Gianni Versace's Miami mansion to be sold at auction

YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS: The Miami Beach mansion once owned by Italian designer Gianni Versace and the place he was fatally shot is headed for the auction block, reports “Armenpress” calling international media. The 23,000-square-foot oceanfront mansion had previously been listed for $125m(£82.3m).

Originally built in 1930, the 10-bedroom, 11-bathroom, gated home features a 54-foot-long mosaic pool lined with 24-carat gold. It also includes numerous frescos, ornate statues, arched doorways and an open air courtyard.

In 1997, the 50-year-old Versace was shot dead in front of the property by Andrew Cunanan, who later committed suicide. Versace, whose famous friends included Princess Diana, Madonna, Elton John and Cher, purchased the home in 1992 and spent about $33m (£21.7m) renovating and adding another wing.

Tourists can still routinely be spotted taking photos in front of the house. The property had been operating as a 10-room boutique hotel for several years but closed earlier this year.

A bankruptcy court has appointed Fisher Auction Company to handle the sale, in conjunction with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate.