Obituary of David Curland

David B Curland, well-known South Florida builder-developer, passed away at Beacon Place in Greensboro, North Carolina on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Curland, attended Franklyn K. Lane High School where, as President of his Senior Class, he was known for his communication skills and quick wit. Prior to World War II, David's career path was uncertain but, at the onset of war, he was drafted and served in the Pacific Theater, notably Saipan and Iwo Jima, where he proudly served as Staff Sergeant while working on the B-29s of the 20th Air Force.

David married Jennie Mandrachia, the great love of his life, and in 1950 the couple and their two small children relocated to Ft. Lauderdale where David began his 45-year career in real estate development.

In 1951, he served an apprenticeship in which he learned home planning, architectural design, construction protocols, mortgage financing and processing, sales, marketing, and land development design and implementation. He honed his skills while helping in the development of communities from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton, including Sunset Manors, Lauderdale Villas, Fairfax Villas, Coral Key Villas, Lyons Park, Deerfield Villas, Boca Villas and Bermuda Square.

In 1959 he joined the Haft-Gaines Company which yielded such impressive communities as Cypress Harbor, Imperial Point, The Landings, Bay Colony and Inverrary in Fort Lauderdale, and Royal Oak Hills in Boca Raton. He later formed Curland Construction to joint venture several building projects in Fort Lauderdale and then teamed once again with Jack Gaines to develop The Hamlet in Delray Beach. In 1980 he joined Southern Realty Group to help mastermind the 2,400-acre Martin Downs and Monarch Country Club communities in Stuart, FL.

David Curland was responsible for building over 10,000 homes in South Florida. As an innovator in the field, Mr. Curland was the first to create sales centers utilizing in-house architects and multiple design resources from which home owners could choose everything from kitchen cabinets to carpet and roof tile. He helped pioneer central air conditioning for new homes and incorporated specialty design trends into moderately priced homes. He developed systems to mass produce custom homes, giving each one a unique character of its own. He designed land use plans with an emphasis on golf course views and was known as a true marketing genius of his era.

During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Curland earned a reputation throughout the industry as a builder of fine homes of exceptional quality. That quality, the perfection of his communities and his outgoing personality attracted sports and entertainment figures like Kathy Rinaldi, Jack Nicklaus, David Graham and Jackie Gleason as both client and friend.

Mr. Curland is preceded in death by his wife Jennie and sisters Frances Mitchell and Bella Isaacs. He is survived by his children, Phyllis Curland of Greensboro, NC, Lorraine Thomas of Virginia Beach, VA, Stephen Curland of Boca Raton, FL, and Robert Curland of Kansas City, MO, and four grandchildren, David Curland, Eric Thomas, Kenneth Thomas, Ingrid Curland, and great grandchild, Francesca Curland.

A private service will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Chapel in Palm City, Florida on Friday, December 7. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Place, Greensboro, NC 27405.