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A happy ending for the Biltmore
By RITA FARLOW
Published March 9, 2007
BELLEAIR - An international asset management firm in Baltimore announced Thursday it wants to buy and save the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa. Executives with Legg Mason Real Estate Investors would not disclose the proposed purchase price or the closing date, but said in a written statement they had a contract to buy the resort and intend to preserve the 110-year-old hotel. "Our No. 1 goal is to devise an economically feasible plan to rehabilitate and restore this landmark property," Legg Mason managing director Joseph Penner said in a press release. Reached Thursday, Penner confirmed the purchase contract but declined to comment further. Vince Sanfillippo, the chief investment officer for the hotel's current owner, Urdang Capital Management, did not return a call late Thursday afternoon. But Legg Mason's announcement quoted Sanfillippo as saying the buyer's plan for the resort's future was an important factor in reaching a deal. A preservationist who led a 2 1/2-year fight to save the 820,000-square-foot hotel applauded the agreement. "It's a perfect solution for the hotel because they want to save it and they want to save the golf course," said Rae Claire Johnson, president of Friends of the Belleview Biltmore. "It's just exactly what we demonstrated for and why we asked the city to put the protections on the property, and these people are willing to abide by those protections," she said. Preservationists have fought to save the historic hotel, which was built by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant, ever since DeBartolo Development announced plans to raze the hotel and build condominiums on the property, said G. Michael Harris, who is on the town's historic preservation board. That deal fell apart in 2005. Harris said saving the hotel has far-reaching implications. "It's just as important for the residents of Belleair as the whole future of Pinellas County and the state of Florida," he said. "It's preserving history for future generations." Legg Mason is involved in the redevelopment and restoration of two historic buildings into a new hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. Times staff writer Lorri Helfand contributed to this report. Rita Farlow can be reached at farlow@sptimes.com or 727 445-4167. Fast Facts: Preserving history Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa - Built by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant. Opened in 1897. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 1979. - Includes 244 rooms, 13,000-square-foot Tiffany Ballroom, 18-hole golf course Legg Mason Real Estate Investors - Provides "creative and flexible" commercial real estate financing. - Part of publicly traded Legg Mason Inc., the world's fifth largest asset manager, with assets of more than $800-billion.
[Last modified March 8, 2007, 22:12:25]
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by Pamela
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05/13/07 08:31 AM
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M/M Johnson, thank you! Legg Mason Inc., your a goodsend! Belleview Biltmore has sat like a grand lady of noble character turned street person. How sad. We've housing, malls, hotels a plenty. There only one B/B! Thank you Legg Mason(noble)Investors!
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by Teri
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03/22/07 01:33 PM
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Bravo!!!! This building is very significant to Flordia's architectural hertiage, a true gem.
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by Tyler
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03/10/07 09:12 PM
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My wife and I met at the the Belleview Biltmore and will now have the pleasure to return many more times.
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by Rob
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03/10/07 02:27 PM
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Let's have a welcoming celebration for these saviours! Thanks to the tireless efforts of Ron and Rae Claire! Pray that this comes to fruition.
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by Phil
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03/10/07 07:18 AM
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When I relocated here(1993) after serving in the Marine Corps, the Belleview Biltmore was my first job down here. It was a great experience to see the ins and outs of this piece of history. I hope it can survive another 100 years.
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by Drew Finn
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03/10/07 12:26 AM
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Best news we have had around here in years. The Biltmore should be saved. Really unusual here in Pinellas (and Florida in genereal) where the only concern is building up an paving over.
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by Casey
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03/09/07 09:42 PM
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Best news in a long time ! Hope this stops some of the idiots in Belleair that were going to let the hotel be torn down and the golf course to become condos. The people who supported getting rid of the Biltmore like the mayor should be voted out.
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by Gen
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03/09/07 04:36 PM
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Best news I've read all day! This structure must be preserved for future generations....
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by Jo
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03/09/07 01:38 PM
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Perserverance sure pays. If there were more people like Rae Claire Johnson we would not be losing historical landmarks.
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by Ann
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03/09/07 12:35 PM
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Hopefully this means they will be tearing down the hideous glass and steel lobby and recreating the gracious entrance of the old hotel as part of their renovation plan. What wonderful news.
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by Bill
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03/09/07 11:20 AM
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I'm so glad to see that some citizens look beyond the almighty dollar and realize that Florida's history is slipping away with the demolition of old Florida and rebuilding with glass and steel just to make money. Good for you!
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by Louise
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03/09/07 10:55 AM
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This is Wonderful! Hope it comes into reality.
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by debbie
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03/09/07 08:05 AM
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Thank you,thank you,thank you
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