Villa Serena

Villa Serena is a historic house built in 1913 in Miami that showcases Mediterranean Revival architecture style. The building features stucco walls, green roof tiles, curved windows, and ornamental balconies, and was among the first homes in the country constructed with poured reinforced concrete as its primary structural material.

The house was built in 1913 by architect August Geiger and served as a winter residence for William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate and former U.S. Secretary of State. Its architectural significance was formally recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

Villa Serena takes its name from an Italian tradition of calm and tranquility, reflected in its Mediterranean design details. The green roof tiles, curved windows, and ornamental balconies create a look inspired by European coastal homes, showing how wealthy Miami residents connected their homes to southern European styles they admired.

The house sits on a property of about 2 acres with gardens that invite exploration, located in a neighborhood with several other historic buildings. Since it is a private residence, interior access may be limited, so it is best to check accessibility ahead of time and enjoy the exterior spaces and architectural details from outside.

The house was among the first in the country built with poured reinforced concrete, placing it ahead of its time and changing construction methods. This innovative building technique made it possible to create larger open spaces and later became standard practice in modern architecture.