Demolition work has begun to knock down part of the west wing of Sonesta Beach Hotel following damage from Hurricane Fabian.

Bulldozers have started pulling down the western part of the landmark building with the loss of just over 80 rooms after the structure was undermined.

The ground on the peninsula will remain an open lawn for weddings and outdoor receptions this season, said hotel owner Clifford Schorer.

He then plans to build low rise hotel accommodation to bring the room stock back up.

Mr. Schorer told yesterday that his plans to build housing on other parts of the large Southampton site have been put on hold until hotel occupancy builds up again.

But he insisted that no houses will be built on the main peninsula which will be reserved for hotel rooms.

Mr. Schorer has stated that his long-term plan is to demolish the entire main building and replace it with a new hotel.

Sonesta is due to re-open on May 15 with 100 rooms, increasing to 200 by June 1, and 300 by the end of the season.

Mr. Schorer said internal demolition to re-route plumbing and electrical equipment began four weeks ago, but the bulldozers went in about four days ago.

?Our first priority is to get the hotel up to about 70 percent occupancy, then we can add additional product,? said Mr. Schorer.

?Everything has been on hold until we get the hotel in order. Hurricane Fabian has just put everything on hold.?

Mr. Schorer said he would hope to start building housing on the site by 2005 into 2006.

Booking for the season are ?looking strong?, he said.

Wyndham International are about to replace Sonesta in managing the hotel.

Mr. Schorer he said he expected a pick-up in bookings in the next few weeks when Wyndham finally sign the management deal.