Street-style financial centre have been boosted by a Canadian hotel giant.

Four Seasons Hotels has issued a letter of intent to enter into a management agreement for the proposed $130 million city hotel and office complex on the site of the vacant Bermudiana Hotel.

The controversial plan has been attacked by the National Trust, the Corporation of Hamilton, the Hamilton Princess and four neighbouring guest properties.

But the involvement of Four Seasons which, following the acquisition of Regent International Hotels, operates 45 hotels in 19 countries, could enhance the scheme considerably.

Founder, Chairman and President of Four Seasons, Mr. Isadore Sharp wrote to the first shareholders' meeting of the Bermuda Financial Centre, which was held at the Bermudiana yesterday.

"We have been looking for the right opportunity to develop in Bermuda for some time and are pleased to have been invited to participate in this exciting project,'' he said.

"Four Seasons looks forward to continuing Bermuda's long-standing tradition as a luxury tourist destination and to taking part in this new phase as a growing international business centre.

"As you are aware, this will be the first new hotel to be built since the Southampton Princess in 1972 and we feel it can be developed as the finest and most luxurious hotel in Bermuda.

"The hotel will offer a level of luxury in service and facilities consistent with other leading Four Seasons hotels and resorts, with the intimacy of a small property.'' Mr. Sharp believes the hotel will attract international business travellers because of the proximity of the present business centre in Hamilton, along with the city's dining and entertainment.

The proposed hotel will be smaller in size than the existing Bermudiana Hotel, with a similar roof height. If plans are approved, it will be opened up to the front of the property creating a park-like setting from Pitts Bay Road.

The completed centre, including executive office space will require only 43 percent of the site being developed according to the planners.

Its new owners plan to offer a 1,000-seat convention hall, a 300-room luxury hotel, executive condos, three office blocks, an underground car park and a spa. It has been described as offering Bermuda a "Wall Street'' centre.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Financial Centre, the Hon. Mike Winfield told shareholders that having the Four Seasons organisation as a working partner was significant to its success.

Sen. Winfield said: "We had to have a company which understood the North American market with a reservations system and marketing arm that can generate new business and which would be recognised and respected by the international business traveller.'' He pointed out that Four Seasons Hotels had received the American Automobile Association Five Diamond Award for 12 consecutive years.

In 1993, Business Travel News subscribers ranked Four Seasons and Regent number one and two respectively, among the top luxury hotel chains in the world.

Together, they account for 12 of the top 75 hotels worldwide as ranked by Institutional Investor magazine.

Conde Nast Traveller's 1992 Readers' Choice Awards include 14 of the group's hotels in its list of the World's Top 100 Travel Experiences. Three were listed among the top 10 hotels in America.