REGALLY. Standing. After 82 years Villa Vecchia has withstood the test of time and has been lovingly restored.

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1 Standing REGALLY After 82 years Villa Vecchia has withstood the test of time and has been lovingly restored. By Norma A. Quintero Photographed by Luis Travieso Outside motor courtyard

Left & Above: Interior courtyard 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.

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.

2 Left & Above: Interior courtyard 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, daughter of John and Charlotte Strongman from Bethany Borough, which is known as Bethany 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 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 conditioning 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- JUNE JULY

3 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

Gentleman s library The drawing room Formal dining room stated was a perfectly designed paradise for entertaining in the winter season.

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.

Miller was known for opening up her estate to support her philanthropic endeavors and social celebrations of the season.

4 Gentleman s library The drawing room Formal dining room stated was a perfectly designed paradise for entertaining in the winter season. A terrazzo dance floor was built for guests to enjoy 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, 90 SOCIAL AFFAIRS JUNE JULY

Upstairs hallway The Royal Suite for guests Master/sitting room which belonged to the caretaker with a living room, kitchen and bathroom.

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.

The property was bought from the estate of Alice Wolf F. of Shrewsbaury, Mass. in 1993.

5 Upstairs hallway The Royal Suite for guests Master/sitting 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 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. 92 SOCIAL AFFAIRS JUNE JULY

6 Villa Vecchia has hosted more political dignitaries than any home in Miami. The grand ballroom The pool 94 SOCIAL AFFAIRS JUNE JULY

It s the ultimate lifestyle of people that still indulge in yesterday s pleasures while living today s lifestyle.

of a perfect space to relax, read or watch T.V. on a large screen.

It s the simple things in life that will bring us the most joy.

7 It s the ultimate lifestyle of people that still indulge in yesterday s pleasures while living today s lifestyle. The original gazebo 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 We Make You Feel Fabulous info@thierrycatering.com NW 72 St. Miami, FL Venetian style boat dock 96 SOCIAL AFFAIRS

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