Donald Soffer was given the primary responsibility develop the project. Originally named Turnberry, Soffer renamed the site Aventura and set about to build an upper-class development centered around the Turnberry Country Club with a golf course designed by architect Robert Trent Jones. The project required that he drain the swamps and re-zone the property from residential single family to high-rise development. With the support of then governor, Claude Kirk, the development went ahead. In 1969, Metro-Dade County approved the 23,900 condo unit master plan which included the construction of a fire station, a library, and a causeway to Sunny Isles Beach. They completed the first stage in 1970 and by 1977 had completed the golf course and added another 4,000 units. The venture was very profitable as they purchased land at $5,000 an acre and sold plots for as high as $2 million an acre in 1981. Soffer's father died in 1972 at the age of 63 and Soffer took control of the family interest in DonArl. In 1977, the partnership with Arlen Realty was dissolved over disputes about the quality of construction with Soffer believing Arlen wanted to build too quick and cheap which would harm the brand. They divided the properties and Soffer formed Turnberry Associates out of his share. In 1983, Arlen Realty defaulted on a $39 million mortgage and went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and Soffer and his partners purchased the remaining 68 acres of undeveloped land and built the Aventura Mall. Soon after, the remaining three partners sold their interest to the Soffers. Turnberry Isle Resort quickly earned a reputation for the playground for the rich and famous; Soffer even chartered a fleet of yachts to dock at the Turnberry Isle marina to attract the requisite clientele. In 1987, his son Jeffrey joined the firm and in 1988, Soffer sold half his interest in Turnberry Isle Resort to Rafael Hotels for $20 million; in the early 1990s, he sold the remainder to Rafael. Responsibility for Turnberry was passed onto his son, Jeffrey Soffer, who was put in charge of new condo developments; and his daughter, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Soffer, who was responsible for leasing operations at the Aventura Mall. In 2005, Turnberry Associates purchased the Fontainebleau Hotel from Stephen Muss for $165 million.
Philanthropy
In 2008, he donated $15 million to Brandeis University, the largest gift in the college's history.
Personal life
Soffer has been married five times and has seven children: Marsha Fine Soffer Rappaport, Jill Fine Soffer, Jacqueline Soffer, Jeffrey Miller Soffer, Brooke Soffer Perez, Abigail Soffer, and Rock Soffer. He is divorced from Carol Miller Soffer, Patricia Jo Hogue Soffer, and Marjorie Wallace Soffer. In 2013, he married his fifth wife, Michele King Soffer. His son, Jeffrey Soffer, was married to supermodel Elle Macpherson. His daughter, Jackie Soffer, is married to Miami Beach real estate developer Craig Robins. His daughter, Brooke Soffer, operates various stores in the Aventura Mall and his son, Rock, also works in the family business.
