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Wooden icon gets new green life

The governor endorses an energy efficiency project at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa.

By RITA FARLOW, Times Staff Writer
Published November 21, 2007

Gov. Charlie Crist leaves the Belleview Biltmore after a news conference Monday where he addressed Legg Mason Real Estate Investors' energy efficiency certification and preservation efforts of the historic building.
	[Douglas R. Clifford | Times]

BELLEAIR - The new owners of the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa are taking steps to make the renovation of the 110-year-old landmark environmentally friendly.

At a news conference Monday, Legg Mason Real Estate Investors of Los Angeles announced their plans to seek "LEED" certification for the resort, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The designation is supplied by the U.S. Green Building Council for buildings that meet a lengthy set of environmentally responsible standards.

"We're here today to set the stage for the future, and I can tell you it's a grand vision. This resort will be reborn as a modern energy-efficient, LEED-certified, green building while retaining all of its historical significance and its grandeur," said Joe Penner, managing director for Legg Mason.

Legg Mason paid nearly $30.3-million for the landmark in June. Renovations will take about 21/2 years. The cost is likely to exceed $100-million, Penner said.

Gov. Charlie Crist was at the press conference at the hotel's original entrance to thank the key players for their commitment to preserving the structure while protecting the environment.

"I grew up in Pinellas County," Crist said. "This is home. And, you know, when you grow up in a place as pretty as this, you want to try to make sure it's protected, that you take care of it, that you do the right thing in the process."

Penner outlined some of the ways his team - including Heisenbottle Architects of Coral Gables - will seek certification.

The existing electrical, heating and cooling systems will be replaced with updated, energy-efficient versions.

Salvageable materials will be reused. And current asphalt parking lots will be replaced with an underground garage to create more green space.

Building "green" makes sense, Penner said. Although construction and materials can be more expensive up front, decreased operating costs mean savings in the long run.

"At the end of the day, you do recoup that savings over time, and, in reality, it's the right thing. For a property of this caliber, this type of feeling, to create something that will be a modern green building for the future," Penner said.

"Will it cost more? Yes," he said. "Is it worth it in the long run? Absolutely. We want something we can really look back on and be proud of."

John Hildreth, director of the southern office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, lauded preservation efforts that focus on environmental sustainability.

"We believe that the greenest building is the one that already exists," Hildreth said. "We believe, as well, that traditional preservation practices are compatible with environmentally sound building principals."

In 2005, the Biltmore was placed on the organization's list of 11 most endangered historic places.

Hildreth said he hopes to return someday to see the resort atop a different list: the National Trust's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, which honors unique communities committed to preservation.

Rita Farlow can be reached at farlow@sptimes.com or 727 445-4162.

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 21:27:20]