The Florida mansion where Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered in 1997 will soon be open to the public for overnight stays. The building’s owner, telecommunications magnate Peter Loftin, plans to convert the Mediterranean-style palazzo into a luxury hotel.
It is said that the hotel, slated to open this winter, will feature 15 suites - ranging from $2000 to $6000 per night - a gift shop and a posh restaurant.
Loftin had originally purchased the 12-bedroom, 13-bathroom estate for $19 million in September, 2000 aiming to use it as a part-time home, but it seems his plans have changed. “Peter would like to return the building to public access,” says Howard Gross, a historical consultant on the plan. “He’d like to have people share in the beauty of the building.”
The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board unanimously gave Loftin the go-ahead to begin work on the 20,000 sq ft home. Renovations reportedly will include installing an elevator, converting the current staff quarters into a restaurant kitchen, and making wheelchair accessibility changes to the interior. “We have a lot of work to do,” says Les Beilinson, the project’s architect.
Though the 1930s palazzo, modelled after the 16th-century Alcazar de Colon in Santo Domingo, is a local historical landmark, the mansion became internationally known after Versace’s murder.
Versace purchased the building for $2.9 million in 1992, and was tragically shot to death by Andrew Cunanan outside the mansion just five years later. Cunanan, who was wanted for four other killings, committed suicide nine days after he murdered the 50-year-old designer.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
