The famously extravagant South Beach mansion once belonging to the late fashion designer, Gianni Versace, has been put on the market for a mind-blowing US$125million (Dh459 million).
Named Casa Casuarina, the ten bedroom 11 bathroom palace on the exclusive Miami Beach strip of South Beach is being sold by its current owner, telecom magnate Peter Loftin.
The incredible property features a gold-lined swimming pool and museum quality frescoes which all contribute to the hefty price tag.
Once an architect himself, Versace added the south wing and pool lined with 24-karat-gold.
The impressive courtyard he covered in thousands upon thousands of individual mosaic tiles while elaborate frescoes were painted across the property’s walls and ceilings.
The house was Versace’s pride and joy until the fateful June day of 1997 when Andrew Cunanan assassinated him in cold blood on the very steps of the house.
The property is now known as Villa by Barton G after the events impresario Barton G. Weiss who renovated and re-styled it.
Nowadays, according to the property’s website (it is currently a hotel), the decor ‘takes up style where fashion designer Gianni Versace left off.’
The ornate house includes seven fireplaces, a guest house and a parking garage large enough for a dozen cars, and all within a one acre plot.
For the past three years guests have enjoyed the surrounding attractions of Miami’s historic Art Deco district while re-energising from the day poolside or in one of two of the residence’s lounges.
(From The Daily Mail, London)
