VERSACE’S VILLA CASA CASUARINA—AN EXAMPLE OF REPURPOSING
Converting a windmill into a home, a train station into office space, an old military base into a car dealership, a mall into a megachurch, or a church into a restaurant are examples of reusing the old for new purposes. Preserving the beauty and dignity of the old and using it for new purposes is at the heart of good repurposing.
The Villa Casa Casuarina, patterned after Christopher Columbus’ son’s, Diego’s, house, is in Miami’s Art Deco District (also known as the Architectural District). The Villa exemplifies the best of South Florida’s architecture as well as the best in repurposing.
The Villa was built in 1930 by the architect, author, and philanthropist Alden Freeman. Alden Freeman would remain its resident till his death in 1937. After his death, the mansion would fall into the hands of a multitude of owners.
In 1992 the Italian fashion designer Versace bought the Villa. Versace preserved the best, repaired the damaged, and expanded and beautified the Villa.
An assassin murdered Versace in 1997.
The Villa Casa Casuarina is an awe-inspiring place.
As one enters the mansion, one is greeted by a bronze statue of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Moving into the courtyard, one comes across a French-inspired fountain, a Spanish bell, and a medusa medallion--an ancient emblem of protection against evil spirits and Versace’s logo. Surrounding the courtyard are four white pillars denoting the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
An eclectic and sometimes perplexing sample of historical figures (e.g., Cleopatra, Mussolini, Gandhi, Lenin, Rockefeller) decorate the walls on disclike medallions. Walking past the Mosaic Garden, one reaches the Pool Garden containing a pool with blue and gold tiles. One is greeted at the pool by the image of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and four women-adorned urns. At every turn, one is enchanted and inebriated by the Villa’s imagery.
The description of the Villa is almost unending, but one thing is certain: The Villa Casa Casuarina embraces Versace’s palate in every room and in every way. The Villa exemplifies Versace’s love for all things Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French.
Life For New Generations
After Versace’s death, the Villa Casa Casuarina went through another series of owners until its purchase in 2013 by the Nakash family. In 2015, trying to maintain Versace’s spirit, the Villa opened as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and event venue.
The Nakash family took the heritage of the Villa Casa Casuarina, combined it with the spirit of Versace, and gave the Villa new life for new generations.
Versace’s Villa Casa Casuarina is an example of the repurposing of an edifice. The Villa has served as a personal home, a rental community, and now a hotel, restaurant, and event venue. What was once thought to be of diminishing value has shown itself—through repurposing--to be more and more valuable with each reincarnation.
