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

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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

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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.

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Upstairs hallway

The Royal Suite for guests Master/sitting room

Villa Vecchia has hosted more political dignitaries than any home in Miami.

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The grand ballroom The pool

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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

info@thierrycatering.com

The original gazebo

Venetian style boat dock