Iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was tragically gunned down more than 15 years ago on the steps of his Miami mansion, became famous thanks to his Versace fashion empire. But, as Curbed have reported, the designer's real estate holdings around the world have a legacy of their own, from a townhouse off Fifth Avenue or his Lake Como Villa.
Versace's most famous property is his Miami Mansion, known as Casa Casuarina, which was the scene of his murder. The designer purchased the property in 1992 for $10 million and recreated the apartment block into a custom palace with a 6,100-square-foot wing and "a 54-foot-long mosaic-tiled pool lined with 24-karat gold." The property was purchased by tech entrepreneur Peter Loftin for $20 million in 2000, turned into a boutique hotel, and is listed on the market for $125 million.
Two years prior to his death, Versace purchased a 35-foot-wide townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side for $7.5M. Located at 5 East 64th Street, the townhouse was redone by MSM Architects, and houses an enviable art collection that included several Picassos and Roy Lichtenstein's "Blue Nude." The property sold in 2005 for $30 million to hedge fun manager Thomas Sandell and the contents were auctioned.
Amongst Versace's several Italian homes is the waterfront villa on Lake Como, known as the Villa Le Fontanelle. The villa was purchased in 1977 and the restoration of the property is said to have been personally handled by Versace himself. The villa sold for $52 million in 2008 when it was sold to Russian restauranteur Arkady Novikov. Versace also owned an apartment in Milan, which is still owned by family.
Check out these gorgeous photos of two of Versace's homes!
Source and photos courtesy Curbed.
