The third most photographed home in America, after the White House and Graceland, Villa Casa Casuarina regularly attracts a throng of tourists and curiosity seekers at its address on Ocean Drive in the swank and wealthy neighborhood of South Beach, Miami. Perhaps due to its opulent Mediterranean revival architecture that stands out among the Art Deco, Streamline Moderne buildings that define the area, or because of its association with one of the most famous fashion icons of the world, Gianni Versace. Writer Charles Gandee described it as “Versace’s Castle in the Sand, the most visible house on the most trafficked street in the most publicized resort in this country, which he then transformed into a palace.”
Built in 1930 by Alden Freeman, from a large inheritance from his grandfather, it was designed as a replica of Christopher Columbus’s son’s house in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. When Freeman died 7 years later, it became Amsterdam Apartments and was a multi-residential building for decades until it fell into disrepair.
On his way to Cuba in 1992, Versace stopped in Miami to visit his sister, Donatella. On Ocean Drive, he was taken by a bronze statue of “Kneeling Aphrodite” at the front entrance of Casuarina. Upon further exploration, he took a tour of the property and instinctively decided to purchase it for $2.95 million. He then transformed it into a palace with eight bedrooms, two kitchens, three sitting rooms, 10 bathrooms, a bar, a library, four living rooms, a 6,100 square-foot addition with a gym, steam room and shower that fit eight. And the hotel next door was purchased and razed to make way for a terrace, guesthouse, swimming pool and more. The home was filled with furniture upholstered in Versace fabrics, painted murals and classical antiques, and the pool inlaid with thousands of 24-karat gold tiles imported from Italy.
Then on July 15, 1997, while returning home one morning from a coffee run, Versace was shot and killed, execution style, on its front steps.The Casa now lives on as a boutique hotel and restaurant as close to Versace’s vision as possible save for some added electronic conveniences and amenities that hotel guests and restaurant patrons come to expect. The hotel has ten opulent suites which, for around $1,200 a night, one can almost imagine being a personal guest of the great Versace himself and privy to the celebrity status that was enjoyed within the walls of the palace.
Or…you can have a delightful dinner in “Gianni’s” restaurant, set around the glittering pool and balcony overlooking it, which we did, delivering some of the same thrill for less money and a great dinner.
Thank you for sharing the history and some photos of Versace’s former residence. Amazing.
Pat
Nice to know, in case we win the lottery or something…. tehe. Looks beautiful! Great Post!
Beautiful pictures! I didn’t realize that Versace’s home turned into a boutique hotel! I’m glad others can enjoy it.
Make a reservation for dinner there if you are in Miami! It was fun! You can tour the first level and pool area, and take all the photos and selfies you want! Food’s not bad either.