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StandingREGALLYAfter 82 years Villa Vecchia has withstood the test of time and has been lovingly restored.
By Norma A. QuinteroPhotographed by Luis Travieso
Outside motor courtyard
JUNE • JULY 2010 87
In 1928, Byron D. Miller Esq., president of
F.W. Woolworth Co. He and his wife loved
flying to Miami Beach for the social winter
season. He decided to build a winter home
for his wife, a well known philanthropist
named Hortense Strongman Miller, daugh-
ter of John and Charlotte Strongman from
Bethany Borough, which is known as Beth-
any Homestead Farm’s Mansion with 55
rooms, sitting on a 450 acre farm. Bethany Borough was
Hortense and Byron’s main residence and they became the
rightful owners in 1923. Miller commissioned L.M. Barrett,
a Miami Beach architect to design the perfect winter home.
Back then they hired Frontier Home Builders, who were the
top notch in the construction world. They spared no cost in
assuring that their winter residence would be anything less
than majestic with state-of-the-art plumbing, air condition-
ing and saltwater pool. The estate located on 4821 Pine Tree
Drive, often referred to as Millionaire’s Row, faces Indian
Creek and sits on a two acre parcel prime real estate land.
Prior to the building boom in the early 1980’s, you had a
clear view of the Atlantic Ocean. The estate while under-
Left & Above: Interior courtyard
When Mrs. Miller opened her home during the season it was the most sought out invitation of the times regardless of whether it was for an afternoon tea or a supper dance.
The grand salon
SOCIAL AFFAIRS90 JUNE • JULY 2010 91
stated was a perfectly designed paradise for entertaining in the
winter season. A terrazzo dance floor was built for guests to en-
joy alfresco dining and dancing the night away. Mrs. Strongman
Miller was a resident of both Miami and New York City. She
would fly to Miami Beach to open her home up for the season.
She held a Rummage Tea in 1937 in support of the Children’s
Service Bureau that would benefit the The Junior League Thrift
Shop. A fashion show was presented to show the latest fashions
in the covered enclosed terraced courtyard with the beautiful
marble fountain.
Mrs. Miller was known for opening up her estate to support her
philanthropic endeavors and social celebrations of the season. At
one time she opened her beautiful estate for a supper-dance, which
entertained many guest including Miss Rosemary Townley and
George Smathers, whose wedding was only a few days away. All
the guests were received in the grand living room with gorgeous
flowers throughout in celebration of the joyous occasion. The
beautiful Miami Beach moonlight radiated over the stately dinner
celebration. The fete was a feast to the eyes with the beautiful
silver cloths adorned with pink overflowing flower arrangements
which stood out, illuminated by the candle lit setting. Mrs. Miller
welcomed her guests in an exquisite black lace gown, while dancing
to the classical orchestra music ending the engagement party with
the ultimate tune. When Mrs. Miller opened her home during the
season it was the most sought out invitation of the time, regardless
of whether it was for an afternoon tea or a supper dance.
The main house consisted, at that time, of five bedrooms
and five staff rooms. In addition, it had a two-bedroom house,
The drawing room
Gentleman’s library
Formal dining room
which belonged to the caretaker with a living room, kitchen and
bathroom. The pristine mansion also had a 5-car garage and a
pool pavilion that was only found in five star resorts for guests
wishing to take in some sun and relax in sunny Miami Beach.
This afforded the Millers the luxury of entertaining guests in an
opulent grand style when the snowbirds would fly into Miami
Beach for the warmth and sunshine of the winter months.
Byron and Hortense had one son named Byron Miller who
married Peggy Hart and from the marriage three children were
born. They made their home between New York and Miami.
The property was bought from the estate of Alice Wolf F. of
Shrewsbaury, Mass. in 1993. As they say, “things do come full
circle,” and Villa Vecchia (Old Villa in Italian) as its been lovingly
named since 1993 is still standing tall and strong after 82 years
as the day it was built. After 18 years since the fourth owners
built Villa Vecchia, the current owners have lovingly restored it
to its former state and have added to it’s original grandeur to
accommodate today’s discerning owner, who is looking not only
for history but today’s modern comfort. Villa Vecchia has hosted
more political dignitaries than any home in Miami, including
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Dr. Henry Kissinger, President Bill Clinton, Mikael
Gorbachev, Oliver North plus a host of luxury designers such
as Zuhair Murad, David Yurman, Emilio Pucci, Luca Orlandi
of Luca Luca and the list goes on. An eternal list of fundraisers
have been held at Villa Vecchia including WIZO, Vizcaya, YPO,
Big Brother Big Sisters, The Cushman School and The Miami
City Ballet.
JUNE • JULY 2010 93SOCIAL AFFAIRS92
Upstairs hallway
The Royal Suite for guests Master/sitting room
Villa Vecchia has hosted more political dignitaries than any home in Miami.
JUNE • JULY 2010 95SOCIAL AFFAIRS94
The grand ballroom The pool
SOCIAL AFFAIRS96
Today the estate boasts an elegant ballroom reminiscent of
Versailles, a gigantic master suite and a gentleman’s library, every
man’s dream of a perfect space to relax, read or watch T.V. on a
large screen. It’s the ultimate comfort for people that still indulge
in yesterday’s pleasures while living today’s lifestyle. It’s the
simple things in life that will bring us the most joy.
This fall, on November 19, 2010, a fundraiser will be held with
famed fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, who will show his fall
2010 fashion collection in support of Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The event will show that the Foundation Board which are the
Ambassadors in our community will unite and hold steadfast
to it’s mission of spreading the word that there is no place like
Jackson Memorial Hospital. Today more than ever we need the
support of philanthropists to give in order to allow those without
the means to continue receiving healthcare in our city regardless
of their ability to pay. SA
It’s the ultimate lifestyle of people that still indulge in yesterday’s pleasures while
living today’s lifestyle.
We Make You Feel Fabulous
915-65 NW 72 St. Miami, FL 33150
305.635.6626
www.thierrycatering.com
The original gazebo
Venetian style boat dock