Turchin History

There are a few prestigious American families that are burned into our collective consciousness--families like the Kennedys and the Rockefellers. What made them great was not mere wealth and power; it was the tradition of vision and achievement. Founded upon hard work, and driven by lofty goals, these families understood the importance of great work and great communities. The Turchin family of North Carolina and Miami Beach is another family that shares those values.

While that is impressive in itself, the civic activities of this family reach far beyond the Tulane. With roots in Watauga County, North Carolina , that stretch back several decades, the Turchin family regularly contribute to a variety of organizations throughout the state. Appalachian State University has long been the beneficiary of both monetary contributions and involvement on various boards and committees.

Robert has served on the Appalachian State University Foundation Board of Directors, the ASU Loyalty Fund Drive , and the Appalachian Summer Advisory Committee. He and Lillian have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of cultural and artistic pursuits, scholarships and university athletic programs. Their contributions have earned them the distinction of having ASU’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts bear their name.

The example set by Robert and Lillian Turchin has been a guiding principle for their son, John. A noted real estate developer in Miami , John Turchin grew up dividing his time between the shores of South Florida and the mountain beauty of western North Carolina . He was reared with the understanding that success comes from hard work and vision, and to truly be successful a man must focus on the goal of his mission despite any setbacks. John Turchin is an example of a entrepreneur who has carved out a lifestyle based upon lofty goals, and cemented by the relentless pursuit of artistic vision.

No matter what he sets his sights on, John maintains his belief in its success. As a master builder, and the premier developer of luxury homes in South Florida , John Turchin has created an extremely desirable lifestyle -- one of exceptional taste and design. Against advice of others, John has invested his own capital in what some call “risky ventures.” As with everything he touches, those “risky ventures” have all become huge successes. Today his Miami homes attract the wealthy and powerful from around the globe. His luxury estate homes are highly sought after by entertainers, professional athletes and well-known figures from business and industry. These people share a desire to experience the absolute best, and John Turchin delivers that and more.

Delivering that same luxury to the mountains of Western North Carolina is the latest endeavor for Turchin. With the groundbreaking of The Lodges at Eagles Nest, near Banner Elk, he has once again set his sights on artistic and natural perfection. Harking back to John’s childhood experiences at summer camp, Eagle’s Nest will be the finest destination for luxury vacation homes in a woodland environment. John Turchin is intent on creating a mountain-side resort where people can live amid the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy all the amenities of a world class retreat. “Look at these mountains!” John Turchin urges visitors. “What I’m building is a great camp.” Complementing the sparkling streams, majestic forests, and stunning vistas, each lodge at Eagles Nest is designed and built to be the ultimate in rustic sophistication.

“This is probably the lot with the worst view we have,” Turchin likes to tell visitors to one of the sites. That view is so beautiful it could make a grown man weep. It probably has.

With a master builder’s eye for quality, John Turchin incorporates the finest indigenous natural materials into his designs: “The least amount of development is the best amount.”

As an outlet for his creative vision, John Turchin is crafting a one-of-a-kind experience. It has been said that this project reflects the passion he brings to everything. From the estate homes dotted about the mountainside, to the full-service spa, to the numerous recreational activities, John Turchin is creating a haven of discrimination and exclusivity, turning his vision into reality with his exacting standards, his access to the most talented artisans and designers, and his passion for creating turn-key residences fit for only the most discriminating buyers.

It is this ability to conceptualize and create a unique way of life that truly reinforces John Turchin’s reputation as a master builder. As a visionary and civic-minded businessman, he has not only conquered the world of real estate development, but now intends to bring his good fortune to residents and visitors of Banner Elk. With the John Turchin Art Gallery , John is dedicated to promoting fine art and encouraging art appreciation throughout the region. This gallery affords both local and national artists the rare opportunity to display their work in an outstanding venue. Not content to merely provide gallery space for artists; he intends to negotiate with them for the art used to decorate the spaces at Eagle’s Nest.

Of course, commerce factors heavily into most everything he does. Utilizing his keen business sense, John Turchin has developed and launched a unique concept for retail shopping. The Great Train Robbery Emporium Outlet Mall features over 150 storefronts, dining establishments, and galleries. John created this concept to provide retail space, marketing, and inventory tracking for small business owners. In direct answer to the ‘big-box’ stores that are driving smaller enterprises out of business, Turchin decided to create a space that could not only provide much-needed retail shopping for residents and tourists, but allow shop owners the chance to remain in business. By giving mom-and-pop owners a venue in which they can succeed, Turchin has given them back their dream of business ownership.

That is all in a day’s work for John Turchin. From real estate development, to supporting the arts, to ensuring the success for small business, he does it all and does it well. Just like his parents before him, he understands the importance of vision and drive. Never one to be bound by convention, and long known for doing the impossible, John Turchin defines his projects by his passion for getting things done--not merely well, but excellently well.

“Come on,” Turchin invites the visitor. “You want to see the big view?” The big view is what Turchin is all about. He has a big picture in mind for his little corner of Western North Carolina, and he’s selling that vision in gorgeous lots, in a region revered as a vacation for the nobility of American society, the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina .