Donald Soffer
Donald Soffer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 September 1932 Duquesne, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 20 July 2025 (aged 92) Aventura, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Development of Aventura, Florida; founder of Turnberry Associates |
Donald Morley Soffer (September 20, 1932 – July 20, 2025) was a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist credited with transforming Florida wetlands into the city now known as Aventura, Florida.
Early life and education
Soffer was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania into a Jewish household, the son of Ida (née Kessler) and Harold “Harry” Soffer, a businessman who operated an appliance store and a Studebaker dealership. His uncle, Joseph Soffer, established the Pittsburgh-based real estate firm Soffer Organization. In 1955, Donald graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, having attended on a football scholarship.
Following college, he pursued a career in construction and real estate development. Initially, he worked on shopping mall projects for Don Mark Realty—a venture involving his father and Edward J. Lewis—that evolved into the Oxford Development Company. In 1965, Don Mark Realty completed South Hills Village, Pittsburgh’s first enclosed shopping mall. Two years later, Oxford Development collaborated with Arthur G. Cohen’s Arlen Realty to create the DonArl Partnership, which purchased approximately 785 acres of predominantly swamp land in South Florida for $6 million, financed by John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Career
Donald Soffer was appointed to oversee the development of this land. Originally called Turnberry, he rebranded the area as Aventura and aimed to build an upscale community anchored by the Turnberry Country Club featuring a golf course designed by architect Robert Trent Jones. The project required draining wetlands and changing zoning from single-family homes to high-rise buildings. With backing from Florida Governor Claude Kirk, Metro-Dade County approved a master plan in 1969 for 23,900 condominium units that included infrastructure such as a fire station, library, and a causeway connecting to Sunny Isles Beach. The initial phase was completed by 1970; by 1977 the golf course and an additional 4,000 units were finished. The development proved extremely lucrative: land initially purchased at $5,000 per acre sold for up to $2 million per acre by 1981.
Upon his father’s passing in 1972, Soffer assumed control of the family’s stake in DonArl. In 1977, citing concerns over construction standards, he ended the partnership with Arlen Realty and formed Turnberry Associates using his share. After Arlen defaulted on a $39 million loan in 1983 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Soffer and his partners acquired the remaining 68 undeveloped acres and constructed the Aventura Mall. Soon after, his partners sold their shares to the Soffer family. The Turnberry Isle Resort became renowned as a luxury destination; Soffer even chartered yachts to attract affluent guests.
His son Jeffrey joined the company in 1987, followed by his daughter Jackie in 1989. In 1988, Soffer sold half of Turnberry Isle Resort to Rafael Hotels for $20 million and divested the remaining portion in the early 1990s. Throughout the 1990s, Jeffrey spearheaded new condominium projects while Jackie oversaw leasing at Aventura Mall and other properties.
In 2005, Turnberry Associates purchased the Fontainebleau Hotel from Stephen Muss for $165 million with plans for major renovations.
After collaborating for 25 years, the Soffer siblings divided company assets in 2019. Jackie Soffer became chairman and CEO of Turnberry Associates, which owns Aventura Mall, Town Center Aventura, three hotels in Aventura — Residence Inn by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, and Hampton Inn — plus another hotel located in Orlando. Additionally, Turnberry is developing an 800-room hotel near the Miami Beach Convention Center alongside Terra Group and David Martin.
As of July 2015, estimates placed the Soffer family’s net worth at approximately $4.2 billion.
Philanthropy
In 2008, Soffer contributed $15 million to Brandeis University, representing the most substantial donation ever received by the institution.
Personal life
Soffer entered into marriage five times and fathered seven children. He was previously divorced from Carol Miller Soffer, Patricia Jo Hogue Soffer, and Marjorie Wallace Soffer. In 2013, he wed his fifth spouse, Michele King Soffer. His son, Jeffrey Soffer, was formerly married to supermodel Elle Macpherson. His daughter Jackie Soffer holds the position of CEO at Turnberry Associates and is married to Miami Beach real estate developer Craig Robins. Another daughter, Brooke Soffer, oversees multiple retail ventures at Aventura Mall, while his son Rock is also involved in the family enterprise.
Soffer died in Aventura on July 20, 2025, at the age of 92.
Legacy
Don Soffer Aventura Charter High School bears his name as a tribute.