Miami's Most Lavish Mansion: Inside Villa Vizcaya

[@luciagodur5129]

I live in Miami. In Spanish , we call it " El Palacio Vizcaya " . My favorite areas are the kitchen and the pool. I had my "Fifteen" and Wedding Pictures taken in that beautiful place. On both occasions I felt like a real Princess. I visit the Palace every year.

[@xybai5152]

do you visit it. is it a museum?? they really should preserved gilded age historic properties, the marbles and the carpentry works, furnitures can never be replaced. especially the stone work.

[@charlesmenifee7886]

It’s so beautiful! Yes it’s a museum and event place.

[@Babypapayaproductions]

Que chimba ❤

[@MagnoliaEmporium]

I'm originally from Miami and grew up in Coral Gables a couple doors down from the Spanish Consulate on Granada Blvd. I was fortunate to have been able to attend numerous parties over the years at Viscaya. It truly is a magical place..

[@mrbutch308]

I first visited Vizcaya as a small child more than 50 years ago, and re-visited it nearly 2 dozen times since. It is one of my favorite places in the world. The house, the architecture, the gardens, the entire estate is decorated in the utmost of historical accuracy and exquisite taste. Not merely a rich man's house filled with costly antiques, it is a sublime project realized by a group of brilliant and scholarly designers like Paul Chalfin and architects F. Burrell Hoffman and Diego Suarez based on the notion of an Italian palazzo which reflected the tastes of different generations .

[@arslongavitabrevis5136]

A truly magnificent place, particularly regarding the beautiful Italian Renaissance-style gardens. I am very glad the house has been preserved and is open to the public. The Louis XV-style reception room is my favourite. Thank you very much for the uploading.

[@debbied7035]

Thank you for the picture of the kitchen. For some reason I find the kitchens fascinating.

[@maizie9454]

I agree. we don't see enough of how these massive houses were run

[@janedee6488]

Visited many years ago. Absolutely beautiful.

[@carlfrano6384]

Thank you for highlighting one of Florida's most interesting buildings. I am very glad this house survived.

[@williamtyre523]

A wonderful house, I enjoyed my visit there about 20 years ago. I especially like the approach from the water, and how the estate overall fit so well into its natural surroundings.

[@patty4709]

Having lived in Miami for 55 years, I visited this beautiful mansion a number of times. I visited with my granddaughter for her 18th birthday trying to build memories for her adult life. Wonderful memories

[@Emily_Paris]

Hi Ken. Gorgeous mansion in beautiful Miami. Thank you for the work and time you put in these videos. Not only do I love seeing the pictures of the beauty In mansions like this but also the stories behind them.

[@SpanishEclectic]

So much going on in this place! The bedrooms are over-the-top. I like the courtyards, which remind me of places here in San Diego, such as The Prado, which is now a restaurant. This style of architecture has a special charm, and reflects Spanish influence in Florida and California. Public buildings of this style were built during the Panama-California Expo, which ran here from 1915 to 1917. Many have been restored, and I grew up seeing them in Balboa Park. I'm glad to see Vizcaya is standing up to the hurricanes.

[@angiebjourney]

Vizcaya is absolutely stunning. I live in Miami and love to visit there. They have a lot of activities throughout the year that are lovely to attend!

[@jerrycomo2736]

Visited this estate many years ago. Favorite room was the kitchen, and we also copied the yellow color paint for our walls. Makes a good background color for antique oak and mahogany furniture.

[@LJB103]

Excellent video of one of the top three houses on my bucket list. James' brother Charles also had a mansion in Miami that is now open to the public

[@PressHBCA]

This has to be the flagship of videos for Viscaya Museum. Beautiful everything , the narration and length… 🙌🏼 Bravo

[@cherylcook634]

Your video is absolutely amazing and captures as much of the mystique and magic that IS Vizcaya. I had the great fortune to visit many many times throughout my youth and young adulthood. Into my professional life, there used to be Medieval fares over a three-day weekend. You could never imagine a "human chess game" being played against the backdrop of the mansion and waters. More of Miami's past gone forever. Thank you, again, for the visit to a magical time that IS Florida.

[@ginibauer2088]

Dear Ken, I appreciate the way you describe these fabulous estate's. I do enjoy thinking of what it would be like to live in that time. I can't thank you enough for your attention to detail. Thank you, Gini

[@okdk7]

Loved the formal dining room and would love to see more of the baths... those tubs looked amazing, especially given the majority of the population had no indoor plumbing ...

[@jamesdugan3079]

I visited Vizcaya 40 years ago when it was open to the outside. Beautiful ocean breezes, stunning house and gardens. This estate is a must-see. Unfortunately, James Deering did not live to enjoy his masterpiece for very long.

[@veronicaroach3667]

Sad that he did not manage to enjoy his project for very long, but it seems the gods have their own timetable regardless how hard we humans try to manage things ! Such is the penalty of super wealth - you either die too young to enjoy it for long, or you lose it all again & become penniless ! Even this house ends up having to be a museum which is the fate of so many of these huge houses unless they become a hotel or similar business !

[@Minerva7]

I attended a wedding at Vizcaya way back in 1980. Most posh wedding I've ever attended. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[@jeffhampton2767]

Stunning! Happy it survives.

[@helenhershtjader5759]

Went to an antique car show there as a kid back in the mid-sixties. Memorable mansion right down to the grotto pool!

[@rebekahdavis5935]

I'm SO glad they were able to at least save 50 acres of unspoiled land around that stunningly beautiful and timeless house. The house is in style in any decade. What a special place this man created. Bless his favorite nieces for donating it for the public to enjoy :)

[@andrewspruell8498]

I first went there in Dec of 71...then again in Oct of 2020...beautiful estate....plan on going again on next visit on the way down to the Keys.

[@JodysJourney]

Wow - the details in every single room! So much to take in. Thanks for sharing.

[@susanhonkoski7706]

What a beautiful home!!! I really enjoyed the tour of the exquisite decor!!! Thank you!

[@berto_osorio_fl]

Nice! Glad a property I have visited is featured 🙂

[@peacefulpossum2438]

I’ve visited Vizcaya numerous time. First in the late ‘70s before it was enclosed and it could still be experienced as it was originally intended with the ocean breezes blowing through. It was unfortunate necessity to enclose it in order to protect the furnishings and fabrics from the climate. It’s beautiful place - house and gardens both. I think my favorite room is the Breakfast Room.

[@dollybelledendrobium813]

Oh wow! What a treat that must have been! I've always experienced it closed and found it charming, but that must have been just the best experience.

[@alicepetrofesa8797]

Loved Viscaya...worked in Miami in the 70's and went thru this beautiful place a couple if times. So glad it has syrvived the hurricanes thru the years. Now living back up north for the past 20 + years. Truly a great place to visit!

[@steelman86]

What a fabulous home! I love it that each bedroom had a different theme, something friends criticize me for doing with every room in my own home! I have always felt each room in a home should have it's own "personality"!!

[@nonnisusu3968]

My son proposed to his wife in front of the Vizcaya mansion overlooking the bay. My daughter-in-love has always loved Vizcaya. This place is near and dear to our family!

[@crizzy8373]

This is hands down the most exquisite estate I’ve ever seen!!

[@irmauribe8600]

Been there a few times. I absolutely luv it!

[@ozzielinkin]

That’s a great aerial shot at the end of the video of the estate. The water is so beautiful.

[@sunilsabharwal5956]

I must appreciate the vision of the person at the time it’s remarkable

[@jimlubinski4731]

Great video. I always enjoy your work. I've visited Vizcaya several times and attended one of the early White Balls there. The White Balls were incredible, with everyone wandering the gardens and wearing white. The ball have lately become prohibitively expensive to attend, however, which limits the enjoyment to all, except the wealthy.

[@megfuchs9425]

I LOVE the gardens and especially love the grottos!! Thank you so much Ken, for taking us to places that many of us can't get to! Love that Venetian bridge also!

[@brianscotpatterson2101]

Vizcaya and Ca d'zon are the best examples of Florideranean architecture. it's Mediterranean, Caribbean, and quintessentially American.

[@paolorossi9180]

Hello from Rome,Italy.This is so beautiful,bellissima villa

[@carolm4545]

I live in Miami. We would go to the Halloween Vizcaya costume fundraiser. It was magical!

[@pmm3112]

Great video Ken!! I toured this palace and it is Stunningly elegant and the gardens are beautiful. The way it was designed is superb and suits the Florida weather. I’m those days, without air conditioning, it seems to embrace the openness of the outside to allow the natural air to circulate throughout. It was mentioned in the tour that when there were garden parties back in the day, the orchestra would be set up on the coral barge. The main purpose of the barge was to be a protective barrier from the water in storms and hurricanes.This is an exceptional place as the guided tour explains many things about the concept of the house and gardens design and layout.

[@sergpie]

This is such a wonderful example of Italian renaissance revival! The frescoed grotesques in the interior walls are so fascinating to follow the sinuous lines of. To be honest, I had never really heard of this one before. Great episode

[@fionap19]

I loved vizcaya when I was in Miami in the 80s. Went a couple of times. Gorgeous

[@reneer3524]

My husband and I visited this estate a few days ago. IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL

[@sandramaier2781]

The estate is immaculate.

[@grease58]

My questions is- with Miami being a tropical climate and HOT from April through November, how did they keep cool in this house? The fireplaces in the second floor BRs, while impressive, were probably rarely used (if at all).

[@mrbutch308]

Mr. Deering used it only as his winter home and lived in it for just a few months - I think from December only until the beginning of March. A smaller staff of servants lived in it year round, but they did not have to worry about the arduous tasks of housekeeping or preparing banquets during the hot months as no one was staying there. They did have electric fans and coped as Miamians coped in those pre-AC years.

[@jeffreymartin6369]

Open air living ! IE the windows facing out plus shuttered doors facing it to a courtyard. Very tall ceilings and fans! No one had ac at that time. Plus Winter use meant cooler weather l

[@fearsomebeard4290]

I’ve been fortunate to visit Vizcaya several times. Truly a stunning home in a stunning setting. Fortunately it has been preserved. I rather enjoy the references it has to Venetian canals as it blends into the surrounding mangroves. It’s quite the contrast from Flagler’s very formal Whitehall. Both are treasures.

[@hardtack8776]

Incredible place!

[@rickyt3961]

beautiful

[@ambermarieadescat2530]

I live in Florida, and have never been there! Will definitely be taking a visit there soon! Absolutely gorgeous!!

[@davecurda2350]

Beautiful house

[@ibuguru]

I've had the good fortune to visit twice, including a special tour to write about the mansion for publications in Asia. It is probably the foremost museum of decorative arts - furniture, furnishings - in the US. I love this place! Ranked among my Top 3: Biltmore, Boldt Castle (despite NYS's completion & restoration work being NOT "up to snuff," I recall how Mr. Boldt had workers lay down their tools & leave upon sudden death of his wife), and Vizcaya.

[@keithdavis9897]

that place is breathtaking

[@spurmarks]

Astoundingly beautiful. Had to giggle at all the burned out lightbulbs - that would probably require a full-time servant to keep up with!

[@LSTEdD1]

Loved Vizcaya when I visited!! Loved the gardens.

[@paco7992]

I've always wanted a little cottage by the sea that I could get away to during the cold northern winters. You know, just the basics. Looks like this guy thought of that first. 🤔

[@steves9905]

The upkeep on that place must be astronomical. All the detail, upholstery, rugs, plaster...everything...in one of the most destructive environments anywhere

[@sterlingd9035]

Great show thanks for your time always go to My place when IAM in Miami Everytime I see alitte bit of Glam and luv seeing updates to restoration being done keep up The Great Work have to keep people going there Soo much work has to be done to keep up the Estate

[@CultgentlemanJack]

I just love the architecture, especially the Egyptian revival, seven, exquisite and unique..thank you ken

[@brentfairlie]

Until just now i had no idea this estate existed. It is truly splendid and very unique for an American property. I love it

[@samanthab1923]

I’ve always enjoyed the outside better than the interiors. Approaching from the water must have been something. The gardens, barge & fountains all lend it self to a wonderland.

[@jillatherton4660]

Favourite room: With the maritime murals.

[@kenjd57]

Incredible. Glad people with money built palaces we still have today and can appreciate the beauty and artistry from their vision! 😎

[@carolm4545]

Yes, it’s called Deering Estate. It is on the ocean and has important archaeology and a protected ecosystem.

[@beautyallaroundme724]

Looks like a paradise! Wish I could live there.

[@williamsmith5549]

Best site to visit in Miami! Thanks for another great video, Ken! I love Vizcaya, even though it's a bit off my usual Georgian aesthetic; there is something gracious and light about this mansion where so many quasi-Spanish/Italian Gilded Age monuments, like The Breakers or San Simeon, can feel disproportionately ponderous and even oppressive to me. Can't wait for your next masterful choice of course!

[@nikobauer6758]

I attended 'The White Party' circa 1988 and had the time of my life. I remember standing on the far side of the garden looking over to the Villa and just being blown away by the beauty of it all (I was just 18).

[@_23mike91]

wow I need to see this in person

[@adrianvizcaya8078]

Beautiful mansion, would love to visit at some point.

[@TeachinTV]

Born and raised in Miami, during my career in the motion picture industry (1975-2000) that place was one of the most-used filming locations in the entire State of Florida. Tons of commercials, feature films and large-scale fashion still photos were made there, including ones I worked on for Thom McAn shoes (helicopter shot), Mercedes-Benz/Maybach and Diane von Furstenberg. The original property was ten times the size of what's left of it now, that encompasses an entire subdivision, a hospital, a church, the old science museum and planetarium. Adjoining to the north are three magnificent houses occupied by famous people: William Jennings Bryan, Sylvester Stallone and Madonna.

[@tudorjason]

International Harvester? I don't know why my memory does this, but I almost immediately remembered this is the name of an obscure character on The Simpsons!

[@adamsauer6516]

there is also the deering estate in south dade by homestead.

[@dalesmith1293]

A very beautiful house. Ken doesn’t mention that many of the architectural details and furnishings are from buildings in Europe and houses in North America that no longer exist, thus preserving pieces of history. The house was well designed for the Florida climate and the gardens are spectacular. Well worth a visit as it is a great house that was built by a wealthy man when Florida was wilderness.

[@franciscorodriguez7567]

GREAT VIDEO!! Please make more videos of the Gilded Age mansions in Florida

[@_audere_est_facere_guy8714]

The Mansion is amazing.. the gardens... perfect 💓💓 if u get a chance go and seeee it

[@trisha4797]

Love Vizcaya!❤

[@melvinherman]

I visited in 1972 or thereabouts. It must have been before the enclosure as when watching I was surprised seeing the glass over the inner courtyard. I vividly remember walking past the breakers to the gazebos. I recall the main reason for the breakers were to calm the surf coming up to the steps. Also, to continue the Italian/Roman motif the breakers were built to mimic a Roman barge. A dreamboat of a home.

[@charlesbowen]

That was interesting and I enjoy your channel 🍀 I wish you would do Coe Hall at the planting fields in oyster bay 🍀

[@michaelthomas172]

My favorite room is the one YOU occupy. (you have a nice voice).

[@HORSEYANIME2024]

Pls do historical mansions in Milwaukee Wisconsin

[@oriana7193]

Florida does have some very unique treasures. So if anybody wants to do anything other than Disney I suggest checking out the local items around the whole place because yeah there is a lot to do down there.

[@NurseryEnterprises]

You do a very good job in all respects.

[@ANTIKIVIKI]

Be sure to also visit The Ringling Mansion in Sarasota

[@derekjenkins1878]

I went to a party there … an evening event for top plastic surgeons attending a conference. It was dark, kinda spooky, and just amazing.

[@pamcornelius9122]

I grew up in Miami and lived there for 25 years. Vizcaya is truly amazing. As a child, I thought a mermaid might appear.

[@dojocho1894]

Are there any plans to bring the ship out front up to original?

[@tommywolfe2706]

Do a video on "the Oliver Mansion". Its near my hometown and I have been there to see it in person as a kid, it was amazing! Studebaker mansion is nearby also.....or, Tippecanoe Place as it was called. I am from North Central Indiana we know how to take care of our historic homes. Well, the Oliver Mansion anyway. I got to see the Studebaker mansion, but since it was converted to a restaurant, I wasnt as interested as an 8 year old boy. I remember that the old bathrooms converted to storage, with their sterling silver sinks being used as a countertop were pretty cool. They tried to keep in authentic. I just remember seeing marks on mantles from people setting drinks down and stuff that pissed me off.

[@doberman1ism]

My favorite part were the mirrors with electric chandelier in front of them. My friend and I took a very hunting picture in front of those mirrors. Reminded me of the TV series Dark Shadows.

[@steveluberda295]

Love the ship dock... Wonder who's the architect of this beautiful piece of work?

[@jonclassical5710]

Been there, nice house...but it is toooo humid for me in FL, so hard pass.....I bet in 1910 it was not nearly so hot or humid in FL 113 years ago!

[@jackesioto]

It probably was,

[@KA-su9ww]

I have been there worth the trip.

[@joshuamontgomery4992]

Cyrus McCormick and his great camp, it's gone now and the land is a state park. If you want info to do a story look up Richard/Dick Bentley. Cyrus Bentley was the lawyer for international harvester, dick is a great grand kid who is a writer. He did a story on the great camp and is online.

[@josephlloyd9636]

💯💕my Favorite sofar 👋🤠

[@BamBamBigelow.]

This house was Van Camp's mansion in Ace Ventura: Pet detective

[@PaulaPatioOfficial]

you didn't mention the elevators nor the bowling alley or indoor pool :( Other than that, well done :)

[@janicestayshich9108]

In 1961-1962 we lived in Miami and I went to all-girls Immaculata Academy (before it's merge with the boys' LaSalle). For PE we had to wear these one-piece white bloomer outfits. Vizcaya was right next door to the school, separated by a canal. Sometimes in our PE bloomer suits we would swim across the canal and go exploring at Vizcaya. They had a pool that was half- indoors and half-outdoors and we would go swimming in the pool. We weren't being vandals, just being dating. We never tried to go indoors. I don't think that they're were any security cameras. We didn't stay very long for fear of getting caught.

[@ivaninvestor]

From wikipedia "The estate's name refers to the northern Spanish province Biscay (Vizcaya), in the Basque region along the east Atlantic's Bay of Biscay, as the estate is on the west Atlantic's Biscayne Bay. Records indicate Deering wished the name also to commemorate an early Spaniard named Vizcaya who he thought explored the area, although later he was corrected that the explorer's name was Sebastián Vizcaíno. Deering used the caravel, a type of ship style used during the Age of Exploration, as the symbol and emblem of Vizcaya. A representation of the mythical explorer "Bel Vizcaya" welcomes visitors at the entrance to the property."

[@portaltwo]

Just a little (hopefully helpful) hint. Loge is pronounced lozh, not lozh-a. Love these videos.

[@MikeCee7]

It costs $270 Million in Today’s money. Did James Deering have more money than Henry Flagler? Did Flagler try to one-up this mansion?

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

interesting

[@blackmumba111]

Neat-o