European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 23, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                F 11 Magazine the. Cd coring he Bil Mote hol.1. A Rega Parodi a for Ocford an gang a in to 192o.T"tfT T 5T"mT n another Chance for Miami s Niv Styli time photo Bilm o r f by Vivian Marino associated press t he Miami Biltmore hotel was glittering playground Lor actors an gangsters a hideaway that imported foxes Tor Hunts and used Small helicopters called Auto gyros to transport guests to nearby Miami Beach and key Biscayne. But the hotel was a financial Flop and it shut its doors for the third time in 1968, leaving it prey to neglect and vandalism. Today developers Are planning to restore its splendor and Cash in on its Rich history. If a saudi Prince wants to come Here with his four wives hell have a place to stay said Joseph Herndon who As project manager estimates it will Cost $40 million to restore the Biltmore. The hotel s replica of the Giralda Tower in Seville Spain still stands tall and could attract celebrities when its five floors Are renovated Herndon said. The building opened on Jan. 15. 1926, and its foundation is solid but the Interior needs extensive work he said. Many Walls would have to be torn Down and new plumbing and electrical wiring Are needed. Hotels in the 20s weren t what they Are today Herndon said. Fortunately the most historical rooms Are in better condition than the  Coral Gables officials Hope to bring the Biltmore Back to life within three years through the restoration project to be managed by Worsham Brothers co. Of Miami. Its name will be changed to the Coral Gables Biltmore. Plans Call for a 285-room luxury hotel along with a private business club a health club two restaurants meeting and banquet rooms and 30,000 Square feet of office space Herndon said. What they re doing is restoration they re not gutting it out and making it  said or. Susan Wallace Reiling. Historical property administrator for the City of Coral Gables. It s the Way George Merrick would have wanted  she said. Merrick. Who founded Coral Gables a year before opening the Biltmore and John Mcentee Bowman president of the former Biltmore hotel Chain financed and ran the hotel. They dreamed of making the hotel a regal Paradise and it was even though they closed it by the end of the year. But it never made Money. The Biltmore had amenities not usually found in a 1920s hotel a yacht Basin two 18-Hole Golt courses an olympic size swimming Pool Riding stables Tennis courts and Gondola rides. It was Merrick who imported foxes and used Auto gyros. The original Cost of the hotel was $10 million and it took 10vi months to Complete. Ii was in the news because of its famous guess such As the Duke of Windsor presidential candidate Wendell Willkie. Rudy Vallee and Judy Garland. Some of its other claims to Fame or infamy a Young Johnny Weissmuller taught swimming lessons and set his first world record there. Fats Walsh a Henchman of crime Syndicate lord Arnold Rothstein. Was murdered there. His slaying never was solved and legend has it that the building is haunted with his presence. About eight months after its opening a killer Hurricane hit the Miami area. About 3.000 people were Given Refuge in the hotel. In 1929, new York gov. Al Smith leased the hotel during his presidential Campaign. He dubbed the 13lhfloor the Little White House. In the 1940s, the hotel became a veterans Hospital. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower stayed there for two weeks during the Winter of 1946. The City which now owns the building and an adjacent country club will receive a one time $300 000 fee and 3 a percent of receipts once the hotel is operating in a not yet signed 99-year lease with Worsham. Herndon said. He said construction is expected to begin Belore the end of the year with completion by the Spring of 1988. Monday september 23, 1985 the stars and stripes Page 13