Belleair Commission Views Plans For Restoring Historic Treasureby Anne McKay Garris
Rendering of Biltmore south view by RJ Heisenbottle Architects For three long years, the people of Belleair have struggled with what's to become of the 110-year-old Belleview Biltmore Hotel, a historic structure which has always been the focal point of the Town of Belleair. Several plans to replace the building which was, at one time, the world's largest wooden building under one roof, have been vigorously opposed by both Belleair residents and others in surrounding cities. Finally, last Tuesday night, there was a proposal which earned eager bursts of applause from the more than 150 citizens assembled in the Commission Chambers at Belleair City Hall. The first cheers were for the removal of the vastly unpopular pagoda style entrance placed on the Victorian style hotel several years ago. Legg Mason Real Estate Investors are the new owners of the Biltmore property. Joseph Pender, managing director of Legg Mason, shared his company's vision of creating a true historic renovation. "We envision," he said, "that this will be a resort and convention center which can compete nationally." But it will be much more. While restoring the facade and ambiance of the historic hotel, the company plans to make it an environmentally friendly property. They will not only place all of the parking underground, they will operate the hotel in keeping with the best environmental practices using energy efficient methods approved by the environmental organization, Leaves. Richard Heisenbottle, a Coral Gables architect whose firm specializes in historical restoration, is the architect for the project. He described some of the major changes contemplated. "We choose difficult projects," he said. "They are so much fun." According to Heisenbottle, plans contemplate removing the existing spa and replacing it with a 10,000 square foot ballroom space, big enough for events and conventions. The pool area will be changed from just a pool, to an "event pool" just below the current outdoor restaurant. There will also be other event oriented areas including tennis courts, and a wedding gazebo. The four Victorian style "cottages" on the campus will be restored and used for meeting spaces or rentals, "Maybe a wedding party would like to rent one of them for the week-end," said Heisenbottle. Also retained and restored will be the popular Tiffany Room and the downstairs pub. A five star dining room will be added. The golf course and club house, located down Indian Rocks Road from the Hotel Campus, are included in the plans for improvement as is the Belleview Biltmore property located on Sand Key. A new hotel and cabanas will replace the restaurant and swimming pool now located on the Sand Key property and the company hopes to reinstate the historic tradition of providing a launch to take hotel visitors directly across Clearwater Bay to the beach. An oldtimer in the audience pointed out that the launch tradition was so old that the "launch" originally was powered by sail. Representatives from several historic preservation organizations and local museums spoke to congratulate Belleair on the considerable effort which had brought them to this point. Others referred to work, still to be done, on tax credits and comprehensive plans. No one spoke to oppose the plan. Clearwater architect, Stephan Fowler, a member of the Belleair Town Commission for ten years, expressed his delight with the project. "As an architect, I am absolutely delighted that they are getting rid of that new front," he said, "and the most exciting part of the plan, for me, is they are saving the cottages. They are a charming representation of the Victorian times and they were the sacrificial lambs on all previous plans." Asked what he thought were the chances of the plan actually coming to fruition, Fowler said, "Town officials and my fellow commissioners show every indication of wanting to make this happen. I believe it will be a major destination resort, of regional, if not national reputation."
Rendering of Biltmore south view by RJ Heisenbottle Architects
|