The Belmont Hotel is to be sold to an American businessman who has recently acquired Bermudian status, it was revealed yesterday.

The hotel's owners, the Forte Hotel Group, announced it had accepted an offer from Richard Halsey to buy the 151-bedroomed Warwick property.

Mr. Halsey, who said he had been involved as an individual in property development in Florida for 25 years, said he planned to demolish the hotel and turn it into a hotel and condo development with refurbished golf course.

He said plans were at a preliminary stage and he could not say yet when the new property, which closed in November 1998, will open.

Mr. Halsey, the nephew of W.F. "Chummy'' Hayward, said he stepped in after a lengthy exclusivity agreement Forte had with New Jersey-based James Dwyer Hospitality Group was cancelled earlier this year.

Speaking exclusively to The Royal Gazette yesterday, Mr. Halsey said: "It's a wonderful opportunity and in my estimation one of the best properties in Bermuda for sale for commercial development.

"My family are originally from Bermuda and I've been visiting relatives two or three times and this was shown to me four months ago and was under contract.

"When I heard it was no longer under contract, I decided it would be a good opportunity to buy it and develop it. It was a great opportunity at a good price and we moved quickly.

"We're at a preliminary stage, but my initial plan is to take down the hotel and rebuild the property and come in with a medium-to-high-end facility.

"I envisage a condo and hotel complex and a refurbished golf course. I want to spruce it up and develop it mainly as a hotel complex, but I have no definite plans.'' When asked if he had confidence in the future of tourism in Bermuda, Mr.

Halsey said: "They only made one Bermuda and there's no other. I'm very excited about it.'' Mr. Halsey, whose mother was Barbara Hayward, said he acquired Bermudian status about a year and a half ago.

He said he expected the sale to be completed in the next few months.

Forte property director Mark Stretton said yesterday: "Forte Hotel Group can confirm that they have accepted an offer made by Richard Halsey, a Bermudian currently resident in the United States, for the purchase of the Belmont Hotel and Golf Club.

"Following several months of talks and negotiations, an agreement has been signed by both parties and it is anticipated the sale of the property will be completed in the very near future.''