cà d'zan

Cà d'Zan, supposedly Venetian for "House of John" (I don't know Venetian), is the waterfront residence that was originally constructed for John and Mable Ringling in Sarasota, Florida. The mansion was designed by architect Dwight James Baum in the Venetian Gothic style. The couple worked with the architect ceaselessly. The house is largely inspired by Venice’s Doge’s Palace and Cà d’Oro, and so this house is oriented to face Sarasota Bay.

The construction was carried out by Owen Burns, and was completed in 1925 for $1.5 million. They didn't live in it long as it was established as a museum by 1927. It is huge. It encompasses around 36,000 square feet with 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms. Oddly the house is five stories and a full basement, very rare and impractical in Florida. The Belvedere tower alone is 81 feet high. Per the museum, Ca' d’Zan is constructed with “T” blocks, concrete, and brick. Then the builders covered the structure with stucco and terra cotta, embellishing with glazed tile. The original roof was made from 16^th century Spanish tiles imported by the builder. I wonder where he sourced them! The terrace on the bay is monumental and is made of domestic and imported marble arranged in a chevron pattern. Take note, all you bloggers who are obsessed with chevron designs!

The details are just amazing. Notice the intricate decorative work, some of which show this was built for a magic man/occultist.

I love this photo of a Banyan from the grounds.

Images via Hoyin Ip, Ringling Museum, History Hurricane, flickr, flickr hive mind and Atelier Tree