The Biltmore hotel is a dream in and of itself. Built in 1926 under the watchful eye of George E. Merrick, the Biltmore was to be the center of his city of Coral Gables, drawing the rich and famous from around the world to South Florida with events of culture, fashion and sports. It worked, and in a short time the Biltmore had indeed become the center of attention it was intended to be.
While Merrick is credited with the idea and creation of Coral Gables and the Biltmore, the truth is that Merrick's work was half his own dream and half the dream of his unknown benefactor, a society woman from Boston, named Anastasia McKeena. She had followed the development of South Florida closely since the beginning, and when the time was right she met with Merrick in order to discuss plans for the future. Coral Gables was the result of those talks.
Merrick, wanting to thank Anastasia for all the help she provided in the creation of the Gables, came up with an unique idea. After consulting with several architectural firms, Merrick choose and commissioned one of them to create "a great hotel...which would not only serve as a hostelry to the crowds which were thronging to Coral Gables but also would serve as a center of sports and fashion". Once he had the plans he presented them to Anastasia, as a gift; she simply adored them. Immediately the construction began, and a year later the Biltmore opened its doors to the world. To honor Anastasia, and her request that her name to be left out of any and all records, he named the road on which the Biltmore stood after her. Hence, Anastasia Avenue was born.
The Biltmore's history spans more than 70 years and a host of events that have shaped the stones and imbued them with a personality of their own. Surviving through the economic catastrophe of the 1920's and 1930's by hosting a myriad of galas and events for the nation's wealthy and famous, with the onset of World War II, the hotel saw its marble floors covered with government-issue linoleum, its magnificent windows sealed with concrete, as the once world-renowned hotel was converted into an Army Air Forces Regional Hospital.
Many were those that died within the halls during those years; their ghosts still linger around the place, wandering the rooms that once held their lifeless bodies and those of their comrades. The hotel remained a hospital until 1968.
In 1973 the hotel passed into the possession of the City of Coral Gables. Anastasia, who had been living in Europe during most of the 20th century, returned to New York in the early 80's, only to learn of the sad fate of her monumental gift. Making arrangements through a number of companies and agencies all ultimately tied or owned by Anastasia, she convinced the city to restore the hotel to its full grandeur. Almost four years, and a hefty $55 million dollars (many funded by Anastasia herself through charities and funds), it was complete. On December 31st, 1987, Anastasia walked into the reception hall of the newly restored Biltmore Hotel; she was finally home.
In June of 1992, a multinational consortium led by Seaway Hotels Corporation, a Florida hotel management
company, officially became the new owners and operators of The Biltmore. No one has any idea that Seaway Hotels Corporation is owned in part by a Miss Anastasia Stovinskaya. By now Anastasia had made the hotel's Merrick Suite, the Biltmore's most grandiose suite, occupying the whole 15th floor of the tower, the highest location in the hotel, her permanent home and base of operations for Clan Toreador.
The Biltmore Hotel is considered Elysium, and it's one of the few places where, despite being the headquarters of Clan Toreador, many of Miami's Kindred meet away from dirty politics and backstabbing schemes. The Biltmore Hotel is, truly, a palace.
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