John L. Volk (1901-1984)
Title
John L. Volk (1901-1984)
Description
John Volk was born in Graz, Austria, and immigrated to New York City at the age of nine with his family. Volk studied architecture at Columbia University and apprenticed with H.P. Knowles, a Masonic architect in New York. In 1925 he relocated to Florida during the real estate boom, and he opened his own practice there in 1926. Architect Gustav A. Mass joined as a partner from 1927-1937. He was commissioned to design over 2,000 projects during his 60 years of practicing architecture in Palm Beach.
Volk’s most significant commercial projects are the Royal Poinciana Plaza and additions and renovations to the First National Bank. Outstanding among his civic projects were the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, and additions and renovations to the Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club. His residential projects ranged from estates for titans of the financial world to smaller homes in new subdivisions. There is no particular style exclusively associated with Volk; he perfected many styles from Mediterranean Revival to Modern. Volk’s legacy can be found on almost every street in Palm Beach and throughout the United States and the Bahamas.
Volk’s most significant commercial projects are the Royal Poinciana Plaza and additions and renovations to the First National Bank. Outstanding among his civic projects were the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, and additions and renovations to the Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club. His residential projects ranged from estates for titans of the financial world to smaller homes in new subdivisions. There is no particular style exclusively associated with Volk; he perfected many styles from Mediterranean Revival to Modern. Volk’s legacy can be found on almost every street in Palm Beach and throughout the United States and the Bahamas.
Creator
John L. Volk, architect
Source
John L. Volk collection, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.
Rights
All applicable rights reserved by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. Written permission from the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Archives must be obtained before using an item for publishing or commercial purposes.
Collection Items
Adams Residence (Palm Beach, FL)
Volk’s last Mediterranean Revival home features a grand entrance arch influenced by the houses of Majorca, Spain. It was designed for Mr. E.B. Adams, a senior member of the brokerage firm of E.F. Hutton. A plaster model of the house traveled to Cuba,…
Chandler Residence (Palm Beach, FL)
Volk introduced the British Colonial Style to Palm Beach with a house commissioned by Byron Chandler. Prior to construction, Volk visited Jamaica via seaplane to conduct research. Along with a white tile roof, covered balconies, and green shutters,…
Moffett Residence, (Palm Beach, FL)
The Moffett House is an example of Volk’s versatility and is considered one of the earliest Art Moderne structures on the island. Volk designed the house for James Moffett, the first Federal Housing Administrator under the Franklin D. Roosevelt…
Reflections (Palm Beach, FL)
Volk designed this majestic French farmhouse that featured a free-form swimming pool in the shape of a natural lagoon for Mr. John Noble, who was an early president of General Motors. The residence was designated as a landmark in 1991.
Pendleton Avenue (Palm Beach, FL)
Volk designed seventeen houses in the Pendleton Avenue neighborhood between 1935 and 1946 in a multitude of styles. Ten of the houses were designed in the Monterey style. In collaboration with Arnold Construction Company, Volk and other architects…
Hatch’s Department Store (West Palm Beach, FL)
Bernard Henry Kroger, an American businessman who created the Kroger chain of supermarkets, commissioned Volk to renovate an existing Beaux Art structure into something more innovative and progressive. Volk transformed the building into the Art…
White Gables (Palm Beach, FL)
The Great Depression prompted Volk to develop new approaches to his designs that were economical as well as aesthetically pleasing. During this era, Volk perfected his interpretation of Bermuda Style architecture. He designed White Gables for himself…
Davis Residence (Palm Beach, FL)
Volk designed this Adam style (part of the Georgian Revival tradition) home for Mr. Charles Davis who was the president of the Borg-Warner Corporation, on South Lake Trail. He also designed extensive gardens with reflective pools and parterre…
Mudge Residence (Manalapan, FL)
Volk designed this Caribbean influenced home for Leonard S. Mudge, an independent oil well builder.