Money or Historical Preservation?

[Aidensmom]

Near where I live, there is a hotel, the Belleview Biltmore, built in the late 1800's, which is the largest occupied wooden structure in the WORLD. DH and I love this place, we have stayed there for 'romantic getaways' and just to go visit for tours. (It's also rumored to be haunted, and we have been waiting for some sightings.)

The evil DeBartolo corporation is trying to buy it, so they can tear it down and build condos!!!!

There is an effort to save it (and I am one who participates in the effort), but for the most part, people are apathetic.

Would you think this property is more important for the money it can make DeBartolo or for the preservation of our history? Why are there so few people who care?

 

[SherryNC]

Fondly known as “The White Queen of the Gulf,” the rambling Belleview Biltmore is an ageless grand dame that has welcomed presidents, business tycoons, European royalty, and home-grown aristocrats since 1897. During World War II, the elegant Belleview was pressed into service to provide housing for the U.S. Army–but as soon as the war ended, the hotel resumed its familiar role as a favored vacation retreat for VIPs, movie stars and sports icons. Today, the Belleview Biltmore is still one of West Florida’s most picturesque and beloved landmarks–and a thriving destination as well, attracting thousands of guests yearly. But as with many historic hotels, their prime locations are attractive to developers who wish to cash in on real estate values by converting the hotels into condominiums. In the case of the Belleview Biltmore, its location on 21 acres beside Clearwater Harbor has prompted the owners to apply for permits to demolish the hotel. They have entered into an agreement with a developer who plans to build houses and condominiums on the site. Protection under local law is very limited for the Belleview Biltmore, and unless someone comes to the White Queen’s rescue soon, this icon of Victorian charm and Southern hospitality will be destroyed.

“Like other historic hotels, the Belleview Biltmore is a link to America’s past, offering guests top-quality accommodations with an appealing taste of history,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. “But unlike many other historic hotels that are threatened, this one is still doing a thriving business. That makes it doubly hard to understand why its demolition is necessary–or even sensible.”

Opened in 1897, the Belleview Biltmore was built by Henry B. Plant. The hotel is four-and-a-half stories and is the largest wood-frame building in Florida.

Plans are in progress to demolish the hotel in order to construct residential properties.

Only the purchase of the Belleview Biltmore (with preservation in mind) will save it from being demolished


http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/timeline/index.html

 

[Planogirl]

Preservation is definitely the most important thing because once something like that is gone, it's irreplacable. Greed often wins out though unfortunately.

 

[MouseEars4us]

Oh No! How Horrible!
I have never been there, but I have a fond spot for historical buildings. I hate when someone wants to tear down a lovely, old, working building to make way for something new! My great grandparents used to visit Clearwater in the early 1930's and 40's, I wonder if they stayed there?

I hope someone comes up with the money to save it!

 

[Aidensmom]

Oh No! How Horrible!
I have never been there, but I have a fond spot for historical buildings. I hate when someone wants to tear down a lovely, old, working building to make way for something new! My great grandparents used to visit Clearwater in the early 1930's and 40's, I wonder if they stayed there?

I hope someone comes up with the money to save it!

Our organization has a buyer that is willilng to purchase it at the inflated price DeBartolo is offering (DeBartolo is the guy who owned the SF Giants and was kicked out of the NFL for his lack of integrity, and also owns half the malls and other property in this country). Problem is, last year there were some unreputable people in office in the town of Bellaire (that are no longer there ) who signed a contract with DeBartolo, who cares only about the money. If he backs down (and there are some legal things that may be able to be used to get him to do so, now that the town attorney is not in cahoots with him), then we will be on the road to doing so.

What bothers me is the fact that so few people care.

 

[Planogirl]

Is the National Trust helping much? I'm a member and I like to hear that they're throwing their weight around in cases like these.

 

[N.Bailey]

Certainly not the money!

 

[Aidensmom]

Is the National Trust helping much? I'm a member and I like to hear that they're throwing their weight around in cases like these.

Trying to. We are now in the top 11 (actually we are #1 of buildings in the USA to be preserved), but you have to meet certain qualifications to be deemed an historic monument, and if the buyer we have lined up is able to purchase, we will be able to do so. Our problem is getting DeBartolo out of the picture.

 

[Planogirl]

Don't ever let up on the pressure and the publicity. I've watched some people in the small Texas town of Mineral Wells struggle to preserve the old Baker Hotel there completely without the town's cooperation. One of the council members wanted the site for a parking lot in fact.

There's still not a solution but the fact that the hotel still stands after several years is due to the people who care never letting up on the pressure. I hope that they succeed just as I hope you do!!!

This is the Baker Hotel:

 

[Aidensmom]

For anyone who might be interested, this is one of the pictures I took where there is an "orb", which many people believe are how supernatural beings show up in photographs. I have NEVER taken pictures before where we have these, but a ton of pictures at this hotel have these show up. (and no, it is not the moon)

 

[luvthatduke]

Don't give up hope!
I am a preservationist when it comes to historical buildings.
Make friends with people at your local paper,
even the colleges.
Encourage them to write articles about what's
going on and why it's important.
I've known some groups, if they had the funds,
to take out a half or full page add in the local paper(s),
once or twice depending on how expen$ive it is.
This can help raise awareness.
I really hope you are successful.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I agree it should be preserved but I wonder if people just don't care, don't have enough info, or have been sold on something else going there being better for the community at large. I know condos suck but they would probably bring in tax revenue that this hotel might not. My guess is probably a bit of "oh well" attitude and not enough publicity.

 

[Planogirl]

Interesting hotels bring in visitors who spend money in shops, restaurants and other venues. That brings in a steady stream of sales tax which also has to be considered. Plus hotel visitors generally pay enormous hotel tax rates.

Condos are a way to make a quick buck but aren't necessarily all that great on down the road.

 

[Pin Wizard]

The evil DeBartolo corporation is trying to buy it, so they can tear it down and build condos!!!!

There is an effort to save it (and I am one who participates in the effort), but for the most part, people are apathetic.

Would you think this property is more important for the money it can make DeBartolo or for the preservation of our history? Why are there so few people who care?

So sorry to hear that. We'll have the same thing happen here in a few years once Fort Monroe is actually closed. So much history is there, and a few months ago there was talk about developers tearing it down and putting "upscale" homes on the bay. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! There are buildings there that are literally crumbling down and are roped off, but they still exist! In all this time they haven't been torn down. Must be the historical significance of it I would think. Some )(*&(*&)(#Y%&**U%A$ developer is going to do it? Fort Monroe is also a National Historical Site. Many people want to know if being so protects it in any way. Horrible that it survives centuries and now it's down to this.

There is a hotel located there also...which was closed after 9/11.

I think as long as something doesn't affect someone personally, they aren't going to go out fighting for something like this.

http://147.248.251.93/monroe/sites/local/default.asp

Just a bit from the web page:

THIS MONTH IN FORT MONROE HISTORY....
August 2, 1861 - BG Butler bans sale of liquor at Fort Monroe
August 3, 1861 - First American "aircraft carrier," a balloon on the USS Fanny, launched near Fort Monroe
August 7, 1861 - Hampton burned by Confederates
August 26, 1861 - Union forces leave Fort Monore to attack North Carolina coast

 

[totalia]

While it would be nice to keep it, to be honest nothing can stay the same forever.

In a country ruled by its corporations and money, the fact that they are trying to do this shouldn't be a surprise in the least. It may be wrong but America is ruled by its money. Glad someone realizes that.

 

[luvthatduke]

In a country ruled by its corporations and money, the fact that they are trying to do this shouldn't be a surprise in the least. It may be wrong but America is ruled by its money. Glad someone realizes that.

Tell us again, totalia, why you're in such a rush to
get married and move down here?