What is Vizcaya in Biscayne Bay, Miami

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Since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion here on Nest by Tamara. I am an interior designer, writer and textile designer at rootcellardesigns.com living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events. I have been asked to write on these subjects for magazines and online media, and I also regularly host events and talk on these subjects. I am grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team at rootcellardesigns@gmail.com -Tamara

Posted by Tamara Matthews-Stephenson April 13, 2026

What is Vizcaya in Biscayne Bay, Miami

Our Visit to

Vizcaya Estate & Gardens
in Biscayne Bay, Miami

I recently visited the Vizcaya Museum which stands in contrast to the sometimes modern-feeling city of Miami. It is set in a quiet and residential area on Biscayne Bay. From every window in the house you swoon over the gorgeous gardens and greenery set on ten acres. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style, and it truly feels like a step back in time.

Chicago native and industrialist, James Deering had the home built in 1914. He was a titan of American industry as an executive at Deering Harvester Company where he amassed a great fortune. However, he was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia, and doctors recommended a warm climate which brought him to Miami. He then hired architect F. Burrall Hoffman who used local coral stone and cuban limestone to blend European Renaissance style into the rugged Miami landscape. He had quite a vision and the Gilded Age opulence of the estate works seamlessly somehow against the mangroves and tropical surroundings. I later read that Deering imagined the home to appear as an 18th century Italian villa. He worked hard to mantel this heritage home with the hopes of passing it down as a historical estate and garden- job well done!

After meandering though several beautiful gardens (there’s even an entire garden dedicated to orchids), we entered the Main House where all 34 rooms were chock-filled with extravagant 15th-century art, fresco paintings, Roman marble statues, Renaissance tapestries, and Neoclassical furniture. One of the most unique features on the estate is the “Stone Barge”, which is a massive stone ship in the bay and off the back terrace, and originally acted as both a protection from the incoming waves as well as a glamorous place to entertain guests. As I looked out the window onto the deck, I imagined the lavish parties back in the day. Apparently, Deering would welcome his guests by gondola for lavish dinner parties…what I'd give to be a fly on the wall.