thank you to all who took the time to come out for this very important meeting.  The ball is rolling now, let's keep the momentum up and pass out flyers, do the ONE-MINUTE email campaign and attend future meetings to show Belleair how much they need to SAVE THE BILTMORE! 

An interview with Pinellas County, Belleair commissioner and our nonprofit vice president (now deceased) Ed Jameson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTyA-OZINDg

Map for Belleair town hall at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Belleair, FL
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=US&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&addtohistory=&cat=&address=901+Ponce+de+Leon+Blvd.&city=Belleair&state=Fl&zipcode=33756

We hope you become one of our nonprofit members.  We offer Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum memberships with certificates and a variety of gifts with each level.   See Memberships for more information.    Also have fun shopping at our Biltmore Online Gift Shop.   You will help the Biltmore stand tall for another 110 years! Order a Biltmore calendar and proudly display it at home or at your workplace. Wear a Biltmore T-shirt, carry a Biltmore tote bag, a Biltmore charm or display a Biltmore license plate on your car. All these will stir interest with the people around you and help us promote the Biltmore! An honorary one-year membership will be given to anyone purchasing any of our special Biltmore jewelry!

   Memberships--Join Us!        Biltmore Watercolor Art    Biltmore T-Shirt-or Tote Bag Tote-Art   Biltmore Charm, Key Chain, Cuff Links, Tie Tack, Earrings, Pin - Sterling/Gold  
                      

 

For complete detail of all Biltmore news read the media articles at: 

http://savethebiltmore.com/BelleviewBiltmoreNewspapersAndPublications.htm (please note due to the death of our vice president and my husband, many recent newspaper articles have NOT been posted for a few months)  In due time, they will be posted.  The most current article has been posted however.

In Memoriam:  Our Vice President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists Ed Lee Jameson, and husband of our president of our nonprofit organization, Diane Hein.  He was loved and will be truly missed in many, many ways.

Biltmore Preservationist Ed Jameson Remembered 

 

http://clearwatergazette.com/20110120/A4_gif.html  Link will only work if you "cut and paste" it!

January 20, 2011


By Renee Burrell

CLEARWATER - Edward Lee Jameson (age 65), a Clearwater resident who tirelessly   promoted preservation of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel in Belleair, passed away December 8, 2010. Jameson suffered from complications following surgery to remove a
benign brain tumor for several months before his death. The death was announced by Jameson's wife and partner of 34 years, Diane Hein, with whom he co-founded Save the Biltmore Preservationists. Says Hein, "Ed was a fascinating, articulate, analytical and loving man who contributed so much to historic preservation in Pinellas County."

Jameson was known locally as the Vice President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists and was a familiar sight at Belleair town meetings where for  six years he followed the actions taken concerning the hotel and spoke on behalf of so many other members of the community concerned that the property would be developed into a colony of even more condominiums. In particular, Jameson and his group advocated to ensure that all four wings of the landmark hotel would be preserved for future generations. Jameson's efforts were instrumental in helping to pass an amendment to the town of Belleair's preservation ordinance in which the interior of the hotel would be preserved
historically. Hein said Jameson strongly felt that the Biltmore was the most important historical structure
within Pinellas County and indeed contributed much to the county's very development. "He always had faith that the people of Pinellas County, Belleair and their elected officials would do their best to preserve the hotel."

A military veteran, Jameson served proudly in the United States Air Force in Great Britain as a weather researcher. Once discharged, he attained a Bachelor of Science in Business from Eckerd College and went on to form a career in information technology, retiring as a systems analyst from Pinellas County Government.

A memorial service was held at Bay Pines Veterans cemetery for Jameson who is survived by wife Diane, brother George (Faith) and two nephews.

Side note:  Ed colorfully once told this about the Biltmore to Harlan Weikle reporter for the Belleair Bee:  "The attic area was akin to the bowels of a ship at sea, the crew's living quarters, only turned upside down."  Ed used to walk the long two miles of corridor at the Biltmore during his lunch hours when he worked downtown before he retired.  He loved the hotel beyond words. We strongly feel one reason that the Biltmore is still standing is because of Ed, who introduced the hotel to me his wife, Diane Hein, President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists who put up this web site in 2004.  With the help of much community support who contacted this web site when the St. Petersburg Times mentioned it, the Biltmore was saved from demolition back in 2007.   There were HUNDREDS of people involved in the saving of the Biltmore at that time, and we are truly grateful for all their help.

I personally feel along with other medical professionals I spoke with after Ed died, that a series of horrible errors were made that were responsible for the death of my husband in a medical facility.  He also received deplorable care at top-rated hospitals in our Tampa Bay area including bed sores, delays and neglect over a period of months!  If you ever feel that a medication is given in error after you have researched it in the Physician's Desk Reference or on the Internet; if your loved one is in the hospital or other facility or at home, immediately contact the pharmacy department to see if they concur so they can contact the physician who ordered it to hopefully rescind it if they also feel it was given in error.  One final note to help your loved ones in time of illness, take ANY infection seriously and of the utmost urgency whether it be a large infection like pneumonia or a small one like a tooth abscess or bladder infection, whether at home, in a hospital or a nursing home.   It is extremely important the physician determine IMMEDIATELY what kind of infection has occurred so antibiotics may be prescribed right away.  Infections, small or large, can easily turn to sepsis (a VERY serious blood infection) which can quickly lead to death if antibiotics are not given as soon as possible.   For every one-hour delay in antibiotics with sepsis the risk of death increases by 7%!   I hope that this information about Ed's senseless and tragic death will save a loved one of yours from a similar horrible fate. 

A VINTAGE BILTMORE FURNITURE DONATION TO SAVE THE BILTMORE PRESERVATIONISTS:
We give a big thank you to Dell Valentine Kelleher, Clearwater, Florida for donating her grandmother's chest of drawers and mirror which were in the Belleview Biltmore Hotel from around the 1920's to the 1930's to our nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists. This hickory wood furniture was unfortunately removed from the hotel right before it was used to station World War II military personnel. However we are extremely grateful she wrote and donated this wonderful piece of Biltmore history to us. Here is a photo of it with more information on it below the picture.

Here is the history behind the furniture. In the 19th century Bill Richard made and sold hickory chairs in the Town Square in Martinsville, Indiana. "Old Hickory" furniture (honoring President Jackson) came into being in a church in 1892. In 1898, a full line of furniture products was shipped to homes and resorts. There were multiple makers/owners of "Old Hickory" over time. Early Arts & Crafts mission furniture makers may have received many of their concepts while visiting the Martinsville "Old Hickory" production. The earlier woods used were hickory while later woods were oak, chestnut and pine. One of the most popular variations is rustic log style. Many homes, resorts and national park lodges use both old and new variations of "Old Hickory" furniture. A few owners of "Old Hickory" include Old Faithful Inn, Grove Park Inn, Camp David, the Disney Rainforest Cafe, and celebrities Dolly Parton, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, and Oprah Winfrey.

The Belleview Biltmore hickory chest of drawers has an early mark (later variations had bronze and paper tags) and is an example of historic Mission/Arts and Crafts style furniture. Hickory is the heaviest and hardest of all American hardwoods, and it was used by the American Arts and Crafts movement, Amish furniture makers, pioneer wagon wheels and on the Wright brothers’ Flying Machine. The vintage furniture is a heavy, well built, solid wood, utilitarian chest of drawers with hand cut half-blind dovetails and solid glue joints. The finish is worn, with some small chips and various board-to-board glued edges have separated. The chest and mirror could be restored, but then it would lose the wear and tear history of life at the Biltmore. A woodworker experienced with hickory wood could duplicate this basic design.

Our vintage Biltmore chest has four drawers with carved, hickory nut knobs and the 31" x 25" mirror has horizontal sections (rails) with hickory nut incised carvings. The frame (carcass) has horizontal and vertical routed moldings, 43" vertical sections (stiles), 38" horizontal sections (rails) and is 20" in depth. The top-drawer front has opposing "rustic" style V shaped routings cut into the front face and measures 30x18x7". The next drawer measures 30x18x8" and the two bottom drawers measure 30x18x9". The piece is signed "Old Hickory, Martinsville, Ind. Dusty Acorn." The date is unknown but could be in the 1920's or 1930's but is before World War II. The entire package measures 20x38x43" and weighs approximately 150 pounds. Some early records of the first "Old Hickory" furniture were unfortunately destroyed when the original furniture company burned down. The chest and mirror are currently being kept in safe storage for future Biltmore preservation efforts.

Here is information from Ms. Kelleher: "My grandmother Dell Valentine was a very connected (socialite) here in Clearwater. I am a fourth generation Clearwater native. One of her very dear friends was Billy Burke a golf pro, and I think he played with Babe Ruth on the Resort course at times. Also she was a great friend of Jim Smith who was another golf pro in the area at the time. Plus she was on the board of or one of the founders of every committee they had going back then. I really don't know how she ended up with the furniture but it was in the back bedroom of her house for as long as I can remember as a child . She had the set of twin beds and the dresser/mirror and maybe night stand but I happened to salvage the dresser when I needed one when I moved out of my parents' house. My grandfather Wilson "Rudy" Valentine was the founder and president of First Federal Savings and Loan downtown. My great -grandfather George Eichelburger was a builder, and he built some of the homes down in Harbor Oaks near the hospital. My grandmother graduated from Clearwater High School in the first graduating class on '38, Mom graduated in '58 and I in '78.

To view more detailed photos of the chest and mirror click here:  Vintage Biltmore chest and drawers furniture

 

Our late vice president Ed Jameson met Mr. Doug Negretti who is working hard to get donations to restore the original historic Belleview Biltmore fire engine.  The fire engine is a 1917 America La France "pumper type fire truck."   If you have information or any sources that could help to restore the fire engine or any historical information on the fire department using this truck, please email us.  If you would like to help Mr. Negretti raise money or give donations to help restore the fire engine, please contact him at Heritage Village 11909 125th Street N. Largo, FL 33774
The web link is:  http://www.pinellascounty.org/heritage/  Their phone number is:  (727) 582-2123

                                                             

Mr. Doug Negretti and Belleview Biltmore Hotel historic fire truck to his right               Vintage photo of the Biltmore

FREE Desktop Wallpapers, just click on the photo, and it will take only seconds to download them to your screen!

                  

If you work at a computer, downloading these images will be a great opportunity to talk about the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. The web site name www.SaveTheBiltmore.com  is on each large photo and your co-workers can come to our web site for information or wallpapers or sign up to be on our mailing list. If you want to help us promote the Biltmore, this is a great way for you to do this, and it's FREE!

Below is an excellent video produced by Pinellas County, Florida which includes interior photos of the Biltmore, a synopsis of the efforts to save the Biltmore since 2004, clips of Florida Governor Charlie Crist who visited the hotel October 2007, Legg Mason's Managing Director Joseph Penner, Biltmore Managing Director and Vice President Martin Smith, Biltmore executive assistant and tour guide Sharon Delahanty and interviews with Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel, Belleair town Commissioner Stephanie Oddo, our group's Save the Biltmore Preservationist Vice President Ed Jameson, Marcia Crawley Director of Department of Communications, Pinellas County, Mike Moore Producer Progressive Pinellas and beautiful renderings of the future renovation plans.  The interview was held at the Belleview Biltmore January 24, 2008 in regards to historic preservation in Pinellas County.  Pinellas County is working towards establishing a historic preservation ordinance to help save other historic buildings in the county. There are approximately 10,000 historic structures in Pinellas County.  Click this photo, or link to Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTyA-OZINDg and it will link you to the video page:

 

If you have any old/historic photos of the Biltmore and/or of your family at the hotel, please send them to us and we will post them.  We are especially looking for photos of the interior of the hotel before World War II before all the furniture was removed when the Biltmore housed the military.

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NEWSPAPER AND MEDIA COVERAGE FOR OUR NONPROFIT (short synopsis)


Tampa Bay Times, Saturday January 13, 2012

National group, preservationists defend endangered Belleview Biltmore

By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer

A national nonprofit and other preservationists vow to fight the owners' proposal to raze the hotel.

BELLEAIR - Five days after the owners of the Belleview Biltmore filed a request to raze most of the 115-year-old hotel, a national nonprofit is urging town leaders to deny that request.  Local preservationists say they're gearing up for battle. They're booking TV interviews, passing out fliers and coming up with a game plan to combat rhetoric from the owners.

Diane Hein, the head of a preservation group, said they're trying to get residents to come out to Tuesday's city meeting, where the Biltmore will be discussed.

"We're trying to show the commissioners that people still want the hotel saved and it's very important that the historic preservation ordinance be upheld," said Hein of Save the Biltmore Preservationists Inc.

People see pictures of the hotel's rusted railings, chipped paint and tattered roof and lose hope, she said.

"We need to get the message across that all of these things can be repaired," Hein said.

 

Santa Claus Visited Save the Biltmore Preservationist Tree       http://clearwatergazette.com/   December 3, 2009

The Save the Biltmore Preservationist seven foot Christmas tree combines the old with the new. The Belleview Biltmore Hotel opened during the Victorian era in 1897, and a popular Christmas decoration at that time was the beautiful cone-shaped ornament, the cornucopia. The Save the Biltmore hand-crafted cornucopias included decorations of pine cones, silver and gold leaves, miniature craft pearls, apples, pears, gold and silver-coated nuts, foil, ribbon, and other Christmas decorations. Half of their ornaments are adorned in the center with a photo representation of their nonprofit's Belleview Biltmore 14 karat gold jewelry charm to represent the "charm of the Belleview Biltmore." The top of their tree has larger gold printed images of their charm, and you can see the hotel's distinctive chimney stacks. It took the organization approximately 65 hours to make and decorate the cornucopias and tree topper. The tree was on view at the Festival of Trees show at Westfield/Countryside Mall sponsored by the UPARC Foundation show the end of November.


http://clearwatergazette.com/   June 11, 2009

Here's to The White Queen of the Gulf & Her Staying Power

Photos/text by Renee Burrell

Photo above: Farewell sentiments as seen at the Belleview Biltmore's last Sunday Brunch

BELLEAIR - The 112 year old Belleview Biltmore Resort's closing was bitter sweet. Some of the hotel's last events were attendance record breakers--mainly a family friendly Victorian picnic, Sunday's brunch and a fundraiser benefitting the Upper Pinellas County Retarded Citizens later that night.

Optimism was up for the largest wooden structure in the world's 100 million dollar renovation project which is expected to take several years to complete and will adhere to the United States Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

Diane Hein who heads up the Save the Biltmore preservationist group voiced concern over the structure's physical well being, but looks forward to its future. She said that she and vice president Ed Jameson and secretary/treasurer Doug Mann are "Overjoyed that the future of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel is secure now" and reminded that "everyone has to be aware that the hotel will be vacant and we hope that security will prevent any untoward events from occurring…We look forward to keeping abreast of the progress of the renovations over the next three years.. .We will miss the Biltmore's lovely buffets, the historic Victorian charm, the long walks through the two miles of corridors, the many gables and chimneys and especially the Christmas holiday decorations and ambiance."


http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/pinellas/belleview_biltmore_renovations_060109  

Click link for video and full text. Our Save the Biltmore Preservationist vice president Ed Jameson was interviewed for this video segment.

Fox TV News Monday June 1, 2009

By Alcides Segui Alcides Segui

Belleview Biltmore closing until 2012

$100 million renovation project set to begin

BELLEAIR - A piece of Bay Area history is about to close its doors.

The Belleview Biltmore is one of the oldest wooden structures in the U.S. and is among 168 historic treasures that have been identified since 1988.

"It's the root of Pinellas County history. It had all the movers and shakers of the people really had influence on the 19th century," said Ed Jameson, the Vice President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists. "It made people aware of Pinellas County."

Cabana Club dispute headed to court

Article published on Wednesday, May 20, 2009
[Image]
Photo courtesy of R.J. HEISENBOTTLE ARCHITECTURE
A schematic design depicts the proposed Belleview Biltmore Cabana Club in the Sand Key area.
CLEARWATER – Five Sand Key-area residents are hoping that the third time is the charm.

After losing at Clearwater’s Community Development Board and in an administrative hearing, they have filed an action in hopes that a three-judge panel from the 6th Judicial Circuit will prevent the owners of the Cabana Club from building a six-story, 38-room Victorian-style “boutique hotel” and a new, 165-seat restaurant on the land that they lease for their current restaurant.

Belleview Biltmore Spokeswoman Amy McGuire feels that the city should welcome the project because it will provide both temporary construction jobs and permanent jobs in the restaurant and hotel.

“The positive side of this project is that it has a lot of support at all levels,” McGuire said. “Everybody is committed to seeing it become a reality.”

Nobody knows exactly how long it will take for the court to issue its final ruling.

“Depending on the first few steps, it could be six to eight months,” McGuire said.


http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20081204/biltmore.html  Front Page  Clearwater Gazette, Thursday December 4, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belleview Biltmore’s Tree Wins Award at Clearwater’s Festival of Trees

Belleview Biltmore’s nonprofit organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, created a Belleview Biltmore Hotel holiday Christmas tree for the 2008 Festival of Trees in Clearwater. This was their first entry. The Biltmore tree won a second place red ribbon in the seven-foot tree division for hand-crafted ornaments. The tree had 55 ornaments on it with photos depicting the historic journey of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel from 1896 when it was built to the 2012 proposed renovations by the new owner Legg Mason Real Estate Investors. The Biltmore tree took about 60 hours to complete including the unique, hand-crafted tree topper gazebo that illuminates three historic views of the hotel.

Next to the tree were displays of other Biltmore memorabilia, antique photos, furniture, a history of the hotel and some vintage apparel from different eras, which add to the theme of the tree.

 

Belleair Bee  Front Page Thursday December 4, 2008

Biltmore Christmas

"The Belleview Biltmore Hotel 1896-Renovated 2012" Christmas tree, decorated by Save the Biltmore Preservationists and depicting the historic journey of the Biltmore, earned a second place ribbon at Clearwater's Festival of Trees. 

 

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/letters/article657178.ece  St. Petersburg Times, Thursday July 3, 2008

Letter to the Editor

Get involved, save Pinellas' history

The historic 1897 Victorian-style Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa was saved from demolition because of widespread Tampa Bay community support both inside and outside of Belleair, Belleair commissioner support and G. Michael Harris finding buyer Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, which will return the "White Queen of the Gulf" to its original splendor.

Unfortunately, three historic Pinellas County properties have been demolished over the past two years, another will be partially demolished and one other building's fate is in question. History once demolished can never be recreated.

In February 2008 Pinellas County established a countywide historic preservation program and declared historic preservation as public policy. Pinellas County can slow demolition of historic buildings once a historic preservation ordinance is passed. However, people need to be aware that this depends upon the acceptance of the Pinellas preservation ordinance by each individual city, in a timely manner.

Citizens need to contact their representatives to ensure their cities agree to historic preservation. Otherwise, more of Pinellas County's history will fall under the wrecking ball of development.

If one of your valuable historic structures is under threat of demolition in your city, contact local preservation societies, speak out at city commission meetings, and if necessary, start a grass roots effort and organize a nonprofit organization with a Web site to try to save a building from demolition.

We encourage Tampa Bay residents to further participate in saving our valuable history.

Diane Hein, president, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, (www.SaveTheBiltmore.com), Clearwater
 

Hotel Online Special Report    June 25, 2008

Nobody Asked Me, But… No. 41

Hotel Developers Take Note

By Stanley Turkel, MHS, ISHC
June 2008
1. A Landmark Hotel is Saved - The final Belleview Biltmore renovation plans proposed by the new owner, Legg Mason were unanimously approved (with some minor changes) by Bellaire town officials on May 20, 2008. The project will include replacing the Japanese pagoda-like entrance to more of its original Victorian look; a new East wing separate hotel will be three stories instead of four but extended by 30 feet wide; more meeting, convention and ballroom space; a new poolside café, a new spa and a new underground parking garage. Congratulations to Diane Hein and all the "Save-the-Biltmore" preservationists.



Rendering of Restored Belleview Biltmore Resort
25 Belleview Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida 33756
http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/restoration


ST. PETERSBURG TIMES  (our vice president of our nonprofit organization Ed Jameson was also interviewed for this article)


http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/1339558521.html?dids=1339558521:1339558521&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+21%2C+2007&author=TERRI+BRYCE+REEVES%3BLORRI+HELFAND&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=1&desc=GRAND+HOTEL%2C+GRAND+PLAN

Click link above for full story  September 21, 2007

GRAND HOTEL, GRAND PLAN

"We're preserving a legacy for future generations," said Joe Penner, managing director for Legg Mason Real Estate Investors of Los Angeles. Legg Mason paid nearly $30.3-million for the landmark in June.

Penner predicted the restored hotel will one day be a five-star resort, "one we can all be proud of."

Richard Heisenbottle, president of Heisenbottle Architects of Coral Gables, said there would be selective demolition "of noncontributing structures." When he announced that the pagoda- style lobby built in the 1990s was on the hit list, the crowd cheered and applauded.  Heisenbottle described a "grand entrance" with palm and shade trees, fountains and a Victorian-style porte-cochere. The lobby will be a "soaring three stories" and built in traditional Victorian style.

Ed Jameson, vice president of Save the Biltmore Preservationists, applauded the developer's plans, but worried about closing the hotel for up to two years during renovations.

"Hotels and other vacant property can be more vulnerable to damage from fire, gas, water, electrical, hurricanes and vandalism during renovations," he said. He suggested either the town or Legg Mason provide 24-hour, round-the-clock security for the property.

After the presentation, Belleair Commissioner and local architect Stephen Fowler praised Heisenbottle's presentation and his award- winning firm, which has been praised by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Kay Norred of our local Pinellas County TV station for interviewing our nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists at the Biltmore entrance in regards to the new renovation plans.  Click here http://www.pinellascounty.org/inside_pinellas.htm and then click on
Inside Pinellas streaming video.   The Biltmore segment is about five minutes into the show.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


http://www.creativetampabay.com/newsletter   Creative Tampa Bay August 6, 2007

Save the Biltmore Efforts Expand to Preservation

Now that the Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa is saved, the nonprofit organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists, Inc. will work towards promoting and preserving this beautiful Victorian hotel both in and out of our community. Save the Biltmore Preservationists is offering a variety of memberships that will enable them to continue to preserve and promote the Biltmore in the future with your help. Save the Biltmore has been dedicated to saving all four wings of the Belleview Biltmore Spa and Resort since 2004 and will continue do so in the future. In saving the golden treasures of the past, we bank on enriching the present and the future. To find out more visit http://www.savethebiltmore.com.

 
Note readers:  Bay News 9 interviewed Ed  Jameson, our vice president of our nonprofit organization, Save the Biltmore Preservationists for their TV news segment June 24, 2007. Here is their online article.

 

Saving the Belleview Biltmore     Bay News 9 TV  Sunday, June 24, 2007

 

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/6/24/264013.html?title=Saving+the+Belleview+Biltmore  

 

New ownership has big plans for the Belleview Biltmore, which has stood for more than a century.

A symbol of Tampa Bay will continue to stand, looking over the water as it has for more than a century.

It's been a fight for the past few years for preservationists. And now that the Belleview Biltmore Resort is under new ownership, they're boasting with relief.

It's a victory for those who fought a hard fight to save a piece of history.

"It's been a place where people could come with their side cars from the railroad," Save the Biltmore Preservationist Edward Jameson said. "It was just a resort of the ages in the 1890s."

The Belleview Biltmore resort was threatened with demolition until this past week, when a new real estate investment group bought the property.

Jameson has been a great part of the effort to save the Biltmore.

 

Preservationist Edward Jameson
 

Preservationist Edward Jameson said the Belleview Biltmore was the place to be in the 1890s.
 

"We've heard that they would be replacing that pagoda. And they would also be adding maybe a convention center and doing some other changes for the hotel," Jameson said. "It all sounds very positive."

The fight that began in 2004 is finally over, and preservationists hope to restore the Biltmore to what it was in its hey day.

"It's the root of Pinellas County history," Jameson said. "It's where the movers and shakers of the 19th century came."

The Belleview Biltmore sits at the water's edge in Belleair. The resort, which includes a golf course and spa, was built in 1897.
 

Carol Minn, reporter for Bay News 9 did the interview


Belleview Biltmore sale finalized   Belleair Bee  June 22, 2007

http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/belleair_bee/content_articles/062107_bee-07.txt

[Image]

File photo by

CHARY SOUTHMAYD

The Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa has been purchased by Legg Mason Real Estate Investors.
BELLEAIR – The historic Belleview Biltmore Resort is now officially under new ownership.

Principals of the buyer, Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, and the seller, Belleview Biltmore Resort Ltd., wrapped up the exhaustive process of completing the massive amount of paperwork involved in the transaction late in the day on June 20.

“We have fought long and hard to save all four wings (of the hotel) since I launched my Web site in 2004, so having succeeded in that goal is very gratifying,” said Diane Hein, founder of http://www.tbnweekly.com/scripts/jumplink.php?url=www.SaveTheBiltmore.com. “The reality of its being saved is certainly a joyous occasion for all, and I thank the community for their support during for the past few years.”
 

[Image]

Photo courtesy of SAVETHEBILTMORE.COM

The Belleview Biltmore charm is available at http://www.savethebiltmore.com/ 

http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/070606_bee-03.txt  For full article  July 6, 1006

Capturing the charm of the Belleview Biltmore

BELLEAIR – Located in an area that many say is losing its charm to over development, the Belleview Biltmore has stood as an ageless symbol of beauty, style and casual elegance.

With developers eyeing the classic hotel for possible demolition, one tiny, classically elegant piece of jewelry may play a role in its salvation.

The piece is a charm, a decorative pendant which has enjoyed periods of popularity in the form of a charm bracelet. Charms were collected to capture memories of treasured life experiences … places visited, associations, relationships. It is said that Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets.

Prices set for the hand crafted charms are $75.00 for sterling; $100 for gold over sterling vermeil; and $400 for 14kt gold. Charms may be viewed and ordered at our online store.  Since all charms are custom made to order, a time period of 4 to 6 weeks must be allowed for creation and delivery. 

         Biltmore charm         Biltmore Key Chain

       Available at our online store.


http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/120105_bee-03.txt

[Image]
Photo courtesy of http://www.savethebiltmore.com/

Tony Blue displays three of his eight Biltmore mixed media art series including, from left, “Gardenias on the Veranda,” “Victorian Charm” and “The White Queen of the Gulf.” 

Artist’s work to benefit Belleview Biltmore preservation effort

Photo courtesy of http://www.savethebiltmore.com/
Tony Blue displays three of his eight Biltmore mixed media art series including, from left, “Gardenias on the Veranda,” “Victorian Charm” and “The White Queen of the Gulf.”

BELLEAIR – Local artist Tony Blue has created a series of eight beautiful, mixed media art pieces showcasing the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. He will donate 20 percent of sales proceeds to the nonprofit organization Save the Biltmore Preservationists.

Blue is offering the art as limited edition (150 maximum) giclée prints on canvas. They come stretched, signed by the artist and numbered, mixed media and ready to frame. Photos of the remaining five of the series may be found at http://www.savethebiltmore.com/  and any or all of them may be purchased at the online store.

Save the Biltmore  bookmarks, year-at-a glance calendars, greeting cards fine art photography, are also being sold online to help raise money for the hotel’s preservation.

ART OF TONY BLUE
Click here to see the new posting of the beautiful Belleview Biltmore Hotel series by local artist  Tony Blue.  Total of eight.

"The White Queen of the Gulf"       "Gardenias on the Veranda" For all eight series click:  Tony Blue  

http://www.tbnweekly.com/content_articles/110305_bee-04.txt    Belleair Bee (for full article)  November 3, 2005

[Image]

Photo courtesy of  www.SAVETHEBILTMORE.com Supporters of the Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa are delighted with passage of the town’s new historic preservation ordinance.

[Image]

Photo courtesy of  www.SAVETHEBILTMORE.com   Features of the original lobby of the Belleview Biltmore are protected under provisions of the town’s historic preservation ordinance.


http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/894155301.html?MAC=5f27f30b60a30785cdd9969931a8a638&did=894155301&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Sep+9,+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Effort+to+save+the+Biltmore+energized

"Regardless of the ordinance, Stroud and Belleair leaders claim the town's comprehensive plan, adopted in 1999, already protects the Belleview Biltmore, which is referenced about a dozen times. "
 

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050620/NEWS/506200373

Attorneys with expertise in preservation and municipal zoning laws are now advising town officials that they are on solid legal ground if they want to fight the demolition.

Tearing down the hotel, they said, is contrary to the town's long-range comprehensive plan and therefore would not be allowed by law.

"The city is not legally entitled to issue permits which violate its own comp plan," said Stephen Helfman, a Miami land use and zoning lawyer hired by the town.
 
   http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/888283171.html?MAC=cb2e63688cf96f480abb533c49232237&did=888283171&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Aug+27%2C+2005&author=LORRI+HELFAND&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Belleair+to+weigh+historic+preservation+rules
 

"She concurred with town leaders, who said existing town rules require an extensive review of the proposed demolition by officials and the public and that the town's comprehensive plan might not allow the hotel's destruction.

The existing rules protect the Biltmore, Stroud said, but she added that it would be better protected with an ordinance that has the details and procedures for preservation outlined."
 

***Readers note:  Thanks to the efforts of this Save the Biltmore nonprofit organization with this web site, we moved forward at the Belleair workshop meeting, October 4 2005, to make sure the interior of the Biltmore is protected as well as the exterior, a VERY important step to ensure that the historical charm that the inside will be preserved no matter who buys the hotel.  An amendment was passed that will ensure protection of the interior of the hotel.  We thank the commissioners and Mayor for their approving of this amendment.
 
 

Belleair’s Historic Preservation Ordinance  Clearwater Gazette October 27, 2005
By Renee Burrell

Diane Hein President Save the Biltmore Preservationists, commented before the vote, “I do hope that all of Belleair’s commissioners vote "yes" to pass it to show their support of saving the Biltmore Hotel. It will take 30 days for the ordinance to go into effect once passed, but preservation attorney Nancy Stroud has been quoted as saying that Belleair's Comprehensive Plan will protect the hotel from demolition.”   Belleair’s planning and zoning meeting convened on the 18th, with the historic preservation board on hand. Attorney Stroud reviewed the changes previously recommended by board members and commissioners, including stronger language to protect the hotel interior’s most significant elements with regard to location, design, material and workmanship. Stroud incorporated language in the ordinance that will enable Belleair to become a certified local government, opening doors to preservation grants, preserving the town’s heritage and attracting historical tourism.  According to the ordinance, Urdang will have to abide by the ordinance codes along with other historical property owners. One of which gives the town the authority to fine property owners who intentionally or inadvertently neglect historic sites.

http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20051013/biltmore.html  for full article

Belleair passes ordinance aimed at saving hotel from destruction  (readers note, only the first draft of the ordinance has passed)     By Leo Coughlin

BELLEAIR - The preservation ordinance aimed at keeping the historic Belleview-Biltmore hotel from being torn down was passed by the Town Commission on first reading October 4, but a leading advocate of preservation still isn’t satisfied.

Diane Hein, who led the fight to keep a developer from demolishing the hotel – the largest occupied wooden structure in the world - wants the Preservation Board to have enforcement powers.

Nancy Stroud, the lawyer whom the town engaged for the specific purpose of handling matters related to the hotel issue once plans were revealed that it might be torn down, said she favored the commission being the final authority on preservation matters.

Hein’s group had drummed up tremendous opposition to the DeBartolo’s group plans to demolish the hotel and build new residences.

Blocking Urdang’s plans boils down to a race to the barn, so to speak, because once the preservation ordinance takes effect in mid-November it will trump any plans to tear down the hotel.

The 25-page ordinance created by Stroud contains many elements including preservation of other historic homes and measures to prevent an owner of any designated historic structure from allowing the building to become decrepit through neglect.
 
http://www.clearwatergazette.com/20050929/biltmore.html  (for full article)

Biltmore preservation group wants no condo aspect in hotel  by Leo Coughlin
 

While it appears DeBartolo Development has backed off from its plans for a project on the site of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, a rival bidder for the property is a threat also, according to Diane Hein, president of Save the Biltmore Preservationists. (please note THIS web site!) Hein makes it clear that her group is opposed to the total demolition of the Biltmore. She wants complete historical preservation of the hotel. A lawyer specially engaged for the purpose, Nancy Stroud, has formulated a preservation ordinance that will be coming before the Belleair commission next month. Hein points out that the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is run as a successful hotel that has been extensively preserved through the efforts of a strong preservation ordinance. Other hotels in the country, she says, that are similarly run as successful hotels while being under preservation protection are Victorian Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island in Michigan and the Coronado Hotel in San Diego.

READERS:  We here at Save the Biltmore Preservationists are pleased that DeBartolo has backed off because their most recent plan was to demolish the north and south wings as of their presentation to Belleair last week. They backed off due to public pressure and lack of support by the town officials for their plans. My http://www.savethebiltmore.com/ web site has worked tirelessly to stop the total demolition of the Biltmore since April of this year, 2005.  I actually put up this web site in December, 2004, when I first heard the Biltmore was to be demolished.  I want to thank Biltmore supporters and Belleair citizens who attended town meetings and or wrote letters to help save the Biltmore over the past few months.

Our group is for historical PRESERVATION OF THE BILTMORE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT! The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables/Miami, Florida is run as a successful hotel which has been extensively preserved through the efforts of a strong preservation ordinance giving many decisions to their historic preservation board. The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida does NOT have high-end condo/hotel units in their historic hotel!!!   The historic Victorian Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island is run successfully with NO condo/hotel units!  The Victorian Hotel del Coronado Hotel in San Diego and the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas is successfully run with NO condo/hotel units!

     Biltmore T-shirt-Art 

 Shop at our online store!



NATIONAL TRUST PLACED THE BELLEVIEW BILTMORE ON ITS 11 MOST ENDANGERED LIST IN 2005
The National Trust included the Belleview Biltmore in a list it released on Thursday, June 2, 2005 of America's 11 most endangered historic places.   The National Trust has helped save many historical buildings through its efforts in bringing national awareness to historic places.  The Belleview Biltmore already has been placed on the Florida Trust's 11 most endangered historic places as a result of this save the Biltmore web site with so many people writing to this preservation organization and raising Florida State awareness per the ONE MINUTE EMAIL campaign.  The following quote is from the National Trust web site:   “Today, the Belleview Biltmore is still one of West Florida’s most picturesque and beloved landmarks–and a thriving destination as well, attracting thousands of guests yearly.  "Like other historic hotels, the Belleview Biltmore is a link to America’s past, offering guests top-quality accommodations with an appealing taste of history,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. “But unlike many other historic hotels that are threatened, this one is still doing a thriving business. That makes it doubly hard to understand why its demolition is necessary–or even sensible.”   For the complete National Trust article:  http://www2.nthp.org/11Most/2005/belleview.html Click the link below for the full story in the St. Petersburg Times, "Historic hotel added to endangered list  Belleview Biltmore supporters hope a national list will give them traction against demolition plans." By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer Published June 3, 2005 http://sptimes.com/2005/06/03/Tampabay/Historic_hotel_added_.shtml

 


ABOUT US: SAVE THE BILTMORE PRESERVATIONISTS

Welcome to Save the Biltmore Preservationists, Inc., a nonprofit organization.  A group of people dedicated to saving the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, all four wings and all guest rooms so this beautiful building remains a REAL historic hotel.   We welcome volunteers interested in helping us save the Biltmore.   We will NEVER own the hotel, and we are AGAINST any group that wants to put ultra modern hotel/condo units in the Biltmore that would require extensive remodeling and against anyone wanting to put condominiums around the Biltmore!  

Officers of Save the Biltmore Preservationists:
Diane Hein, President
Jamie Stone, Vice President
Doug Mann, Secretary/Treasurer

To be on my Biltmore Update mailing list to receive news of the Biltmore and hotel events and activities Email me Diane Hein.

In December, 2004, Diane Hein, launched this web site, http://www.savethebiltmore.com/ after it was reported that the Belleview Biltmore was to be torn down.  "I wanted to use this web site to help generate ideas to help save the entire hotel. Fortunately there was enough public support voiced that this did not happen, and the Biltmore was spared the wrecking ball!  I love historical buildings and artifacts, hence my interest in saving the Biltmore.

"On April 12, 2005, The St. Petersburg Times newspaper published an article indicating that the Belleview Biltmore AGAIN was under contract to be sold and destroyed.   They mentioned this web site, http://www.savethebiltmore.com/, as I had kept it up and running, as I felt that it would only be a matter of time until another attempt would be made to destroy it.  My worse fears came true.  Honeywell and Urdang had a contract to sell the Belleview Biltmore to the DeBartolo group and put condos in its place and possibly another hotel.  For nine months with much public support and the efforts of this web site, the Biltmore has been spared demolition. 

"My personal vision, along with another Biltmore friend, would be to have the Belleview Biltmore as a world class golf, tennis and tourist resort.   We could include more museums inside, woodworking and stained glass artifacts, classes and stores, to pick up on the fact that the Biltmore is the largest continually occupied wooden structure in the world.  (The Biltmore has an authentic glass Tiffany ceiling in the Tiffany ballroom.) We could include a Victorian lobby, Victorian decorated rooms for a higher price, beautiful gardens for people to walk around in and then later they could enjoy afternoon lunch or tea on Biltmore's lovely out door veranda.  A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times newspaper indicated that people are wanting more historical sites to visit, so the Victorian Biltmore would have a grand future ahead of her! And with Baby Boomers heading into retirement, they will want to go to historic places even more.  So how about it Supporters and friends of the Belleview Biltmore, this is the perfect opportunity for YOU to help us promote the Belleview Biltmore so that tourists have a historical place and perhaps all kinds of interesting museums inside the Biltmore to visit right here in Florida!

"To view some of the historical rooms of the Belleview Biltmore click:  Photos of the Biltmore. For more history on the Biltmore Hotel click: History of the Hotel

"Now that the Biltmore is saved, the purpose of this web site is to gain community, county, state and national awareness and attention to promote and preserve this historic Victorian hotel, the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, largest continuously occupied wooden structure in the world, built in 1896, Belleair, Florida, Pinellas County.   The Belleview Belleair Biltmore Hotel was built in shingle architectural style, Queen Anne, by Henry Bradley Plant and is on the National Historic Register.  Many famous dignitaries have been guests at this hotel including President George Bush, President Jimmy Carter, President Gerald Ford, the former King of England, (the Duke of Windsor) the Vanderbilts, the Pew family of Sun Oil, the Studebakers, the DuPonts, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Lady Margaret Thatcher.

"Join us and become a member to help preserve and promote the Biltmore.  Memberships include beautiful gifts and a certificate."

For a direct link to the Belleview Biltmore's web site click:  http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/


 

The Belleview Biltmore Hotel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  It helps qualify the hotel to receive historic tax credits for any renovation plans.

 

I have received many emails for this web site as a result of many media publications so I want to thank all of them for mentioning http://www.savethebiltmore.com/.   I also want to thank everyone who who emailed their support at this web site to save the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.   May everyone who loves this historic hotel join together to preserve it now so that it will be saved for our generation and for future generations to come.

If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive current events information and Belleview Biltmore  Updates about  the Biltmore, just click Belleview Biltmore Supporters Mailing List and I, Diane Hein, President of Save the Biltmore Preservationists, will add your name and email address to my mailing list.

In saving the golden treasures of the past, we bank on enriching the present and the future.

We are not just saving a hotel, we are saving history!
 


   Memberships---Join Us!
     
 
 


To see more cartoons from 2005 when the Belleview Biltmore Hotel was under threat of demolition, click drawing above, there are 5 total.


ORIGINAL NEWSPAPER AND FORMER MEDIA ARTICLES:

For a complete list of all newspaper and media stories from 1997 to the current date regarding the Belleview Biltmore click:

NEWSPAPER AND PUBLICATIONS

Below is a newspaper article from the St. Petersburg Times, April 12, 2005 relating to the destruction and preservation of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel; it is in this article that this web site, http://www.savethebiltmore.com/, was first mentioned in the news media. 

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/820812301.html?MAC=07be4c2b165589982c11220509ab67f4&did=820812301&FMT=FT&FMTS=FT&date=Apr+12,+2005&author=AARON+SHAROCKMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&printformat=&desc=Developers+set+to+buy+historic+hotel

Developers set to buy historic hotel
A company that planned to raze the Belleview Biltmore last year and build condos has the property under contract.

By AARON SHAROCKMAN and LORRI HELFAND

Published April 12, 2005

[Times files: Scott Keeler]
The Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa was opened in 1897 by railroad magnate Henry Plant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELLEAIR - The developers who tried to raze the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa and replace it with condominiums last year have the property under contract again, the company said Monday.

This time, however, the Tampa developers are not revealing their plans for the 19th century landmark.

DeBartolo Development, a company that primarily builds shopping centers, has had a deal in place for almost two weeks to buy the 244-unit resort, said Jay Adams, the company's development officer.

But no one from DeBartolo or the resort's current owners would discuss terms of the proposed sale or the future of the 160-acre resort, which includes a golf course and beach club.

"I can verify we do have it under contract," Adams said Monday afternoon, referring other questions to the company's president, Ed Kobel. Kobel did not return messages Monday.

DeBartolo was part of a group last year that proposed demolishing the hotel and replacing it with hundreds of condominiums, an idea that infuriated many residents in the small waterside community.

That plan flopped in January after developers said they could not win public support for the project.

Whispers of a second proposed sale swirled through Belleair over the weekend. Many residents have already promised another vociferous fight if plans include scrapping the historic hotel.

Someone has started a Web site: http://www.savethebiltmore.com/

For their part, town officials said on Monday they were again left in the dark. None of Belleair's five commissioners had heard a deal had been struck; they were upset the last time when they read about the potential sale of their most prized asset in the newspaper.

"I hope it's not true," said Commissioner Gary Katica. "It's such a part of this town I would think the people of Belleair would be in an uproar."

"It's going to stir up a lot of people," Commissioner Ernst Upmeyer said. "Basically, I have a great love for that building and I would hate for anything to happen to it."

Further fueling speculation about the hotel's fate, a local construction company asked the town last week about the procedure for demolishing a commercial property, though it would not say what it was.

The town of Belleair, which is about 2 square miles, has just a handful of commercial properties. The company, Cross Construction, would not discuss the project it is researching.

"That question should answer itself in a couple of days," said Dwight Hopkins, a representative.

An executive with the resort's current owners, Urdang and Associates, a Pennsylvania investment management firm, said Monday the firm does not comment on individual investments. Honeywell Inc., one of the larger shareholders in the Biltmore, said in a statement that decisions are made by the Pennsylvania company.

Richard Wilhelm, who runs the hotel, did not return calls seeking comment.

Former Town Commissioner Connie Mudano said it would be a tragedy if developers bulldoze the hotel, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

"This is a very valuable building. It's the center and soul of the town of Belleair," Mudano said. "It's the reason that Belleair exists."

Built by railroad tycoon Henry Plant and opened in 1897, the 820,000-square-foot Belleview Biltmore is regarded as the largest occupied wooden structure in the world and is one of Florida's few remaining historic hotels.

Presidents George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford have all been guests, as have baseball legends Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth. The Duke of Windsor once wintered there.

But more recently, the resort has struggled to stay afloat financially.

While managers have consistently said the hotel is solidly booked, some employees have said otherwise. In fact, the property has a history of steep losses for past owners.

Atlanta hotelier Salim Jetha, who bought the hotel for $16-million with his family in 1997, said a year later they were losing $228,000 a month.

Mido Development, the Japanese ownership group before that, at one point was reportedly losing more than $400,000 a month on the property it bought for $27-million.

Last month, a judge ordered the resort's owners to pay $36,000 to three companies - including the Tampa Tribune - it had neglected to pay. Brad Cranston, who runs a temp agency, said resort managers gave him the runaround when he tried to collect the $13,012 the resort owed him.

"They were pretty much playing games with me," said Cranston, franchise owner of Adecco Employment Services, which had at least three people working at the hotel for three months starting in April 2004.

Cranston took the resort to court. He said his company received half the money Monday morning.

[Last modified April 12, 2005, 05:57:09]

Click Newspaper and Publication Articles to read many, many more articles.
 


Here is a link to the Biltmore Hotel in Asheville.  I am placing this link in the hopes that a search engine will pick this link and help people to read this web site!  http://www.biltmore.com/


For a direct link to the Belleview Biltmore Hotel's web site in Belleair, Florida click:  http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/

Hotel Location

Belleview Biltmore Resort Hotel and Spa
25 Belleview Blvd. - Clearwater, Fl, Us 33756
244 rooms
 


 

 

All information in this web site is copyright protected, 2005, Diane Hein
    

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