Will Historic Biltmore Hotel Be Demolished?

A proposed redevelopment of the Biltmore Hotel is missing one major feature – the historic hotel itself.

And that proposal is drawing heated criticism from the Belleair Commission.

The property owners met with the Belleair Commission Aug. 6 and presented a development of new town homes and condominiums on the 160-accre property at 25 Belleview Boulevard, according to TBNWeekly.com.

(A group called Save the Biltmore posted this accompanying YouTube video in 2012.)

But they also want to tear down the waterfront hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and has sweeping views of Old Clearwater Bay. The hotel was built in 1897 and retains many of its original features, including native Florida pine wood, handcrafted woodwork and Tiffany glass.

The developer presented an idea of building the homes in a Queen Anne style as a nod to the history of the site.

Commissioners said they want to preserve at least a portion of the old hotel.

City leaders also complained about overall poor upkeep of the property by the developers, including failure to keep up with landscaping, and broken fencing around the property.

Despite its current state of neglect, the old hotel is filled with history. Built by Henry Plant, it has hosted dignitaries and celebrities through the years, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth.

The commission will take up the issue again at its next meeting.