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Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is getting a $25M makeover
$10.5M will be spent on preserving the property, including roof repairs, new balcony doors and elevator upgrades
In an effort to stay competitive, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is undergoing a $25 million renovation.
The interiors of the 92-year-old historic hotel, built by Coral Gables founder George Merrick and hotelier John McEntee Bowman, are being renovated, as is the 18-hole golf course, designed by Donald Ross.
The funding will come in part from the city, which recently voted to allow the hotel to use half of its rent payments to help cover the costs. In September, the hotel’s owners completed a $550,000 renovation of the lobby, according to the Miami Herald.
About $10.5 million will be spent on preserving the property, including touch-ups to its roof, replacing balcony doors and upgrading the elevators. About $5.5 million will be spent replacing new windows.
Gene Prescott, president and CEO of the Biltmore Hotel, said hotel revenues declined by about 6 percent in 2017. He hopes the $25 million investment will help sharpen its edge in a market where much of the competition is newly built.
Renovations to the golf course include extending the course by more than 7,100 yards and adding new bunkers and enhanced short-game and range areas.
D’Shakil Designs and Studio 5 Design + Architecture are designing the project. The renovations are slated to be completed by the end of the year. [Miami Herald] – Amanda Rabines