THE Vizcaya Village

Defining Miami’s cultural landscape

Most of us are familiar with Vizcaya’s extraordinary bayfront house and gardens. This beautiful estate has defined Miami’s cultural landscape for over 100 years. But just across South Miami Avenue is a lesser-known, but equally impressive part of our community’s history waiting to be discovered—the Vizcaya Village. Today we embark on a plan to restore the Village to create vibrant new programs for all of Miami-Dade County to enjoy.

Rooted in Miami’s history

The Vizcaya Village was the working part of the estate and we are revitalizing it to tell new stories about our community’s history and to offer innovative new programs.

Sheltered under large banyan trees, the Vizcaya Village features 11 architecturally significant buildings on 12 acres. Built in 1916 to make Vizcaya self-sufficient, the Village included staff quarters, a garage and workshops, barns, and greenhouses and fields that supplied fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables. The Village restoration will realize the full potential of Vizcaya as a cultural hub through year-round innovative programming and green space for residents and visitors.

Just steps from public transit and the future Underline, the Vizcaya Village will welcome pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, school groups, families, those who want to learn, and those looking to connect with nature. No matter your interest, Vizcaya Village will be THE place to gather and connect like never before.

Reinventing Miami’s future

The Vizcaya Village will inject our vibrant community with enriching activities in an inspiring space.

Phase I A

• Welcome the public to enjoy this campus of historic architecture and native plants.
• Open access to the Village on 32nd road to welcome neighbors and pedestrians and cyclists, with a direct link to the Metrorail and Underline.
• Open neighborhood Café in the Superintendent’s House.
• Renovate the historic Paint Shop building to restore its historic integrity and function as the new base for our horticultural operations. and launch urban farm programs with community partners.
• Reclaim entire site by removing non-historic structures, erect an attractive and uniform fence along the Bay Heights neighborhood and create a landscaped buffer inspired by the Pine Rockland, consisting of native pine trees and other specimens.
•Construction Documents were completed and submitted for permitting end of 2020.

Phase I B

• Relocate visitor arrival to the Village Garage and establish exhibits that tell the story of Vizcaya’s past, present and future.
• Redo the driveway that guides visitors through the newly repurposed parking lot and guides them to the new visitor arrival in the Village Garage.

Phase II

• Create new programs for students and families in the historic Farm Quadrangle.
• Establish archival exhibits and a reference library in the Staff Residence.
• Invite the public to participate in the museum’s professional activities at a conservation lab and open storage in the Poultry Barn.

Phase III

• Build new “Community Courtyard” with exhibition gallery, auditorium and other public amenities near east edge of Village.
• Refurbish and landscape parking lot.
• Build additional greenhouses to accommodate site-wide horticulture needs.
• Build work spaces along west edge.