In case you've ever wanted to see what it's like inside a notorious gangster's home, you will be happy to learn that the interiors of Al Capone's 1922 Mediterranean Revival estate on Palm Island.
A little over a year before the 93-year old historic home would be purchased by European soccer agent Mino Riaola for $9 million in August of 2016, the estate underwent a major renovation spearheaded by Miami-based, Italian-run MB America.
The L-shaped 6,077-square-foot main structure sits on a 30,000 square-foot waterfront site, according to Miami-Dade property records.
According to historian Paul George from HistoryMiami, speaking at a press event at the mansion, Miami had already experienced a rise and fall by the time Al Capone reached our shores. In the 1920s Miami had a boost in tourism because, for the first time, middle class (or at least upper middle class) Americans had the time and money to travel for leisure. Union workers were getting more paid vacations, pensions and fringe benefits that were previously unheard of.
Al Capone came to Miami Beach in 1927 and bought the Palm Island property in 1928 from Clarence M. Busch (not to be confused with the famous brewing Busch family from St. Louis). It is said that Capone was drawn to the property because it reminded him of the sunny shores of Italy (although apparently he had never set foot on Italian soil).