Historic Villa Paula

You're invited to experience this enchanting building, constructed in 1926 to be the first Cuban consulate in Miami. With its combination of French neo-classical architectural elements, Moorish arches and Spanish tiles, this picturesque house has a distinctive Havana flair. It is one of a handful of homes in South Florida on the register of historic places. The Villa Paula has miraculously survived the trauma of the devastating hurricane of 1926 and attempts to tear it down. Now Lovingly restored, it is a place for discovering art treasures -- ranging from Renoir and Picasso to Wilfredo Lam and Miami’s homegrown genius, the late Pervis Young. The original bucolic environment of the villa grounds is preserved in the garden with its cascades of bougainvillea and its graceful pergola, perfect for enjoying food, wine, and music. The Villa Paula is at the center of an emerging Miami art scene, as gallerists and artists have moved north to Little Haiti. The home’s current owner aims to bring it to life by creating a new kind of cultural center inspired by the American expatriate poet and patron Gertrude Stein, who hosted legendary salon gatherings in her apartment in Paris during the 1920’s, welcoming Picasso and Hemmingway and all the leading figures of the Modern Jazz Age. The aim of the programming at the Villa Paula is to consider the cavalcade of issues that relate to the history of South Florida and the world of culture from the 1920s to the present. The Villa Paula is a unique space. Along with a series of changing exhibitions visitors can attend day and evening events, featuring talented artists, musicians , and experts who will present engaging topics that will bring together people of all backgrounds who love to look at art and learn about the lives of its creators. Visitors will also get the chance to savor a good glass of wine or cocktail and enjoy some excellent “curated” cuisine presented by Miami’s most innovative chefs, or an intimate concert.