Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami

Viscaya Museum and Gardens

Viscaya, now considered a National Historic Landmark, was the former Villa and Estate of the American businessman James Deering (1859 – 1925), who lived in the Villa only during the winter months, from 1916–1925, when he died.

Deering was an agricultural industrialist in the family Deering Harvester Company, a farm equipment manufacturing company that grew in value, becoming one of America's wealthiest families by the end of the nineteenth century. The company later became the International Harvester Corporation, the largest producer of agricultural machinery in the nation, where Deering became vice-president. He was also a socialite, antiquities collector, international traveler and cultural ambassador.

He retired from International Harvester due to his health weakening, and in 1910 Deering purchased a land in Coconut Grove. He partnered with Paul Chalfin, who was an artist, interior designer and architect, to travel and create “Vizcaya.”

In 1912, the architect Burall Hoffman was hired as an associate architect for Villa Vizcaya, and in collaboration with Paul Chalfin and Colombian landscape architect Diego Suarez, to build the bay-front Italian Renaissance style villa with extensive gardens; native woodland landscape; and a historic village outbuildings compound, including a farm and a livestock. The Villa has 34 decorated rooms with 15^th through 19^th century antique furnishings and art objects. Suarez and Chalfin worked for seven years, perfecting the design of several themed gardens, and integrating fountains, a central pool, and a casino.

 

More than 1,000 workers between laborers and craftsmen from the Caribbean and Europe were employed on this project of 180 acres. At that time, Miami’s population didn’t exceed 10,000 people.

When Deering died in 1925, Viscaya was hit by the hurricane of 1926 and was extensively damaged. Viscaya restoration was overseen by the estate’s original designer, Paul Chalfin in 1933-34. Unfortunately, another major hurricane hit ion 1935 damaging the estate, and dissuaded Deering’s heirs’ attempts on using Viscaya as an attraction. In 1952, the main house and formal gardens were sold to Dade County for a sum below actual value, but in needed a significant restoration. In 1955, Deering’s heirs donated estate’s art and furnishing to the County on condition of becoming a public museum on perpetuity.

Viscaya is being continuously restored due to the effects of South Florida’s humid climate and salt air.

Since being in possession by Miami-Dade County, Viscaya has been diplomatic seat, having hosted some world’s most renowned dignitaries—such as Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan, and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain—and major international events.

Attraction Details

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129

Hours: Daily, 9:30 am-4:30 pm

Closed: Christmas Day. All holidays are subject to change without notice.

Phone: 305-250-9133

Admission Price: Adult: $15.00 / Child: $6.00

Driving Directions

From I-95 S: Exit 1A. Turn right onto South Miami Avenue. Turn left at 3rd light into Vizcaya. From South: Take US 1 (South Dixie Highway) north to SW 17th Avenue. Turn right on SW 17th Avenue (east). Turn left onto South Bayshore Drive. Turn right at 5th light into Vizcaya.