Casa Casuarina was built in 1930 by Ronin Wolf[2] in the Mediterranean Revival style for Alden Freeman (1862–1937),[3] a philanthropist bachelor who was heir to a Standard Oil fortune.

[6] Major architecture features included an observatory and a small replica of the Homage Tower from the Fortaleza Ozama in the Dominican Republic.

[6] About 100 medallions of notable political figures, including Lenin, Mussolini, and Julius Caesar, are installed on the walls.

It changed hands several times and was renamed as the Christopher Columbus Apartments, in commemoration of its architectural features referring to Mediterranean style.

In 1993, Versace bought the adjoining Revere Hotel to the south for $3.7 million, which he tore down to make a pool and garden area for his house.

[8] Versace commissioned Sir Roy Strong, an English art historian and landscape designer, to work on creating the garden.