OCEAN DRIVE, Casa Casuarina

It was July 15th, 1997, when shots rang out at 1114 Ocean Drive. On the steps of the magnificent mansion you’re admiring, the lifeless body of the famous Italian designer Gianni Versace was found. A drug addict named Andrew Cunanan was accused of his murder; unfortunately, however, Cunanan was unable to defend himself against the charges as his body was found just days later on a houseboat in Miami Bay, so the famous Italian stylist’s death has remained a mystery.

Sadly, as is often the case, this brutal crime has made this marvelous villa more famous than ever. Built in Mediterranean style in 1930 by the architect Alden Freeman, the building was soon purchased by Jacques Amsterdam, who divided it into apartments and renamed it “Amsterdam Palace”. In 1992, it was sold to Gianni Versace, who added a south wing and a swimming pool. As you can imagine, Versace opened the doors of his villa to the most famous personalities of the international jet set.

It was not until 2000 that Versace’s residence was bought by the millionaire US businessman Peter Loftin, for the modest sum of $19 million. Loftin had the property restored, creating a restaurant, a hotel and a venue for exclusive events, but the villa was recently sold again for $60 million, and now belongs to the famous former soccer star, David Beckham....