The Richest in Real Estate Top 100

Born to a Jewish family near Pittsburgh, Donald Soffer built shopping malls throughout Pittsburgh for Don Mark Realty, including the South Hills Village, Pittsburgh's first indoor mall in 1965.

In 1967, Donald found himself the primary developer of 785 acres of swampland bought for $6M. Originally named Turnberry, Donald renamed it Aventura, drained the swamp and built an upscale development that included 23,900 condos, a fire station, a library and a causeway to Sunny Isles Beach. Donald also built Aventura Mall and the luxury Turnberry Isle Resort (where Donald chartered a fleet of yachts at the Turnberry Isle marina dock to attract tenants).

In 1987, Donald’s son, Jeffrey, and daughter, Jackie, joined their father's firm. Jeffrey has expanded the company by $1B, renovated the Fontainebleau, and developed and managed the firm's resort and hotel destinations and Class-A office towers. Jackie, on the other hand, has brought some of the world's most renowned retailers to Aventura Mall and is overseeing a massive mall expansion.

The family has also entered a JV with New York dynasty the LeFraks to develop SoLē Mia Miami, a 183-acre site in North Miami that includes a hotel, luxury condo, shopping, dining and other amenities.