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DeBartolo backs off, won't buy Biltmore

A Belleair commissioner said the company was reacting to public opposition. But the prospect of demolition still haunts the landmark.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published September 21, 2005

BELLEAIR - DeBartolo Development has withdrawn its bid to buy the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, the company that manages the hotel properties confirmed Tuesday.

"The DeBartolo deal has expired and we are in negotiations with Rory (Hiller) and various others," said Urdang & Associates' chief investment officer, Vincent Sanfilippo.

While DeBartolo's withdrawal may spell a temporary reprieve for the 108-year-old hotel, the landmark still faces the prospect of being torn down.

"At this point in time, we intend to pursue a demolition permit," Sanfilippo said.

Urdang filed an application to raze the entire hotel in April and submitted additional application materials this month.

Sanfilippo previously told the town's historic preservation board that the property was an "under-performing asset" and a demolition permit would maximize development possibilities for potential buyers.

Hiller and his team, the Hiller Group, have made a $40-million offer on the Biltmore and plan to preserve both the hotel and its 136-acre golf course.

Town Commissioner Gary Katica said DeBartolo reacted to the public opposition to its plan.

DeBartolo presented its vision to save just part of the Biltmore and build 367 homes on the hotel's golf course at a town meeting last Thursday, the day before its contract expired.

"The simple explanation is that the people of Belleair spoke in a public forum, and they're no dummies, the DeBartolo group," Katica said.

DeBartolo Development's president, Ed Kobel, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Town Manager Steve Cottrell would not comment on the status of Urdang's application for a demolition permit, but two commissioners, Katica and Bonnie Ruggles, said Tuesday that Cottrell told them that Urdang's application was still incomplete.

Sanfilippo would not specify which parties, besides Hiller, are negotiating with his Pennsylvania-based pension-fund management company. He added that he did not know what the various parties' intentions for the resort were.

"We are in various stages of negotiations with various parties," Sanfilippo said. "Some are further along than others."

A letter faxed to Town Hall in July reveals that at least one other company, Marcus Hotels, is interested in the purchasing and preserving the Biltmore. J. David Merritt, senior vice president of development for Marcus Hotels & Resorts, wrote Scott Urdang, president of Urdang & Associates, to tell him that Marcus would like to discuss the project further if the proposed buyer is "unable to perform."

Meanwhile, the town is looking into adopting a historic preservation ordinance that could better protect structures like the Biltmore. The first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 4.

[Last modified September 21, 2005, 00:24:18]