SLEEPING BEAUTYPhotos/Text by Donna Malloy
Victorian Garden Party. The 10-piece Bayside Banjo Band serenaded guests of the Belleview Biltmore with their rendition of “Irritated” in B Flat, otherwise known as “Angry.” BELLEAIR - While the tarp over her green shingled roof continues to disintegrate, allowing rain drops to drench her rafters, this Belleair beauty will remain a lady in waiting. Not a hammer will be lifted in support of the Belleview Biltmore’s extensive $100 million restoration by owner Legg Mason Real Estate until the lawsuit filed by local residents Robert Swinehart, Fred Thomas and Scott Spencer has been settled. Originally, restoration of the Belleview Biltmore was slated to be completed in two years, but that deadline has now been extended to accommodate the pending lawsuit by one more year. Reporter Harlan Weikle of TBNWeekly stated that “in September 2008 the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court accepted a Writ of Certiorari filed by Belleair residents Robert Swinehart, Fred Thomas and Scott Spencer alleging the Town Commission gave preference to Biltmore owners, Legg Mason Real Estate Investors, during a quasi judiciary hearing to determine the fate of several requests for variances to existing town codes. The variances addressed a number of issues deemed key by Legg Mason to the successful, financial plan underlying LMREI’s restoration of the famous Victorian-era hotel and its spa, a project the developers estimate will cost $100 million. Among the variance requests: a new spa planned to be outside the hotel, facing a residential community near the property and a new multi-level hotel. In their suit, the complainants suggest that the commission acted prejudicially in its conduct of the public hearings, granting more time to the petitioner’s arguments and was in fact pre-determined to grant the variances requests. The hearings, they allege, were tainted by the commission’s evident favoritism toward the applicant.” But last Saturday, May 30th, 2009, under the shade of the famous “Heart Tree,” local residents were invited to pay tribute to the historical hotel and reminisce. Billed as a Victorian Garden Party, it was the Belleview Biltmore’s way of saying thank you to all who have supported her over the years. Music from the 10 piece Bayside Banjo Band floated in the air as ladies dressed in flowing Victorian dresses, complete with lace parasols to protect their delicate skin, drifted by. In contrast, guests who checked in for the last weekend strolled around the lawn in their bathing suits. But all enjoyed the lavish complimentary barbeque provided. Flipping burgers was none other than Executive Chef Etienne Jehl. Jehl has been credited with expanding the Belleview’s Sunday Brunch from an average of 65 people to over 400 in the course of 4-1/2 years. Today it wasn’t clear if his irritated eyes were caused by smoke from the grille or the closing of the hotel. By Monday, Jehl will be unemployed. “There’s no place for me” he stated. Sleeping Beauty will once again awake when the lawsuit is settled. In the meantime, let’s hope owner Legg Mason has financial staying power and also the tax payers of Belleair, who most likely will experience a tax increase due to lack of revenue from the non-operational Belleview Biltmore.
You’ve Got a Friend. Rae Claire Johnson, President of the nonprofit Friends of the Belleview Biltmore, collects e-mails from Belleview Biltmore supporters in an attempt to keep everyone posted as to the future restoration developments of the historic hotel.
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