Volk, John L. (1901-1984)
Dates
- Existence: 1901 - 1984
Biography
John Volk was born in Graz, Austria, and emigrated 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 to 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.
Occupations
Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:
1100 South Ocean, Mar-a-Lago, 1928 - 2018, bulk: 1972 - 2005
The Property File Collection houses over 3,000 property files that document vital information about the built environment of Palm Beach. The collection is arranged by address and contains brochures, photographs, newspaper articles, historic designaton reports, and other relevant property information. All files can be scanned upon request, although a majority are already digitized.
1820 S. Ocean Blvd. - Residence for M/M Guilford Dudley, Residence for Mr. Paul Moore Esq., 1931 - 1965
Cross reference Volk Collection (Job #1441). Copies of architectural drawings of floor plans, elevations, for addition and alterations to residence. Blueprints include details and addition elevations. See also "Collado Hueco," 2025 Ballinger Award recipient.
209/211 Phipps Plaza
The Property File Collection houses over 3,000 property files that document vital information about the built environment of Palm Beach. The collection is arranged by address and contains brochures, photographs, newspaper articles, historic designaton reports, and other relevant property information. All files can be scanned upon request, although a majority are already digitized.
222/224 Royal Palm Way - Apartment for Strohm, 1940 - 1941
Cross reference Volk collection, one Volk drawing not dated.
311/313 S. County Rd - The Brainard Lemon Bvilbing (Building?), building for John Witman, 1928 - 1972
Blueprints of additions and alterations, copies of A/C plans, architectural drawings for alterations. Volk Job No. 758, Shoumate Job No. 7-72.
John L. Volk Architectural Collection
Architectural drawings by John Volk encompass his work in Palm Beach, South Florida, the Bahamas, and throughout the United States. Artwork by Volk or draftsmen include renderings of many of these projects. Photographic materials extensively document Volk’s career and include personal photographs of Volk as a young man, with his wife Jane Volk, and social events in Palm Beach. Printed material includes periodicals that feature the work of Volk.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 15
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Demolished buildings 2
- Architecture 1
- Mar-a-Lago 1