A Gilded Age Masterpiece on Biscayne Bay

Nestled along the shores of Biscayne Bay in Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens stands as a testament to the opulence and grandeur of America's Gilded Age. Constructed between 1914 and 1922, this 43-acre estate was the winter retreat of industrialist James Deering, heir to the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune. Designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, Vizcaya seamlessly blends Italian Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements with the subtropical landscape of South Florida. The estate features a 38,000-square-foot main house with 34 rooms, ten acres of formal gardens, and a historic village outbuildings compound.

Vizcaya's architectural and horticultural designs were the collaborative efforts of architect F. Burrall Hoffman, artistic director Paul Chalfin, and landscape architect Diego Suarez. Their vision created a unique fusion of European elegance and tropical beauty, making Vizcaya one of the most intact remaining examples of this era in United States history . In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, Vizcaya was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

Austin Historical's Restoration Scope

In our commitment to preserving the integrity and heritage of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Austin Historical undertook a comprehensive restoration project focusing on the estate's historic windows, screens, and doors. Our work adhered strictly to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and the National Park Service Preservation Brief 9, ensuring that all restoration efforts maintained the property's historical authenticity.

Window Restoration

Our team meticulously restored 25 windows, encompassing 40 sashes and 132 individual glass lites. The restoration process included:

• Jamb Restoration: Removal of sashes, scraping of jambs to eliminate loose or flaking paint, repair of rot or damage using appropriate materials, and application of alkyd primer followed by two coats of premium acrylic paint.

• Sash Restoration: Extraction of original glass, removal of existing putty and paint, sanding, repair with Abatron LiquidWood and WoodEpox or matching wood, treatment with borate rot preventative, reinstallation of original glass with Sarco Multi-Glaze Type M putty, and finishing with alkyd primer and two coats of premium acrylic paint.

• New Sash Fabrication: Construction of four new sashes using rot-resistant Accoya wood with mortise and tenon joinery, matching the original profiles and proportions. These were primed with oil-based wood primer, glazed with 1/8" annealed glass, and painted with two coats of premium acrylic paint.

Screen Restoration

We restored 38 window screens. The existing bronze wire mesh and paint were removed, and the screen frames were carefully sanded and repaired using Abatron products or matching wood. After treating the frames with a borate rot preventative, they were primed with an oil-based primer and finished with two coats of acrylic paint. New bronze wire mesh was installed, and the screens were rehung using the original restored hardware.

Door Restoration and Fabrication

Our scope included the restoration of one heritage wood door and the fabrication of a new arched 6-lite, 6-panel door with an integral screen. The restoration process encompassed:

• Removal of the door slab, scraping of jamb and slab to remove loose or flaking paint, repair of any damage with wood epoxy or dutchman repair, sanding, priming with premium long oil primer, and painting with two coats of 100% acrylic paint.

• Restoration of existing hardware, including hinges, and replacement of bronze wire mesh in screen doors.

The new door was constructed from Accoya wood using mortise and tenon joinery, matching all existing profiles and details. It was primed, painted, and fitted with restored existing hardware and bronze wire mesh in the screen frame.

All restoration activities included travel to the site, mobilization and demobilization, EPA-certified lead paint cleanup and containment, and removal of all waste and debris.

Challenges and Considerations

Restoring historic elements of Vizcaya required careful consideration of the estate's unique architectural features and materials. Challenges included matching the original profiles and proportions of windows and doors, sourcing appropriate materials like Accoya wood and bronze wire mesh, and ensuring that all restoration techniques were sympathetic to the original construction methods. Additionally, working within the guidelines of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards necessitated meticulous attention to detail to preserve the historical integrity of the property.

Project Timeline

The restoration project was executed over a carefully planned timeline, ensuring minimal disruption to the museum's operations and visitors. Our team coordinated closely with Vizcaya Museum & Gardens' staff to schedule work phases, allowing for efficient progress while maintaining the estate's accessibility and safety.