Theme: The Builder

Absolutely Alone: Vizcaya’s lost Casba and Deering’s search for a retreat

Much of Vizcaya’s architecture and design was built around hosting guests year-round. Nevertheless, James Deering was known for his private personality. In the Southern property, he built the Casba – named after the Arabic word for fortress or citadel – as a space to retreat, undisturbed by the activities of the Main House. The structure now sits on the Immaculata-La Salle High School property and houses a statue of the Virgin Mary; students call it the “Moon Temple.

“IT WOULD BE TO ME THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE I COULD BE ABSOLUTELY ALONE AND WHERE MY PRESENCE WOULD BE UNKNOWN TO ANY AND EVERYBODY”

Letter: April 2, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Designer

Reveal Transcript

Dear Mr. Chalfin

I wrote you the other day asking if it would not be possible to give me a place under the mound where I could be by myself and get away from all visitors. I suggested also that I might in this place do work with my secretary.

On second thought it seems to me that the place should be installed for me alone, where, if wished, I could write my personal letters, do my reading and so on. It would be to me the kind of place where I could be absolutely alone and where my presence would be unknown to any and everybody, where there would be no telephone, so that if I were there the answer could always be that I was not at home.

Yours Sincerely,

[signed] JD

“DOES IT OCCUR TO YOU THAT NEITHER OF US THOUGHT ABOUT THE CASBA. THIS IS ALWAYS COOL AND CHEERFUL AND WILL BE QUITE SECLUDED WHEN PLANTED.”

Days later, Deering receives a reply that suggests the Casba could be a suitable place for him to spend time alone. The Casba would be built southwest of the estate and was, at the time, only accessible by boat.

Letter: April 20, 1918
From: Unknown (Presumably Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Designer)
To: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner

Reveal Transcript

Mr. James Deering Esq

Vizcaya

Miami, Florida.

Dear Mr. Deering:

Answering you letter of the 16th about the Retreat on the Mound. Does it occur to you that neither of us thought about the Casba. This is always cool and cheerful and will be quite secluded when planted. I could really make it inaccessible if you wished.

Sincerely yours,

“I MIGHT TAKE A PLACE AS SMALL AS THIS IF IT WERE SOMEWHERE OUT OF SIGHT”

Soon after, Deering replies in agreement, concluding that his anonymity is of most importance. Even today, although the Casba no longer sits on Vizcaya’s grounds, it remains concealed and surrounded by trees.

Letter: April 25, 1918
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Designer

Reveal Transcript

Dear Mr. Chalfin:

Replying to your favor of the 20th: I should not care to retire into a place with limits so circumscribed as the Casba, and standing on a mound. I might take a place as small as this if it were somewhere out of sight.

Yours sincerely,

[signed] JD

Explore a 3-D Model of The Casba in 2023

Vizcaya’s land ownership transitioned from Deering’s heirs to Miami-Dade County in the 1950’s. Today, the Casba remains remote on a mound, and is accessible through the grounds of Immaculata-LaSalle High School, neighboring Vizcaya, and along South Miami Avenue.

Casba by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Sketchfab

Do you think the Casba fit Deering's dream of a secluded retreat?

Reveal current photographs of the Casba