Turner and Company designs and crafts Mississippi’s most ambitious classical homes
Since its inception in Jackson, Mississippi, over 25 years ago, Turner and Company (Turner) has distinguished itself through its passion for classical architectural design and construction. Specializing in custom home construction and the renovation of traditional architectural styles, Turner is focused on building in traditional neighborhood developments. The company prides itself on delivering lasting value and the highest levels of service, with honesty and integrity at the heart of all its projects.
“I began my career in architecture and then earned a graduate degree in city and regional planning. While my education brought me into the built environment, I had no idea where it would lead! I founded Turner in 2000 as a small remodeling company – that’s where my expertise and passion lay at the time. From remodeling I turned to design remodels, which inspired me to undertake new construction due to my interest in development. About 17 years ago, I bought an infill lot and executed a small, planned unit development, designing and building all the homes myself. My real foray into design-build came through my own projects, which often were custom rather than spec homes. This journey allowed me to understand development, land use, and subdivision layout more deeply and creatively, as well as to design and build both townhouses and new construction,” begins David Turner, CEO.
Design-build philosophy
As the company evolved, it took on many large custom projects, including multimillion-dollar houses. Nonetheless, the creative aspect of the work was always central for David, who consistently seeks to fulfill that need through design and development. “Before 2020, I undertook another residential development for which we built most of the houses. It was a beautiful 30-acre pastoral setting with spacious lots and a sizeable community garden. I was particularly interested in the creative side of land planning, a passion that led to my biggest project to date: the Belhaven Town Center. I purchased two city blocks from Baptist Hospital in the historic Belhaven neighborhood, and we have been developing them over the past six years. Turner constructed most of the buildings, including five restaurants, an ice cream shop, the Tri-County’s only brewery, as well as loft apartments and offices.” The development’s success is evident: it now houses two of Mississippi’s four Michelin-recognized restaurants and Jackson’s only James Beard Award finalist, transforming a previously blighted area into one of the state’s premier destinations. “This project required extensive creative land use planning, and since we own the real estate, it integrated both our development and construction expertise,” he expresses.
One of Turner’s latest projects exemplifies its creativity and commitment to unique builds: a Spanish Mediterranean-style home in Mississippi. This project stands out not only because it is an exceptional house, but also because it represents the largest and most expensive design-build that David has ever completed. “I love to showcase the design-build aspect of this project because I find the creative work more fulfilling than just construction. Starting only with a client’s dream and vision, drawing it for them, and then bringing it to life is my ideal project,” David comments.
Its deep-rooted passion for design truly makes Turner a unique builder, and this stems from David’s own enthusiasm. When tackling projects, David seeks to be actively involved and to understand the details – whether that is the window orders, chimney hierarchies or cornice details that contribute to the creation of a beautiful home. Through his approach, David aspires to craft homes that people can relate to thanks to their classical proportions and architectural vernacular. This dedication is both a challenge and something that the Turner team loves, as well as setting the company apart in the industry. However, the most critical element that places Turner ahead of the competition remains its design-build philosophy.
Exciting project pipeline
Strengthening its commitment to design, Turner frequently collaborates with and relies on talented architects. “Interestingly, architects often approach us for our expertise,” David explains. “When we work on projects for other architects, they really appreciate my knowledge of vernacular architecture. For instance, when architects invest time designing intricate details like brick jack arches or very particular rafter tail profiles, I recognize, understand and respect what they are doing. Likewise, my team understands that our framer can’t just build arbitrarily, as happens on many construction sites where builders overlook the nuances that come with such a high level of detail. A dormer, for example, should not be constructed like every other; it must look and be proportionally correct. I believe that this knowledge and desire for authenticity are what architects value in collaborating with my company.”
While the American homebuilding sector is highly dynamic, making it difficult to predict exactly what developments lie ahead, David’s experience supports the business through uncertainty. “It seems like something new happens at least every six months. This is not unique to my business, it is typical for any construction company or designer,” David reassures. Nevertheless, looking at the year ahead, Turner has its agenda set, including the construction of an additional build-out at the Belhaven Town Center among other projects. “We are working on a large new custom construction project with an architect from Birmingham and a couple more who are local to Jackson. I am thoroughly enjoying handling the advising on bringing the team together. Additionally, we have several remodels in the pipeline and are exploring raw land for another development deal, which promises even more uniquely innovative projects,” he ends.