Auction Benefits Save the Biltmore Effort

An online auction launched just in time for Valentine’s Day’s fast approach has a more serious purpose at its root.

Supporters of Save the Biltmore are hoping to use proceeds from the sale to offset legal expenses related to a lawsuit filed against the town of Belleair on Jan. 7. Preservations say the town violated its own comprehensive plan when it agreed to allow a developer to move forward with plans to demolish most of the historic structure to make way for condominiums.

The silent auction kicked off Thursday and runs through Feb. 11. Items up for grabs include a Victorian Valentine’s Day arrangement of red roses and baby’s breath in a vintage Czechoslovakia crystal vase. The single winner will also receive a Biltmore calendar and bookmark.

“We have a starting minimum bid of $30 after you donate just $5 to participate in the online auction,” a media release about the auction stated. “You can enter as many times as you want for just $5.”

The town commission in Belleair voted unanimously in December to approve a developer’s plans to raze most of the historic structure to make way for a town home and condominium development. A portion of the National Register of Historic Places-listed hotel will be saved for the creation of a boutique hotel.

The hotel was built in the 1890s by railroad tycoon Henry Plant.

To find out more about the auction or the Save the Biltmore effort, visit http://savethebiltmore.com/RedRosesSilentAuction.htm.

See Also:

• National Trust Urged Belleair to Save Biltmore
• Historic Belleview Biltmore Slated for Demolition
• Time Running Out for Belleview Biltmore

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