Search on for company to rebuild hotel
Council bosses are searching for a company to help rebuild the burnt out Belleisle mansion and turn it into a hotel again.
The listed building will cost £ 12.5 million to restore according to South Ayrshire Council.
This week ruling SNP and Labour councillors voted to press ahead with plans to transform the historic landmark into a 20 bedroom hotel and function venue.
The council said it is looking for a “private partner” to help fulfil the ambition following a Leadership Panel decision.
It said in a statement: “Specialist consultants will prepare a tender package, outlining how the joint venture will work. It’s anticipated that this will take around four months to complete.”
A council paper said the mansion would likely be leased as selling it previously failed.
Labour Councillor Brian McGinley, portfolio holder for resources and performance said: “Turning Belleisle House back into a prestigious hotel and events space is the right thing to do.
“We have around £ 1million to progress plans, but we will also need funding from the private sector to make this happen.”
The council recently bought the hotel for £ 154,000 after originally selling it in 2012.
Businessman John Campbell had plans to transform it into a five star destination.
Mr Campbell and other workers accidentally set fire to the hotel while working on the roof last year.
It was reduced to a shell after a devastating blaze.
Internally the Robert Burns fireplace was lost to the fire with work then carried out to make the roofless structure safe.
Historic Scotland is against any demolition so any refurbishment plan would likely incorporate what remains of the walls. Ayr Burgh Council purchased Belleisle Estate for the sum of £ 25,000 in 1926 to develop it as a park, with two golf courses.
The Scottish Baronial mansion is branded at risk and was originally built around 1787 with additions later.