Turnberry Associates Founder Donald Soffer Passes Away at 92

Turnberry Associates founder Donald Soffer has passed away at the age of 92. Soffer was the mastermind behind the city of Aventura, Fla.

He created Turnberry more than half a century ago. The company—now led by his daughter, Jackie Soffer, who serves as chairman & CEO—owns a $10 billion real estate portfolio, including north of $2 billion in hospitality projects, as well as 3.7 million square feet of retail space and 1,705 multifamily units.

It all began in the late 1960s, when Donald Soffer purchased 785 acres of swampland north of Miami, which would later become the city of Aventura. By that point, he had already made a name for himself, developing several retail centers in Pittsburgh alongside his father, Harry Soffer.

The Turnberry founder’s vision for the new city took a major leap forward in 1969, when Miami-Dade County approved his master plan, which was one of the most ambitious construction projects in Miami at the time, including 23,900 condominiums.

The project’s landmark retail destination, Aventura Mall, opened in 1983, introducing the first Macy’s outside of New York. The 2.8 million-square-foot shopping center’s success was attributed to Soffer’s approach to multilevel design, which shook retail trends by introducing a multi-story parking structure providing access to several floors.

The city incorporated in 1995, adopting Soffer’s chosen name of Aventura. Now, it holds nearly 25,000 residences, private clubs, tennis courts, marinas, as well as entertainment and social spaces. Over the years, Aventura attracted developers such as Camden Property Trust, Starwood Capital Group and Related Group, according to Yardi Research Data.

Donald Soffer’s philantropic work

Donald Soffer’s influence extended beyond real estate, with institutions such as Don Soffer Aventura High School and Don Soffer Clinical Research Center. He also launched the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center and supported the University of Miami and Mount Sinai Medical Center, as well as organizations such as City of Hope and Best Buddies, among others.

His efforts were rewarded with several recognitions over the years, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center Humanitarian Award and numerous accolades from Brandeis University, such as an honorary doctorate, the Alumni Achievement Award and the Athletics Hall of Fame.