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**Donald M. Soffer, Visionary Developer of Aventura, Dies at 92**
Donald M. Soffer, the renowned real estate developer and visionary behind the town of Aventura, passed away at his home in Aventura, Florida, at the age of 92.
Soffer’s influential career began with his development company, Turnberry Properties, which helped shape Pittsburgh’s postwar landscape. Among his early accomplishments were the development of South Hills Village and One Oxford Centre. One of his standout projects was the Monroeville Mall—a 1.1 million-square-foot retail center that became both a commercial success and a cultural icon.
In the late 1960s, Soffer undertook one of his most ambitious projects when he purchased 785 acres of swampland north of Miami. He transformed it into the master-planned community now known as Aventura. The area evolved into a vibrant community featuring luxury residential towers totaling nearly 25,000 units, along with private clubs, tennis courts, marinas, and entertainment spaces.
In 1983, Soffer made a significant impact on the retail world by bringing the first Macy’s store outside of New York to Aventura Mall, further solidifying the area as a premier destination.
Today, Turnberry’s real estate portfolio, valued at $10 billion, includes $2 billion in hospitality projects, 3.7 million square feet of retail space, and 1,705 multifamily units.
Donald Soffer leaves behind a legacy that has transformed South Florida and influenced urban development across the country.
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