Politics & Government

Should Historic Biltmore Be Saved?

Developers plan to demolish the grand hotel, but promise to build town homes and condos in a Queen Anne style.

The historic Biltomore Hotel – with its Tiffany glass and original Florida pine floors – may be worth more as rubble than as a local landmark.

The proposed developers of the 160-acre waterfront property came before the Belleair Commission on Aug. 6 with a clear message for local leaders: The 1897 hotel, built by Henry Plant, is not worth the price of preserving.

Instead, they proposed a residential development of town homes and condominiums at 25 Belleview Boulevard, according to TBNWeekly.com

(A group called Save the Biltmore posted this accompanying YouTube video in 2012.)

Although the large hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the recognition will not prevent it from being demolished. It sits on prime real estate that has sweeping views of Old Clearwater Bay.

The developer presented an idea of building the homes in a Queen Anne style as a nod to the history of the site. But the hotel, with its green sloping roofs, would be bulldozed.

Commissioners said they want to preserve at least a portion of the old hotel.

City leaders also complained about overall poor upkeep of the property by the developers, including failure to keep up with landscaping, and broken fencing around the property.

Despite its current state of neglect, the old hotel is filled with history. Built by Henry Plant, it has hosted dignitaries and celebrities through the years, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth.

The commission will take up the issue again at its next meeting.


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