5 Miami Houses You Must See While On Vacation

Miami is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, and with good reason.  From the nightlife to the beaches to the restaurants, there is something for everyone in this busy, vibrant city.  For all of you architecture junkies, here are five houses you should see while vacationing in Miami.

1.       The Versace House

This is the house where Gianni Versace, the famous fashion designer, lived and died. The large white mansion attracts tourists every day, who want to take a picture of the driveway where Versace was shot to death by a serial killer.

The mansion is now an exclusive, private party mansion.  This is another reason why it attracts so many tourists, as people hope to catch a glimpse of a celebrity.  Whatever your reason is for wanting to see this home, it remains one of Miami’s most popular and fascinating homes to visit.

2.       Villa Vizcaya

Located in Coral Gables, one of Miami’s ritziest neighborhoods, sits an estate built from real European castles. John Deering built the estate in 1914, inspired by Tuscan Italian Renaissance, Mediterranean Revival, and Baroque elements.  It was built using authentic Spanish and Italian materials, as well as parts of European castles.

Villa Vizcaya is now owned by Miami-DadeCounty and is a museum open to the public. You can tour the beautiful Italian Renaissance gardens, native jungle landscaping, and more than seventy rooms decorated with antiques. It is a wondrous example of the architecture that is now present all over Coral Gables.

3.       Coral Gables Merrick House

Another historic house in Coral Gables you have to see is the Coral Gables Merrick House, which belonged to the founder of Coral Gables. The house has since been restored to its original 1925 appearance. For a small fee, you can take a tour of the home.

4.       Dr. William A. Chapman’s House

This house is located in Overtown, Miami’s historical black district. Dr. Chapman was one of Miami’s first black physicians, who specialized in communicable diseases. The house was built during Miami’s land boom, and is the most elaborate piece of architecture in Overton that survived the era.  The house has since been restored as an educational center.

5.       Miami Vice Mansion

Located in Key Biscayne, this mansion is the most expensive in the area, selling for $22.3 million. This house is famous for being used as the set for many scenes in the popular television series, Miami Vice, in 1984. The house includes 6 bedrooms, 9 baths, a swimming pool, sauna, and is surrounded on three sides by ocean. This house is a popular sight on Miami boat cruises.

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This post was written by the team at Movoto Real Estate, an online brokerage with listings in 35 states in the US. Movoto works with pre-screened agents to ensure customer satisfaction and takes pride in having the most updated listings on the web.