Lincoln Road Magazine

Home and Design / Domains
March 1, 2005
Text by Hope Gainer

Realizing a Dream / Master Builder John Turchin creates art through architecture

Third-generation South Florida builder/developer, John Turchin, has a reputation for helming projects that often seem risky and destined for failure. However, lack of support never dampened his resolve, it simply made him more determined to do it on his own. “My goal was to become the most unique builder/developer in the world…not the biggest, but the most unique,” he says. One of the true pioneers of the Miami Beach renaissance. Turchin has his first string of successful endeavors in the nightlife industry. After Hurricane Andrew, he turned to the traditional family business and is busy designing, developing and building his dreams.

Turchin’s professional philosophy, “if we build it they will come,” has carried on throughout his career. He studied construction management while in college, but his artistic instincts where difficult to express. He managed to combine the technical and the creative, and often describes himsself as “an artist without a paintbrush.”
In the late 80’s he took a chance on opening a large, upscale club on 22nd Street in Miami Beach. Friends and business associates told him it was a huge mistake and tried to dissuade him from moving forward with such a risky project. Turchin didn’t listen, and soon the venue christened Club Nu opened their doors to capacity crowds. Featuring elaborately-themed décor that was to change every few months, the club provided a nightlife experience previously found only in New York or Los Angeles.

Club Nu was a huge success – not only for Turchin, but also for Miami Beach and the sleepy neighborhood filled with Art Deco apartment buildings and forgotten oceanfront hotels. The attention and crowds drawn by the club was one of the sparks that ignited interest in the area known locally as “God’s Waiting Room,” but is now know around the globe as South Beach.

Nightclub patrons are fickle, so before the crowds decided to abandon Club Nu for the next big thing, Turchin closed the club. He immediately began renovation on his next venue to be located on Lincoln Road. The outdoor mall, designed by Morris Lapidus, had not been re-discovered at the time. Turchin opened The Institute, an industrial dance venue that echoed the success of Club Nu bringing much needed attention to the quiet strip of Miami Beach. Today, Lincoln Road is one of the most popular destinations in South Beach and Miami.

After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in ’92, the construction business exploded and Turchin decided to return to it. It was around this time that Turchin had an epiphany: “I could create art through architecture and finally found my calling.” A recent project came to him in a vision on New Year’s Eve 2000. In his mind he clearly envisioned a home for a lot on Miami Beach’s Hibiscus Island. The one-of-a-kind Casa Blanca was completed in 2004. The design is a blend of assorted architectural styles, fused together so seamlessly the resulting aesthetic creates an entirely new genre. At times, Casa Blanca is a futuristic mansion – clean, contemporary and cutting-edge. However, turn a corner and the atmosphere can take on an old-world feeling, enhanced by details such as the wrought iron aviary populated by cocktails that are the same shade of white as the stucco walls.

The multi-storied structures all have softened edges and corners and are surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of a multi-leveled pool. Taking full advantage of South Florida’s sub-tropical climate, much of the home is open to the outdoor pool and gardens facing the bay. Serving as a transition between the outdoors and interior living space are large terraces, with features such as a bar and cooking. Casa Blanca would be right at home on the Greek Isle of Mykonos, in part due to a not-so-subtle nod to the popular European vacation destination. One end of the home has a spiral staircase enclosed in a tower. At the top of the tower, white fabric sails, extend out to various points like a giant pinwheel, reminiscent of Mykonos’ signature windmills.

Already a favorite with entertainment and fashion luminaries, such as recording artist Usher and legendary photographer Bruce Weber, the property is continually booked for parties, charity events, video and photo shoots and for the privileged elite who prefer the privacy of vacationing in a private home as opposed to a hotel. In fact, Harvard’s Dean of Architecture recently visited the home and declared Turchin has established a new style of architecture for South Florida.

Generous rooftop terraces, an aviary, wine cellar, gym, office, pool cabana and boathouse alongside a spacious dock are the amenities offered at Casa Blanca, comparable with most luxury hotels. “People are scared of being unconventional,” says Turchin, when asked about the attention-getting design of Casa Blanca. He thrives on thinking outside the box. His years in the nightclub industry are evident in certain details throughout the Hibiscus Island home. There is a fully-integrated sound lighting and entertainment system throughout the entire property. His decision to make concrete the predominant finish for most of the surfaces is more for function than for aesthetics. “You can take a hose after a party and spray it down and a couple of hours later be back in action,’ he proudly comments.

Florida is surrounded by water, so Turchin decided to do the same for Casa Blanca by designing large pools that resemble small private lakes. Inspiration from the sea is evident elsewhere with seashell motifs, and the sails at the top of the tower. From a distance, the groupings of structures appear to float on the pool.

The popularity of this project is being used as a platform to launch future projects from Turchin Properties in South Florida and beyond. Next to receive his signature type is the ulta-private island of Indian Creek an exclusive enclave of spectacular estates just north of South Beach. The premier offering is a 15,000 sq. ft. Greek Mediterranean Villa with spectacular views and almost every amenity imaginable. Keeping up to date with technological advances, this is going to a top-of-the-line smart home with fully integrated digital everything. There is also a Mizner-styled estate home on two lots with the almost unbelievable asking price of $39 million.

Currently, Turchin is expanding his vision beyond South Florida. He became enamored with the North Carolina High Country in his childhood years and feels the variety of activities in the mountain setting, as well as the sweeping views is a perfect place to develop luxury vacation homes. The result is the exclusive homes of “Eagles Nest” in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Rustic but completely modern amenities abound in the more than 6,000 sq. ft. homes. Each will feature four master-sized bedrooms and interiors by Dianne Davant, an interior designer from the local area. The best feature of the homes is located just outside the windows – nature at its best. By offering properties such as these, it’s no wonder Turchin is now widely referred to as Master Builder – a title earned and well deserved.

“My goal was to become the most unique builder/developer in the world…Not the biggest, but the most unique.” John Turchin.