Casa Casuarina
A historic Mediterranean Revival mansion in Miami Beach that operates as the luxury boutique hotel The Villa Casa Casuarina.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Casa Casuarina is a historic mansion and hospitality destination at 1116 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach's South Beach neighborhood. Built in 1930, the property is one of the best-known buildings in the Miami Beach Architectural District and is widely associated with Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, who bought it in 1992, restored it as a private residence, and lived there until his murder outside the property in 1997. Since 2015, the building has operated as The Villa Casa Casuarina, a small luxury hotel with a gourmet restaurant and event facilities. The original house was commissioned by Alden Freeman, a wealthy philanthropist and heir to a Standard Oil fortune. Architect Ronin Wolf created the building in a Mediterranean Revival style, while Addison Mizner contributed to the interior design. Freeman described the property as being inspired by the Alcázar de Colón in Santo Domingo. Its design incorporates coral and local architectural references, an observatory, decorative medallions depicting historical and political figures, and a small replica of the Homage Tower associated with Fortaleza Ozama. The name Casa Casuarina refers to the Australian pine, although accounts differ on whether it was inspired by a Somerset Maugham title or a surviving tree on the site. After Freeman's death in 1937, the property changed function and ownership. Jacques Amsterdam acquired it and converted it into a 24-unit apartment building called The Amsterdam Palace. It was later renamed the Christopher Columbus Apartments. By the early 1980s the building had deteriorated substantially, although its condition also made it a distinctive filming location during the production of the Miami Vice pilot. Versace purchased Casa Casuarina in 1992 for $2.95 million and undertook an extensive restoration. He returned the house to its original name and transformed it into a highly customized private residence containing bedrooms, kitchens, sitting rooms, bathrooms, a bar, a library, and multiple living spaces. In 1993 he acquired the adjoining Revere Hotel and removed it to create a garden and pool area. The resulting Thousand Mosaic Pool, decorated with thousands of 24-karat gold tiles imported from Italy, became one of the property's signature features. Versace also commissioned English art historian and landscape designer Sir Roy Strong to help develop the gardens. Versace was fatally shot in front of Casa Casuarina on July 15, 1997, by Andrew Cunanan. The event permanently shaped the property's public identity and made it an important site in the history of fashion, Miami Beach, and popular culture. In 2000, businessman Peter Loftin bought the mansion and renovated it for use as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and luxury events venue. The property subsequently operated with the Il Sole at The Villa Casa Casuarina restaurant. VM South Beach LLC, associated with the Nakash family, acquired the mansion for $41.5 million in 2013. Following further adaptation, it reopened in 2015 as The Villa Casa Casuarina. Its current hospitality proposition centers on highly individualized suites, historic architecture, the mosaic pool and gardens, private events, and on-site dining at Gianni's. Casa Casuarina is therefore best understood not as an apparel brand, but as a heritage property and luxury hospitality brand whose value derives from architecture, celebrity history, location, and curated experience.
History
Casa Casuarina was constructed in 1930 for Alden Freeman, a philanthropist and heir to a Standard Oil fortune. The Mediterranean Revival building was designed by Ronin Wolf, with interiors associated with Addison Mizner. Freeman said its form drew inspiration from the Alcázar de Colón, and the property incorporates coral construction materials and other references to the colonial architecture of the Caribbean. Its decorative program includes historical medallions, an observatory, and a small replica of the Homage Tower linked to Fortaleza Ozama. The name is generally understood as referring to the Australian pine, although the precise origin is uncertain. Freeman occupied the house with his adopted son Charles Boulton and Boulton's family until Freeman's death there in 1937. The property later passed to Jacques Amsterdam, who converted it into a 24-unit apartment building known as The Amsterdam Palace. A subsequent owner renamed it the Christopher Columbus Apartments. By the 1980s, the building had fallen into poor repair. Its deteriorated condition was recalled in connection with filming for the pilot of Miami Vice, which used the property as a location. Gianni Versace purchased Casa Casuarina in 1992 for $2.95 million. He restored the original name and carried out a major renovation that converted the former apartment property into an elaborate private residence. The completed house included eight bedrooms, two kitchens, three sitting rooms, ten bathrooms, a bar, a library, and four living rooms, alongside updated infrastructure such as central air conditioning. In 1993, Versace purchased the neighboring Revere Hotel for $3.7 million, demolished it, and incorporated the site into the mansion's gardens and pool area. The Thousand Mosaic Pool, decorated with thousands of 24-karat gold tiles imported from Italy, became the property's most recognizable feature. Versace also engaged Sir Roy Strong to assist with the garden design. On July 15, 1997, Versace was shot and killed outside the mansion by Andrew Cunanan. The murder made Casa Casuarina an internationally recognized site connected with fashion history and true-crime culture. In 2000, Peter Loftin purchased the property for $19 million and redeveloped it as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and event venue. The restaurant operated for a period as Il Sole at The Villa Casa Casuarina. VM South Beach LLC, associated with the Nakash family, bought the property for $41.5 million in 2013. After renovation and conversion work, the mansion began operating in 2015 as The Villa Casa Casuarina. The present concept combines a limited number of individually designed suites with historic architectural features, private gardens, the mosaic pool, restaurant service at Gianni's, and luxury event hosting. The property remains a landmark of Ocean Drive and a prominent example of how a historic celebrity residence can be repositioned as an experiential hospitality business.
- 2015
The property becomes The Villa Casa Casuarina
[1]Casa Casuarina entered its current phase as a luxury boutique hotel with suites, dining, and events.
- 2013
VM South Beach LLC buys Casa Casuarina
[1]The Nakash-associated company acquired the property for $41.5 million.
- 2000
Peter Loftin redevelops the property
[1]The mansion was acquired and renovated for boutique accommodation, dining, and luxury events.
- 1997
Gianni Versace is killed outside the house
[1]Versace was fatally shot outside Casa Casuarina on July 15, permanently linking the property with his legacy.
- 1993
The adjoining Revere Hotel site becomes part of the estate
[1]Versace purchased and demolished the neighboring Revere Hotel to expand the gardens and create the signature mosaic pool area.
- 1992
Gianni Versace purchases the mansion
[1]Versace acquired Casa Casuarina for $2.95 million and began an extensive restoration and residential conversion.
- 1937
Alden Freeman dies at the property
[1]Freeman died at Casa Casuarina on December 29, 1937, after living there with his adopted son and family.
- 1930
Casa Casuarina is built
[1]Ronin Wolf completed the Mediterranean Revival mansion for Alden Freeman, with interiors associated with Addison Mizner.
Products and positioning
An ultra-luxury boutique hospitality destination built around a historic Miami Beach mansion, Versace-associated heritage, highly distinctive architecture, intimate accommodation, fine dining, and private events.
Luxury accommodation · 2015
The Villa Casa Casuarina suites
The property's accommodation consists of a small collection of individually styled luxury suites within the historic mansion. The rooms emphasize the building's Mediterranean Revival architecture, Versace-era decorative legacy, ornamental details, and access to the distinctive atmosphere of the former private residence.
Fine dining · 2015
Gianni's
Gianni's is the on-site gourmet restaurant associated with the hotel's current operation. It extends the property's hospitality offer beyond lodging and uses the historic mansion, gardens, and pool environment as part of the dining experience.
Luxury events · 2000
Private events
Casa Casuarina offers the mansion and its landscaped spaces as a setting for private celebrations and luxury events. The offering is based on the property's architectural character, Ocean Drive location, gardens, and Thousand Mosaic Pool rather than on a standardized event venue format.
Brand decisions
2015
Launch The Villa Casa CasuarinaProduct launchBackground
After acquisition by VM South Beach LLC and additional adaptation work, the mansion was prepared for a new luxury hospitality model.
Action taken
The property began operating as The Villa Casa Casuarina, offering ten distinctive suites, dining, and event services.
Aftermath
Casa Casuarina became an active luxury hotel and dining destination while continuing to function as a heritage landmark on Ocean Drive.
2000
Convert the mansion into a hospitality and events venueStrategyBackground
Following Versace's death and a subsequent change in ownership, the historic residence was repositioned for commercial use.
Action taken
Peter Loftin renovated Casa Casuarina as a boutique hotel, restaurant, and luxury event space.
Aftermath
The property moved from private residence to hospitality destination while retaining its historic identity and celebrity associations.
1992
Return the building to private residential useStrategyBackground
After decades as an apartment property and a period of decline, Gianni Versace acquired the building and sought to restore its original identity and architectural character.
Action taken
Versace restored the Casa Casuarina name, extensively renovated the interiors, and converted the building into a highly customized private residence.
Aftermath
The restoration established the property's enduring association with Versace and transformed it into one of Miami Beach's most recognizable private residences.
Purchase price. $2.95 million (1992)
Sources2 sources
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