I have visited Viscaya twice and I enjoy it so much, I will make sure to visit it, every time I go to Miami. 

Viscaya was built for Industrialist James Deering (heir to International Harvester) built between 1914 and 1922. Vizcaya is located in the Coconut Grove area of Miami. The 444 acre estate was entirely surrounded by subtropical forest along the shores of Biscayne Bay.

Deering apparently wanted the estate to be approached and seen from the great Biscayne Bay.

While I could write several blogs on Deering and the Estate, my single most favorite feature is the Breakwater feature, a maritime folley with a dual purpose: protect the estate from violent waves and act as a fabulous gateway to the Estate by way of the water. 

Vizcaya was envisioned as a modern interpretation of an eighteenth-century Italian villa with strong influences from the country estates of the Veneto region of northern Italy. Deering collaborated on the design of the villa with architect F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr. and interior designer Paul Chalfin. The gardens were designed by Colombian-born landscape architect Diego Suarez.

Viscaya is one of the most beautiful and well loved estates in all of Florida. It is also one of the most endangered by the rising level of seawater and increasingly violent hurricanes and accompanying water surges.

The breakwater otherwise known as “The Barge” was built in 1916 from reinforced cast concrete and clad in native coral stone ( very porous) sourced during the construction of the main house. The barge was designed to look like a ship with ornamental stone balustrades and statuary sculpted by American artist Alexander Stirling Calder of Pennsylvania. 

From the perspective of an architect looking at it today, with the Gondola spiraling striped mooring posts still intact, I could visualize that once upon a time this must have been a very grand entry via Biscayne Bay to the Estate. I know of no other American Estate with such a whimsical, playful and ceremonious entry. It is very clear to me that the Barge was built for Great Gatsby-esque type parties and was once spectacular. 

The “Barge” consists of a north and south set of cascading steps. The barge was “dripping with ornamentation” all carved under the hot Florida sun by Calder. At the one end, you could find a tea house, at the other, stone obelisks adorned the prow. In between, it was decorated with fabulous plants, fountains, statuary  and lighting. Deering also used to host parties in the “Barge”, with gondolas to ferry guests between the shore steps and the marine structure.

Today, the salt water and storm waves have eroded the structure and its decorative reliefs, and rising water has submerged the lower landing steps. But I can still envision the level of debauchery, decadence and wealth that must have been on display.

This landscape art print can be printed in sizes up to 30”x40” on any of our printable mediums. 

It is suitable for residential,  commercial and corporate spaces.