By Peter Roos
Pass-A-Grille Way is much improved after three years of reconstruction. The city has been working to restore its leaky aging sewer system for what seems like a decade. Final sewer work, power undergrounding and the rebuilding of the old Howard Johnsons into a “new” Hilton Garden Inn caused serious traffic backups on southbound Gulf Blvd. and in both directions for most of the past year. We might as well get used to it. Now that the sewer system reconstruction is wrapping up, the heat is about to be turned up on several development and redevelopment plans that have been simmering, waiting for, or pending approval.
Construction of the prospective Corey Landings project, 343 luxury apartments at the east end of Corey Avenue, should disrupt few, thanks to the dead-end nature of the location, other than perhaps some of the folks coming to hear the Tom Kats 16-piece Big Band on Monday nights at the Blue Parrot.
We should be learning more soon about redevelopment of the Tradewinds Resort property, including the old Coral Reef site, where the 217-room Sugar Sands was proposed five years ago. They were already the largest on Florida’s West Coast and have also since acquired the Alden Suites Resort, adjacent to the Coral Reef property on the north side, which had been owned by the Renfrow family since the 50’s. Mayor Al Johnson has said that he has met with the Tradewinds’ owner to discuss plans for redevelopment, and he likes what he has heard.
Veteran hotel developer Kevin Bowden had the Cambria in the heart of Madeira Beach built from scratch. Later this year, he plans to replace the 42-room Schooner with a brand new nine-story, 56-room boutique resort. His investment group had also purchased the Miramar Resort at 4200 Gulf Blvd. in 2017 and hopes to demolish the existing 27-room 1953 motel and build a 7-story, 54-room “Luxury boutique hotel.” As the first project likely to be built on the sand after the lifting of the sewer hookup moratorium, the Miramar is getting its share of scrutiny. Commissioners have the authority to allocate a limited number of rooms from a pool of development rights in the boutique hotel district. The Miramar needs 15 of those. A resolution authorizing redevelopment of the Miramar Resort at a height greater than 50 feet and density greater than 30 units per acre, including 15 units from the “Boutique Hotel District Density Pool” and rooftop bar, passed unanimously on first reading in February 2021 and became final with approval of a conditional use permit on April 27th, 2021.
The Don Cesar Resort is planning to build a 10,000 square foot convention and meeting space over the parking lot at the north side of the historic hotel. Completed in 1929, the resort made it through the great depression thanks to a spring training contract with the New York Yankees. It served as a veteran’s rehab facility after the war and was almost torn down.
There are several other redevelopment projects that had been announced, then shelved. Robert Czyszczon of Plaza Beach Resort proposed to be the first resort redeveloped under the city’s new comprehensive plan, but they decided to go retro and embrace the “old Florida feel” of the location.
I am hoping that all these developers will be cautious in the selection of their construction partners, to ensure that they are reliable, skilled, environmentally conscious, and preferably, locally based. Here is a sign I would like to see on some of these construction sites. They do great work, have recent experience building on our beach and even more recently on our neighbors’ beaches to the south. Our cover photo this month, the Zota Beach Resort on Long Boat Key in Sarasota, is a recent accomplishment of a locally based, family-owned and run construction company that likely looks a lot like some of ours will.
Biltmore Construction Co., Inc., located at 1055 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Belleair, has been building along our Florida beaches for over six decades: Sandalwood Hotel in 1957 (Redington Beach), Schrafft’s Motor Inn in 1965, Sirata Hotel addition in 1989, Holiday Inn addition in 1990 (St. Pete Beach), original Clearwater Beach Hotel in 1988, Howard Johnson’s, Sea Stone Suites 1988, Sea Wake Hotel Renovations 1988, and Sheraton Sand Key Resort 1975 (Clearwater Beach). During that time, they have developed a reputation as a high-quality local builder that understands the unique needs and conditions of Florida beaches environmentally and sustainably. Their structures have stood the test of numerous Category IV Hurricanes in the Keys.
“My dad moved us here from Cheraw, South Carolina, right at the end of World War II, when I was three years old. He worked for a developer and his job was to buy up land. At that time, Belleair Estates was heavily overgrown with alligators and snakes,” says Ed Parker Jr., CEO of Biltmore Construction. “I believe he bought the whole plot of land for about $250,000. He cleared the land, got some different house plans and started selling houses.
“That was in 1946 and the beginning of beautiful Belleair Estates. In 1954 he founded Biltmore Construction and since that time our focus in private commercial construction has included hotels, condos, luxury resorts and spas along with office buildings, banks, restaurant and retail. I remember back in 1991 when MIDO bought the Belleview Biltmore Hotel. We really enjoyed helping them restore it. Our conference table is made with wood from the Belleview Biltmore. It’s our way of carrying some of our past into the future.”
Biltmore Construction’s most recent luxury hotel project was The Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key. This new six-story luxury oceanfront hotel tower and lobby connecting to the hotel’s existing five-story tower included all amenities such as new pool, restaurant, banquet and meeting rooms, administration and staff offices, and luxury spa. Site work included beachfront alterations, updated entrance, outside waterfall, tropical landscaping, and new parking. In 2020, it was named one of the top 30 resorts in the state. Guests seem to like it.
Other key residential and hospitality projects include:
- Safety Harbor Spa
- Station Square Residences & Shoppes
- South Garden Condominium
- Harbor Oaks
- 440 West
- Bayshore Heights
- Cabana Club
- Pierce 100
- Sailfish Point Beach & County Club
- Pasadena Yacht & Golf Club
- Westchase County Club
- Belleview Biltmore Golf Club
They have 1,000 online reviews with an average of well over 4 stars. Room rates are regularly in the $450 range and desirable rooms on weekends can be close to $1,000/night.
Speaking of reviews, Biltmore Construction has more than their share of accolades too. Mark Pistillo of Pinellas County Real Estate Mgmt. said, “Biltmore Construction performed exceptionally well. Project finished early and under budget. The project manager and project superintendent always handled the county’s internal users concerns effectively and courteously. Just a great project!”
“Biltmore Construction has completed over 25 projects for the college ranging from minor repairs, renovations, site and drainage modifications to additions to existing buildings. Most recently they completed the new James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences (LEED Platinum) with a total budget of $30 million dollars, as well as several other major projects including the Peter Armacost Library, the Iota Student Residences, the GO Pavilion, and currently construction of a new Visual Arts Building.
“Biltmore and their staff have always demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and an extraordinary spirit of cooperation and commitment to any challenge we have requested. They continually meet, and most often exceed, the College’s schedules and provide quality workmanship. Biltmore has my highest recommendation for any project that may arise.”
–William J. McKenna, Jr., Eckerd College, Director, Planning Development and Construction
“The Biltmore Team has always provided the highest quality of work here at USF St. Petersburg with budget and typically ahead of schedule.”
–John Dickson, USF St. Pete Campus, College of Marine Science
“Biltmore Construction performed at a very high level, with a strong focus on quality and meeting the needs of the customer. They were integral members of the design team. During both design and construction phases, they were committed to the city’s desire to build a high-quality building with great attention to detail and functionality. They took a very personal interest in ensuring the success of the project.”
–Henry P. Schubert, City of Largo, City Manager
Check out their website at www.biltmoreconstruction.com.