An extensive renovation of the ground floor at the publicly-owned, privately managed Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables — one of the most significant and treasured architectural landmarks in Florida — has stripped off or covered over historic design features and decorative details on the building’s ground floor and was done without permits or authorization, city officials say.
On Wednesday, the city code-enforcement department affixed a stop-work red tag to the hotel’s ground-floor valet entrance and cited the hotel’s longtime operator, Seaway Hotels Corp., for doing plumbing, electrical and other work without required permits. The city also issued the company a notice that it will be in default of its 50-year-lease with the city for doing the unauthorized work, which was still underway when the job was stopped, if it doesn’t correct the violations within 45 days.
Seaway’s president, Tom Prescott, said he will comply with all city requirements and has already applied for some of the necessary permits…