This is the Belleview Biltmore located in Belleair, Florida. It was built in 1897 from Florida Lighter Wood Heart Pine. This lovely resort joined the U.S. National Register of Historical Places in 1979 and was given a historical preservation ordinance by the City of Belleair in 2005. Yet this hotel is not safe. It's very future is in the balance as the current owners have submitted a request for a demolition permit as they desire to tear it down and replace it with Condos, like Florida needs more empty condos.
Since our first visit to the Biltmore the night of our wedding, my DH and I have always talked about how great it would be to own this wonderful hotel. It was always a far off and nebulous dream, but a dream all the same. The thought that investors would be so callous as to destroy this wonderful soul fulfilling national landmark fills me with tears each time I read about its current state.
I have stood on those grounds, I have listened to the stories, and heard the echos of the past in those halls. So you know what I say? If I won the lottery I would buy this beautiful Lady of the Gulf, returning her to her former glory and give thanks everyday that this hotel could stand for future generations to love as I do. To many people get caught up in the here and now. If this hotel is razed it will never come back. It will indeed be gone forever. Yes, famous people have stayed here, but that isn't what it at stake. If the Beautiful Belleview Biltmore is demolished, the community, state, country, and perhaps even the world will lose a piece of ourselves. A piece we might never have known was there will be lost forever, leaving us with a void we can never fill.
So I stand up and say I love this Hotel, I love everything about it, be she bright and beautiful, or tired and worn desperate once again for a loving owner to fill the void left by a decade of loveless owners. I love this place and I will do everything I can to keep her safe. For more information please visit http://www.savethebiltmore.com/.
4 comments:
Oh, fun! I'd like to live there.
Elizabeth, I wish I lived there too! At least a visit! Steph
Isn't it so sad to see a building like that in danger? It looks so beautiful. I'm with you, I'd love to live there too, but only if I could have the staff to keep it and the grounds looking wonderful.
It's pretty impressive. I wouldn't mind living there myself.
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