\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28094221\/PicMonkey-Collage2.jpg\")
\nOf all the houses in Miami Beach, none are more famous than Casa Casuarina. Better known to most people as the Versace Mansion, the property was famously home to fashion icon Gianni Versace until his tragic passing. It was actually outside the front of his house that the designer lost his life when he was taken out by gunman Andrew Cunanan.
\nAfter being sold for a whopping $41.5 million, Casa Casuarina – a 19,000-square-foot estate – stands in Miami Beach and now acts as a hotel and restaurant for those who can afford it. One look at the mansion will convince you it\u2019s an impressive place to spend the night, and things only get better once you step inside.
\n[post_page_title]Back in the spotlight[\/post_page_title]
\nIt\u2019s been a long time since Gianni passed away, but the recent anthology series American Crime Story has brought both him and his former home back into the spotlight. A lot of the show\u2019s second season, which revolved entirely around Versace and the incident with Cunanan, was actually filmed on sight because of the building\u2019s many intricacies. The mansion wasn’t easy to replicate, so they just used the real thing.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28091718\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.17.00.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Nothing’s really changed[\/post_page_title]
\nVery little about the house\u2019s exterior has changed in the years since Gianni\u2019s passing. The building still looks very much the same, from the shrubbery hiding the fence to the many windows adorning the front. While there are still some subtle changes, such as the establishment of black bollards at the bottom of the steps, the majesty of the mansion remains intact. Considering its grand appearance, any alterations to Casa Casuarina\u2019s exterior likely wouldn\u2019t have been well received by the public. This was the place where Gianni breathed his last breath, and the memories of that moment should remain intact. It might not be the most pleasant thing to have ever happened here, but it\u2019s now a part of the mansion\u2019s history. Luckily, all signs of Gianni\u2019s grisly fate disappear on the other side of that magnificent oak-paneled door as you immerse yourself in the life of luxury.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28095047\/PicMonkey-Collage3.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]The master bedroom[\/post_page_title]
\nIn somewhere as big as Casa Casuarina, there\u2019s bound to be more bedrooms than you could ever need. It\u2019s no wonder that the mansion has become a hotel because it\u2019s certainly got the space to accommodate a fair few guests. For those with several thousand dollars to spare, they can enjoy the chance to take up residence in what was once the property\u2019s master bedroom. Most of the furniture has changed since Gianni lived here, but the room is still as glorious as it was several decades ago. With all those pillows, guests can get an incredible night\u2019s sleep on this bed that\u2019s big enough for more than two people. It might take up most of the available space, but isn\u2019t the whole point of a bedroom that it\u2019s somewhere for you to sleep? What more do you really need when you\u2019re in here?
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28092727\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.27.16.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]In with the old[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen Versace was still living here, designs weren\u2019t quite as modern as what we\u2019re used to now. The hotel owners tried to stay dedicated to that when they refurbished the mansion which is why a lot of the furniture is still fairly vintage. Many of the rooms retain the classic style that Gianni loved so much, making the redesigns like a relic of the past. Trying to make things too modern wouldn\u2019t have worked, especially with the older architecture and all those paintings on the wall.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28093027\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.29.36.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Holding onto the past[\/post_page_title]
\nIf we could have things our way, Versace would\u2019ve never been cruelly taken from us back in \u201897. The man could have achieved so many more incredible things over the last two decades if he\u2019d simply decided not to be at Casa Casuarina on that fateful day. However, we can\u2019t change the past; all we can do is focus on the future. Gianni might have been lost, but the integrity of his incredible mansion wasn\u2019t. Things might have changed a little since he lived there, but his creative spirit remains.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092701\/wma4SqCbI87o.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Down by the beach[\/post_page_title]
\nThere is so much to be impressed by inside of Versace\u2019s former mansion, but it\u2019s not just the interior that\u2019s worth marveling at. The outside is just as captivating, especially when you consider how close it is to the beach. Casa Casuarina is in the perfect spot for anyone who fancies a vacation by the coast, although we\u2019re not sure if Gianni ever really appreciated that. The designer probably spent so much time focusing on his work that he rarely ventured out for a swim in the ocean.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092652\/pdM8QE3.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Taking a dip[\/post_page_title]
\nOf course, if Versace was interested in taking a dip, he didn\u2019t need to leave his house to go for one. The benefit of having a pool in your backyard is that you can go for a swim whenever you want. Even though he was just a walk away from the beach, Gianni preferred to chill by his pool, and we can see why. The addition to his backyard is undoubtedly impressive, what with that magnificent backdrop behind it. A lot of work clearly went into sculpting that wall.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28093627\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.29.21.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]A work of art[\/post_page_title]
\nWhen the sun goes down, and the outdoor lights come on, the backyard pool looks even more impressive. With the remarkable backdrop illuminated in the night, it\u2019s hard not to marvel at the architectural skill as you swim a few laps. What\u2019s even more impressive is the mosaic right in front of the pool that was amazingly crafted using just stones. No matter what time of day it is, this part of Casa Casuarina always stands out, and it\u2019s reason enough to want to visit the mansion.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092654\/rZL84SP.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Filled with flowers[\/post_page_title]
\nThe Master Bedroom wasn\u2019t the only room with a painted ceiling. Over in one of the guest rooms, an incredibly intricate piece covers the room’s upper section. Flowered vines were woven across a lattice pattern, adding some light and color. The floral theme was an inspiration for the rest of the room\u2019s design, from the sheets’ color scheme to the little flower pots on the bedside tables. Versace clearly wasn\u2019t interested in his rooms looking too similar, and this space makes a nice contrast to the one he spent most of his time in during the \u201890s.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092643\/4OQlXS0XxoaH.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]A place to chill[\/post_page_title]
\nFor most of the bedrooms in Casa Casuarina, there are accompanying living spaces where guests are free to chill out in private. These generally come with a chair to relax on – like this funky leopard-patterned number here – as well as other seating options. The atmosphere in these rooms is usually quite something, especially with all the incredible details that went into their design. From the pictures on the ceiling to the patterns in the windows, this is truly a sight to behold. You just need $1,200 to see it yourself.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28093712\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.29.06.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Flora and fauna[\/post_page_title]
\nOf course, not every room in the Versace mansion is quite as expensive as this. You can stay in some at a much more affordable price, such as the Aviary Suite which goes for $749 per night. All of the same amenities and services are provided, there\u2019s just not as much to them. Of course, who would be disappointed with a room like this? Again, Versace had flowers on the brain when this room was designed, although he was apparently thinking about fauna as well as flora – birds, in particular.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092645\/gPz6dhxChmnx.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]A private space[\/post_page_title]
\nA bedroom in a property like this is no good if it doesn\u2019t come with a bathroom. Thankfully, just like everything else in this house, the mansion has more than enough of these rooms to cater to your needs. The marble designs will have you feeling like royalty as you use the toilet or have a bath. Plus, on sunny days, the light shines through the stained-glass windows and creates some beautiful patterns on the floor. We\u2019d consider that a good enough reason to spend some time in here.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/02134444\/5aac8635-ffe2-4b8b-8aef-387a2a5d4a2f-5e79f9b24ed8736282f04afb9eb39924.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]The Azure Suite[\/post_page_title]
\nMoving on to the Azure Suite – a modern room located in the part of the house which has leaned towards the lighter side of things in its design. A lot of blues and whites really help make the room pop, from the bedspread to the windows. The little living space here is easily accessible, connected to the main sleeping quarters through a beautifully styled archway. The suite also offers a walk-in closet and a bidet in the bathroom because why not?
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/02134446\/EX2HVlXWAAU13zy.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Catching the eye[\/post_page_title]
\nGianni Versace was not a man who did things by half. He always loved to push boundaries with his fashion because he had a vision that went beyond what most people saw. That\u2019s probably why he had stuff like sculptures and golden features. It\u2019s not the first thing that generally comes to mind when you\u2019re designing something but Versace thought it would bring this room together. He wasn\u2019t wrong. It\u2019s an impressive decor for this room which screams of vintage class and glamour.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/02134449\/6e9554e9c6995566246b02f55d82fec7.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Relaxing out the back[\/post_page_title]
\nThe benefits of living in Miami Beach is that the weather was often good enough to go for a swim. You never had to wait around too much for a bit of sunshine, making Versace\u2019s backyard the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon. Whether he was cooling off in the pool under the shade of the trees, or just chilling out on one of the many sun loungers, this place offered Gianni the ultimate in relaxation. We hope the hotel guests still get a lot of use from it.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28093836\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.29.57.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Over in the courtyard[\/post_page_title]
\nThe pool isn\u2019t the only impressive part of the mansion\u2019s exterior, especially when you see what the courtyard has to offer. Surrounded by several floors of balconies and walkways, this central space provides a great place to sit back and enjoy some peace and quiet. With the water falling from the fountain as your soundtrack, you can close your eyes and let the sun soak up all your concerns. Just be aware that you might not be the only one out there judging by all of those sofas.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092657\/LDFK4gZXv4kT.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Preserving a landmark[\/post_page_title]
\nMore than two decades have passed since Gianni Versace was the homeowner here, yet once again, remarkably little has changed in the backyard. In fact, this vintage photo of the mansion basically looks identical to the other ones we\u2019ve seen. Great care has obviously been taken to preserve the backyard in this condition, and rightfully so. It\u2019s a beautiful part of the property, from the mosaic and wall paintings to the pool\u2019s magnificent backdrop. It was already perfect in the first place, so there was nothing to change.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092656\/lEaKolTuCgTM.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]How it used to be[\/post_page_title]
\nThis courtyard has certainly seen a bit of change over the years; more so than most other parts of the mansion. Obviously, all the sofas that are there now were brought in when Casa Casuarina became a hotel so the guests had somewhere to sit. Before, Versace didn\u2019t have to worry about providing for so many people, so he just had these two modest tables set up instead. The fountain also wasn\u2019t around back then, with the feature apparently being brought in later to add some culture to the proceedings.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28090806\/PicMonkey-Collage.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Dining in the sunshine[\/post_page_title]
\nToday, diners can also have their meals outside by the pool. Considering that Miami Beach is renowned for its glorious weather, dining in the sunshine is usually an option that people prefer. Motorized fans ensure that no-one gets too warm while enjoying their dinner, allowing them to experience the very best that Gianni\u2019s has to offer. We wonder what Versace would have to say if he knew his backyard was now being used for this.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092659\/x6jcRt8.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Sitting down for dinner[\/post_page_title]
\nWhile Casa Casuarina now acts primarily as a hotel, it also offers a dining service for both guests and visitors to the area. The restaurant provides diners the opportunity to eat world-class meals in the house once owned by Gianni Versace, something which understandably appeals to a lot of people. The establishment is actually named after the man himself, and it provides a blend of Italian Mediterranean food that promises to send your taste buds wild. It\u2019s fine dining served in one of the world\u2019s most elegant locations.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092658\/K2fd91gvomKM.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Catering for everyone[\/post_page_title]
\nAs if all this stuff wasn\u2019t enough, Casa Casuarina also offers its services for special events like business lunches and weddings. Could you imagine spending your reception in a place like this? The restaurant can cater for hundreds of guests, providing their exceptional dining experience in an assortment of beautifully decorated rooms. The mansion certainly presents an incredible backdrop for some memorable wedding photos, just as long as you don\u2019t accidentally fall in the mosaic pool. Then again, there are plenty of rooms in the house where you could dry off.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28093912\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.29.43.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]How it used to look[\/post_page_title]
\nAs you can see, the introduction of this massive bed is perhaps the most significant change this room has seen in recent years. Gianni preferred something a little more modest when he was still around, opting for a simple double that didn\u2019t swallow up the room. Something that appears to have gone missing following the redecorations is the massive portrait Versace used to have hanging by his bedside. The painting was taken down and moved out of the room, although thankfully the art that was on the walls wasn\u2019t touched. Gianni loved having scenes like this painted around his mansion, so it\u2019s no wonder that there\u2019s one present in the place where he rested his eyes. The cloudy blue sky on the ceiling is a nice touch and probably gave the designer something pleasant to gaze up at before he fell asleep.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/04092642\/fGWl0ynCrPiy.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]Splashes of color[\/post_page_title]
\nFor something that’s slightly on the pricier side, you can stay in one of the rooms from the Exceptional Suite. Here, a night costs around $999, but you\u2019re paying to stay in luxury. This room keeps things nice and open with its color scheme and minimal decoration, helped by the stained-glass windows all around the room. You get a great view of the pool from here, although why would you watch it from your window when you could be getting in it? That\u2019s the real question.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28091921\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.19.07.jpg\")
\n
\n[post_page_title]His legacy lives on[\/post_page_title]
\nThe fashion industry was dealt a blow after Gianni\u2019s tragic passing, and it was a while before it fully recovered. Of course, this tragedy hit his family hardest of all. The rest of the Versace family were forced to pick up the pieces and keep the man\u2019s legacy alive, something that\u2019s thankfully been achieved through his sister, Donatella. Although it\u2019s now been over 20 years since we lost the man, his talented eye still lives on in his brand, and in his glorious former home in Miami.
\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/28095409\/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-12.53.51.jpg\")
Of all the houses in Miami Beach, none are more famous than Casa Casuarina. Better known to most people as the Versace Mansion, the property was famously home to fashion icon Gianni Versace until his tragic passing. It was actually outside the front of his house that the designer lost his life when he was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":91155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n