The leading contender for the 22-acre property is Tampa-basedDeBartolo Group. Insiders tell GlobeSt.com the speculated contractprice is $12.2 million or $50,000 per room. Based on the landitself, that estimated price equates to $554,545 per acre or $12.73per sf--a bargain, brokers say, for a one-of-a-kind property openedin 1897 by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant.

However, representatives for the hotel's ownership group, headedby Pennsylvania real estate investor Scott Urdang, maintain the820,000-sf hotel is not for sale and is operating successfully,brokers following the sale speculation tell GlobeSt.com.

DeBartolo is also negotiating to include the resort's off-siteholdings, the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club and the BelleviewBiltmore Beach Club on Sand Key, in the acquisition deal,consultants familiar with the transaction tell GlobeSt.com. Thegolf courses at the nearby Belleair Country Club are not affiliatedwith the resort. Belleair is about five miles south of Clearwateron the Gulf of Mexico.