By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
BELLEAIR — There's plenty of interest in the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa.
Just a week after a Tampa lawyer made a mysterious inquiry about the Biltmore, a hotel spokesman said a number of potential buyers and investors have visited the hotel's properties.
"We get requests from ownership to take people on tours frequently," hotel golf club general manager Chuck Eade told Belleair town leaders at Tuesday night's town meeting.
Eade had two tours last week, one on Monday and another one is scheduled for next week.
"There's an international interest," Eade said after the meeting.
Some visitors were local. Others were from Europe or South America, he said.
Eade, who works for the management company hired by the owner, wasn't able to fill in officials on any potential deals or when he may know more.
Joe Penner, a consultant for the owner, Los Angeles-based Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, said he wasn't able to offer any information now, either.
Tampa lawyer Ron Weaver, who made last week's inquiry, declined to comment.
The Biltmore closed more than a year ago for a three-year, $100 million makeover. Now its future is uncertain.
Eade said most of the visitors are talking about keeping a hotel on the Biltmore property. Just one mentioned condos, he said.
Lorri Helfand can be reached at lorri@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4155.