Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida

The landscape and architecture of Vizcaya was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style. Paul Chalfin was the design director for Vizcaya. The house was used as a winter residence from 1916 to 1925. It was named after the Spanish province Vizcaya. Records indicate that James Deering also wanted the name to refer to an early Spaniard named Vizcaya who explored the area, but the explorer's name turned out to be Sebastian Vizcayo instead. The symbol and emblem of Vizcaya is the caravel, which is a type of ship used during the Age of Exploration.
James Deering's two nieces inherited Vizcaya when Deering died in 1925. Over the years the property suffered damage from hurricanes and maintenance costs became too expensive, so the nieces started selling off some of the property. In 1952, Miami-Dade Country bought the villa and gardens for one million dollars, and it was turned into an art museum. In 1994, Vizcaya was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
It was a really amazing experience going to Vizcaya. Even though it wasn't my style, everything was lavish and extravagant. I'm really glad I got to visit.
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