Interview May 2014
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman --
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens; Miami, Fl., Pg. 2 of 2

Jay -- What month do you experience your largest influx of guests/visitors?

Dr. Hoffman -- Vizcaya is busiest from Thanksgiving through March. We have experienced an increase of 75% in paid attendance over the past six years.


Jay -- What is your main selling point in convincing guests to visit Vizcaya and why?

Dr. Hoffman -- “It all starts here.” The history of Miami begins at Vizcaya; your experience of Miami as a place of abundant creativity and natural beauty begins here too!

Jay -- Which current renovations project has been the most difficult and why?

Dr. Hoffman -- Replacing the skylight over the Courtyard of the Main House was the most difficult project we tackled at Vizcaya. We needed to get this project right, and thankfully we did. Aesthetically, the skylight is critical to Vizcaya’s appearance, and we benefitted from dialogue with students and faculty in the architecture programs at Florida International University and the University of Miami. We strained over every detail of this project, including how to integrate adequate drainage into the historic design and what native plants to place inside. Once the design was complete, the real challenge revolved around completing the construction while the museum remained open to the public, and as we removed the old skylight right in the middle of hurricane season. Logistics, logistics, logistics! Our visitors seemed genuinely interested in the construction and appreciated that we were improving Vizcaya—and the project was completed on schedule, on budget, and to the standards we required. In general, unforeseen conditions represent the most difficult aspect of construction projects at a historic property like Vizcaya.

Jay -- Part of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective (Starring Comedian Jim Carrey), was filmed there in 1989; any other notable movies/films/specials?

Dr. Hoffman -- Many productions have taken advantage of Vizcaya’s exotic and beautiful setting. Most recently, scenes from Ironman 3 were filmed at Vizcaya. And just a couple of months ago, Mr. 305, Pitbull, recorded the music video for his recent release “Wild Wild Love” at the estate. It is always a thrill to see Vizcaya interpreted by creative professionals on the big screen.


Jay -- What (If any) perks do you offer bus groups visiting Vizcaya?

Dr. Hoffman -- We provide bus groups with discounted admission, we offer the option of an interactive tour with one of our trained Guides and excellent lunch options in our Café and Shop.


Jay -- I see that you recently took a trip back into time to the gilded age at the Wolfsonian-FIU (Florida International University) Library; what was that experience like?

Dr. Hoffman -- The Wolfsonian has extraordinary collections thanks to the vision and generosity of its founder Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. My colleagues at the library there were kind enough to identify and display Gilded Age-era materials from the collections in conjunction with the above-referenced visit of my museum colleagues who work at Gilded Age museums. It was a great experience.

Jay -- Are you related to Mr. Francis Burrall Hoffman, Jr. (1882–1980); Vizcaya’s architect of record?

Dr. Hoffman – No; Just a coincidence.


Jay -- What would you tell the readers of this article to expect if they plan a visit to Vizcaya?

Dr. Hoffman -- Expect the unexpected! Vizcaya is, on the one hand, a place of uncomplicated beauty—a place of art, architecture, and landscape that is a pleasure to experience and easy to love. But Vizcaya is, on the other hand, a place of complex ideas—where the local, national and international intersect; where nature and design harmoniously co-exist; a place of labor for some and leisure for others; and the playbook for Miami’s past and future.