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== Career ==
== Career ==
He became a real estate sales agent and appraiser in Washington, D.C. On January 9, 1983, at the age of 23, he established RDP Corporation, a residential and commercial real estate appraisal firm. Later that year, he was appointed to Washington's Board of Equalization and Review by [[Marion Barry]], the real estate tax appeals board currently known as the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals. One year later, when Peebles was 24, Washington's Mayor [[Marion Barry]] appointed him Chairperson of the Board<ref name="wpost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/05/AR2010010503814.html?wprss=rss_metro|title=Millionaire Peebles says he won't run for mayor of D.C.|last=Schwartzman|first=Paul|date=January 6, 2010|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=December 5, 2010|author2=Nikita Stewart}}</ref> where he served until 1988. In 1986, a Peebles-led partnership acquired the site for his first real estate development project: a {{convert|100000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Class-A office building at 2100 Martin Luther King Ave. SE.<ref>{{cite news|title=Billionaire entrepreneur considers bid for mayor.|url=http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/GT%20Oct.%2021%201.pdf/|access-date=February 19, 2015|newspaper=The Georgetown Current|date=October 21, 2009}} {{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Portlock|first=Sarah|title=Don Peebles: Seeking a fast climb up the ladder|url=http://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/don-peebles-seeking-a-fast-climb-up-the-ladder-SatDec2005204005002008/|access-date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=The Real Deal|date=June 2, 2008}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2020}} In 1990, Peebles founded RDP Assessment Appeals Services, a Washington-based commercial tax assessment appeals firm. Peebles continued to acquire commercial buildings and development sites in Washington, D.C. throughout the 1990s, including 10 G Street NE, and the Convention Center Courtyard by Marriott.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peebles turns up heat.|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2002/10/28/story1.html?page=all/|access-date=February 27, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Business Journal|last=Cubé|first=Christine|date=October 28, 2002}}</ref> In 1996, Peebles redeveloped the 1930s Royal Palm hotel in Miami Beach.<ref>{{cite news|title=Making A Splash|url=http://beta.peeblescorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Forbes-April-15-2002.pdf|access-date=March 2, 2015|work=Forbes|last=Kellner|first=Tomas|date=April 15, 2002|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154442/http://beta.peeblescorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Forbes-April-15-2002.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Royal Palm Resort became the nation's first major hotel developed and owned by an African American.<ref>{{cite news|title=From a Native Son, Politics of Getting Rich|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/23/AR2007052300603.html|access-date=March 2, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Woodlee|first=Yolanda|date=May 24, 2007}}</ref> Other Miami projects include The Residences at The Bath Club, a luxury residential tower. Peebles also co-developed The Lincoln, a mixed-use development featuring Class A office space in South Beach. In the early 2000s Peebles expanded into San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York.
On January 9, 1983, at the age of 23, Peebles opened his own residential and commercial real estate appraisal firm. Later that year, Mayor Marion Barry appointed him to Washington's real estate tax appeals board, the Board of Equalization and Review, now known as the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals. The following year, [[Marion Barry|Mayor Barry]] appointed him Chairperson of the board<ref name="wpost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/05/AR2010010503814.html?wprss=rss_metro|title=Millionaire Peebles says he won't run for mayor of D.C.|last=Schwartzman|first=Paul|date=January 6, 2010|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=December 5, 2010|author2=Nikita Stewart}}</ref> where he served until 1988. In 1986, a Peebles-led partnership acquired the site for his first commercial real estate development project.<ref name="CSQ:7" />


Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the District of Columbia, Peebles delivered his first-Class A building in 1989.<ref name="WP:45">{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Hamil R. |title=Anacostia Turning Over a New Leaf |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/11/10/anacostia-turning-over-a-new-leaf/881858b6-bbdb-4ebe-a8a9-36a61b2f9868/ |work=[[Washington Post]] |date=10 November 1994}}</ref>
Peebles had been a member of the Real Estate Board of New York's Board of Governors,<ref>{{cite news|last=Morris|first=Keiko|title=Real Estate Board of New York Names New President|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/real-estate-board-of-new-york-names-new-president-1418176044|access-date=March 9, 2015|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 10, 2014}}</ref> the former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau,<ref>{{cite news|title=Peebles re-elected to CVB post|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2004/05/24/daily22.html|access-date=March 9, 2015|newspaper=South Florida Business Journal|date=May 26, 2004}}</ref> an invitee to then-President-elect Clinton's 1992 Economic Summit in Arkansas, and in 2013 was named to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez's Mayoral Business Roundtable.
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<ref>{{cite web|title=Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez's launches the Mayoral "Business Roundtable"|url=http://www.miamidade.gov/mayor/releases/2014-03-17-mayoral-business-roundtable.asp|publisher=Miami-Dade County|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref>


In 1990, Peebles founded RDP Assessment Appeals Services, a Washington-based commercial tax assessment appeals firm. He continued to acquire commercial buildings and development sites, primarily throughs PPPs in Washington, DC throughout the 1990s, including 10 G Street NE, 59 M Street, and the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center Hotel. In 1996, Peebles won the development rights to the 1930s Royal Palm Hotel in Miami Beach. This landmark deal distinguished Peebles as the nation's first African American to own and develop a major hotel. He sold The Royal Palm Hotel in December 2004 for $127.5 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Tamara E. |title=Miami's Royal Palm Sells For $127.5m |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/miamis-royal-palm-sells-for-1275m/ |work=Black Enterprise |date=1 February 2005}}</ref>
=== Developments ===


⚫
In 2010, Peebles’ company was sued by the D.C. Attorney General for alleged billing issues. Peebles maintained the charges were politically motivated due to his opposition to then Mayor Adrian Fenty’s failed re-election bid earlier that year. The court dismissed most of the claims against Peebles.<ref name="WBJ:79">{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=Ben |title=D.C. sues Peebles' company |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/11/dc-nickles-sues-peebles-company.html |work=[[Washington Business Journal]] |date=November 10, 2010}}</ref> The suit was settled in 2012 for $120,000, a fraction of the initial claim. The court accepted the settlement, and dismissed the over-billing claims as moot.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neibauer |first1=Michael |title=D.C. settles civil case against partnership co-led by R. Donahue Peebles |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2012/11/dc-settles-civil-case-against.html?page=2 |work=[[Washington Business Journal]] |date=November 20, 2012}}</ref>
Peebles developed properties in Miami; Miami Beach; Washington, D.C.; and has pending developments in process in Boston, MA (Back Bay, Viola), Charlotte, N.C. (Brooklyn Village), and Los Angeles, CA (Angel's Landing).


After four years of negotiations with Broward County to build a convention center hotel, Peebles was unable to come to terms with the county and filed a lawsuit against the county for costs and the project was in litigation until 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=PEEBLES’ PLAN TO BUILD HOTEL LOSES SUPPORT |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2001/03/21/peebles-plan-to-build-hotel-loses-support/ |work=Sun Sentinel |date=21 March 2001}}</ref>
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In November 2010, D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles sued Peebles’ company for alleged overbilling; Peebles maintained the charges were politically motivated due to his opposition to then Mayor Adrian Fenty failed re-election bid earlier that year. A D.C. Superior Court dismissed most of the claims against Peebles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/11/dc-nickles-sues-peebles-company.html|title=D.C. sues Peebles' company|last=Fischer|first=Ben|date=November 10, 2010|work=Washington Business Journal|access-date=December 5, 2010}}</ref> The suit was settled in November 2012 by Nickles’ successor, D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan for $120,000, a fraction of the initial claim.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2012/11/dc-settles-civil-case-against.html?page=all|title=D.C. settles civil case against partnership co-led by R. Donahue Peebles|last=Neibauer|first=Michael|date=November 20, 2012|work=Washington Business Journal|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref> The court accepted the settlement, and dismissed as moot the over-billing claims.<ref name="DC Suit Settled">{{cite news|last1=Neibauer|first1=Michael|title=D.C. settles civil case against partnership co-led by R. Donahue Peebles|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2012/11/dc-settles-civil-case-against.html?page=2|agency=Washington Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=November 20, 2012}}</ref>


In 2014, Peebles, along with development partners, responded to a Request for Proposal to redevelop the LICH hospital site, but were unable to come to terms on the deal. Peebles alleged the site was environmentally uncertain and SUNY stopped negotiating with the partnership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/may-2014/5-28-14-lich/statement-from-communications-director-david-doyle.html|title=Statement from Communications Director David Doyle|website=Suny.edu|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>
Peebles's contract at 1801 Vine Street, a luxury boutique hotel in Philadelphia's historic [[Family Court Building]] was cancelled in November 2020 by the City of Philadelphia; Peebles said he was "puzzled" by Philadelphia's decision to cancel the agreement, despite years of delays, a lack of construction, and ballooning costs.<ref name="auto">{{cite web| url = https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article91821632.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160727134944/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article91821632.html| archive-date = 2016-07-27| title = Developer Don Peebles walks away from $125 million Overtown project {{!}} Miami Herald| website = [[Miami Herald]]}}</ref><ref name="Kimpton_Gone">{{cite news|last1=Adelman|first1=Jacob|title=Family Court hotel project on the Parkway gets boost from renovation-plan action|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/commercial/family-court-hotel-peebles-tax-credit-rejection-approved-kimpton.html|agency=Philly.com|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network, LLC|date=January 31, 2017}}</ref>


After years of negotiations with the Washington, DC agencies to transform an abandoned parcel in the Mount Vernon Triangle<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neilbauer |first1=Michael |title=Here's the Peebles plan for a hotel-apartment house in Mount Vernon Triangle |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2015/07/heres-the-peebles-plan-for-a-hotel-apartment-house.html |work=Washington Business Journal |date=Jul 31, 2015}}</ref> into a luxury hotel and condominiums, Peebles and his development partner were unable to move forward with the project. Peebles did deliver on his promise to provide an affordable housing component as a term of the initial proposal. The affordable housing development, 17 Mississippi, held its ribbon cutting ceremony on June 14th, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Legacy Real Estate Development, Domaine and The NHP Foundation Secure $23M for Construction of 17 Mississippi Avenue Apartments |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/legacy_real_estate_development_domaine_and_the_nhp_foundation_secure_23m_for_construction_of_17_mississippi_avenue_apartments/prweb18135502.htm |work=PRWeb |date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>
Peebles "walked away" from his proposed development of the SLS Hotel and Residences, a luxury hotel and condominiums in Washington, D.C.’s Mount Vernon Triangle.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jordan|first=John|title=Peebles-Walker Team Selected by DC to Build Hotel|url=http://www.globest.com/news/12_857/washington/hotel/Peebles-Walker-Team-Selected-by-DC-to-Build-Hotel-345900-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS|access-date=March 9, 2015|newspaper=GlobeSt.com|date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140518/http://www.globest.com/news/12_857/washington/hotel/Peebles-Walker-Team-Selected-by-DC-to-Build-Hotel-345900-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Peebles contract at 1801 Vine Street, a proposed luxury boutique hotel in Philadelphia's historic Family Court Building, was cancelled in November 2020 by the City of Philadelphia. The City cited larger economic trends which caused Peebles’ inability to begin construction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adelman |first1=Jacob |title=Philly undoes deal with developer Peebles to revamp historic Family Court building into luxury hotel |url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/peebles-philadelphia-family-court-hotel-redevelopment-purchase-agreement-cancelled-20201124.html |work=[[Inquirer]] |date=24 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
As of January 2022, Peebles is delayed on a 17-acre development consisting of 12 buildings with a mixture of uses including two hotels, office, apartment and residential condominium buildings in Charlotte, N.C. [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina]]. The project has been named Brooklyn Village.<ref name="Portillo_Peebles">{{cite news|last1=Portillo|first1=Ely|title=Marshall Park is on its way out – but will new development have enough park space?|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article95173087.html|agency=CharlotteObserver.com|publisher=Charlotte Observer|date=August 12, 2016}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}


Peebles partnership with Barron Channer to redevelop the Overtown Gateway sites in Miami was cancelled by the City of Miami.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bandell |first1=Brian |title=Weathy developer backs out of project that would have included affordable housing |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2016/07/26/weathy-developer-backs-out-of-project-that-would.html |work=South Florida Business Journal |date=July 26, 2016}}</ref> In the aftermath, the joint venture filed a lawsuit and it is currently being appealed. Peebles remains involved in the area and helped build CARE Elementary School in Overtown.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Sibley |title=Real Estate Gives Back: Don Peebles Champions Economic Equality |url=https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/real-estate-gives-back-don-peebles-champions-economic-equality/ |work=Commercial Property Executive |date=7 May 2019}}</ref> He is an active speaker at the school and works with organizations like the NBA to bring more attention and resources to this highly successful school.<ref>{{cite news |title=Miami Heat players take part in ribbon-cutting for refurbished kitchen, eating area at Overtown’s CARE Elementary |url=https://wsvn.com/sports/miami-heat-players-take-part-in-ribbon-cutting-for-refurbished-kitchen-eating-area-at-overtowns-care-elementary/ |work=WSVN 7News |date=8 June 2023}}</ref>
Peebles is required to break ground and begin construction by March 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2021/12/17/brooklyn-village-to-start-by-february-2023.html|title=Brooklyn Village developer updates status of long-awaited uptown project|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>


Peebles submitted an RFP to the City of New York to build the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=5 Reasons the Affirmation Tower Is New York's Most Exciting Real Estate Project |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/affirmation-tower-adjaye-peebles |work=Architectural Digest |date=10 December 2021}}</ref> It is slated to be the first skyscraper in the world to be built by a majority black development team, a renowned black architect, Sir Adjay, and a black contractor. He proposed building Affirmation Tower as a symbol of America’s promise of equal opportunity for all. Affirmation Tower has received extensive media coverage and overwhelming local and national support from citizens, community, and political leaders.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaufman |first1=David |title=How building Black is the next step in the buying Black movement |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/23/buying-black-affirmation-tower-minority-real-estate-development |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=23 February 2023}}</ref>
Due to Peebles reliance on reselling or flipping interests in government properties, Peebles is subject to frequent cancellations of development projects by government agencies.


As a result of the transition from the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo to Governor Kathy Hochul, the state cancelled the solicitation in December 2021 and plans to issue a new request for proposals it in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Liz |title=New York state rescinds RFP for development of lot next to Javits Center |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2021/12/22/new-york-state-rescinds-rfp-for-site-k-javits.html |work=New York Business Journal |date=December 23, 2021}}</ref>
After "four years of wrangling", Peebles failed to break ground on a convention center in Broward County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2001-03-21-0103210098-story.html|title=PEEBLES' PLAN TO BUILD HOTEL LOSES SUPPORT|website=Sun Sentinel|date=March 21, 2001 |access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> Peebles would eventually sue Broward County for costs, but Peebles claims were denied by a court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_3rd/Jul04_DPeebles.html|title=Donahue Peebles Rose to Prominence in South Florida as the Country's First Black Developer of a Major Convention Hotel; Peebles Says He's Tired of that Distinction / July 2004|website=Hotel-online.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>


His ongoing development projects, most of which are PPPs, include 108 Leonard Street (a.k.a. 346 Broadway), a joint venture with El-Ad Group,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dilakian |first1=Steven |title=Civil Rights Museum to Move to Don Peebles’ Affirmation Tower |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/03/24/civil-rights-museum-heading-to-peebles-west-side-tower-if-its-ever-built/ |work=The Real Deal |date=24 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> comprised of a luxury hotel and condominium in Manhattan's landmarked Clocktower Building;<ref>{{cite news |title=JP Morgan, Lionheart Lend $229M on Tribeca Clock Tower Building |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2022/01/jp-morgan-lionheart-walker-dunlop-peebles-elad/ |work=Commercial Observer |date=11 January 2022}}</ref> Angel's Landing, in Los Angeles;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Netzley |first1=Luke |title=New Angels Landing development hopes to bring financial boost Downtown |url=http://www.ladowntownnews.com/features/new-angels-landing-development-hopes-to-bring-financial-boost-downtown/article_f46b1122-16d0-11ed-b3c0-c7aa272cb841.html |work=Los Angeles Downtown News |date=8 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Brooklyn Village in Charlotte, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rago |first1=Gordon |title=Long-awaited $683 million Brooklyn Village project on track to start by early next year |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/development/article267147516.html |work=Charlotte Observer |date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Peebles also has projects in various stages of development in Boston and Atlanta.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patkin |first1=Abby |title=10 stories of affordable housing planned for Back Bay development |url=https://www.boston.com/real-estate/developments-construction/2022/10/31/back-bay-development-peebles-hynes-affordable-housing/ |work=www.boston.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schenke |first1=Jarred |title=Peebles To Debut In Atlanta With Major Redevelopment Of MARTA Station |url=https://www.bisnow.com/atlanta/news/mixed-use/peebles-exec-on-why-marta-redevelopment-is-right-up-the-fairway-for-us-115891 |work=Bisnow |date=October 17, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
Peebles was one of the failed bidders at the Aqueduct Casino in New York; Peebles was deemed "unknowingly impotent" by the New York State committee formed to evaluate bids.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/attachments.readmedia.com/9f047d7606996729a6f0d95a50998a86.pdf|title=Investigation Regarding the Selection of Aqueduct Entertainment Group to Operate a Video Lottery Terminal Facility at Aqueduct Racetrack|website=S3.amazonaws.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> Later, the New York State Office of the Investigator General would say that Peebles attempted to "fix the bid" with illegal campaign contributions. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/state-inspector-general-fix-aqueduct-racino-deal-blog-entry-1.1681457|title=State Inspector General: Fix Was In On Aqueduct Racino Deal|first=Celeste|last=Katz|website=Nydailynews.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>


In 1999, Peebles purchased The Bath Club, and became the first black member of an exclusive social club opened in 1926.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rigual |first1=Luis |title=Owner Don Peebles Tells All About Miami's The Bath Club's Fresh New Face |url=https://mlmiamimag.com/owner-don-peebles-tells-all-about-miamis-the-bath-clubs-fresh-new-face?__cf_chl_rt_tk=83.uqY1vaUCDhl0U6_6_A4oXO7COR0FhC.VvTsNii64-1691697493-0-gaNycGzNEGU |work=Modern Luxury Miami |date=February 24, 2020}}</ref>
Peebles bid on the LICH hospital site and failed to come to terms with the RFP proposal submitted; as with many Peebles deals, he alleged the site was environmentally uncertain and SUNY stopped negotiating with Peebles after it was revealed Peebles had engaged in bad faith negotiations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2014/05/28/suny-ends-talks-with-peebles-to-buy-lich-fortis-next-up/|title=SUNY ends talks with Peebles to buy LICH; Fortis next up|date=May 28, 2014|website=Brooklyn Eagle|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>


Peebles is known to be the most successful real estate developer in the area of [[Public–private partnership|Public-Private Partnership]]s. As seen in any PPP, external factors have impacted the projects taken up by Peebles as well.
In a Press Release, SUNY stated:"Unfortunately, several portions of the Peebles proposal have dramatically changed, including the possibility of long delays in the manner and method in which health care will be provided at the site," SUNY spokesman David Doyle said: "Additionally, Peebles is seeking a cost-sharing agreement in which taxpayers would be partially responsible for [[environmental remediation]], which is far outside the scope of the RFP. These deviations from the initial proposal are unacceptable to SUNY from both a health care and business perspective."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/may-2014/5-28-14-lich/statement-from-communications-director-david-doyle.html|title=Statement from Communications Director David Doyle|website=Suny.edu|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>


Peebles formed a joint venture with MGM Grand and Harbinger Capital in response to an RFP for the Aqueduct Casino in New York.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/state-inspector-general-fix-aqueduct-racino-deal-blog-entry-1.1681457|title=State Inspector General: Fix Was In On Aqueduct Racino Deal|first=Celeste|last=Katz|website=Nydailynews.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> There were ten bidders overall and a non US, Malaysian firm was chosen. There existed public scrutiny relating to the manner in which then Governor David Patterson and state legislators managed the entire bidding process.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bagli |first1=Charles |title=Report Criticizes Senators on Casino in Queens (Published 2010) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/nyregion/22casino.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=21 October 2010 |language=en}}</ref>
One of many in a string of cancelled projects, in November 2020, the City of Philadelphia cancelled Peebles contract to acquire the Family Court Building at 1801 Vine Street; the City cited Peebles inability to begin construction after over 7 years of delays, as well as larger economic trends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/peebles-philadelphia-family-court-hotel-redevelopment-purchase-agreement-cancelled-20201124.html|title=Philly undoes deal with developer Peebles to revamp historic Family Court building into luxury hotel|first=Jacob|last=Adelman|website=Inquirer.com|date=November 24, 2020 }}</ref> Peebles had obtained millions of dollars in government grants over the course of 7 years, and was one of several Peebles contracts cancelled by cities due to delays by Peebles.<ref name="auto"/> Peebles also lost a project in Miami's Overtown neighborhood and litigated against the City and the subsequent owners; many of Peebles claims were dismissed in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/big-overtown-project-moves-ahead-as-judge-dismisses-part-of-a-lawsuit-that-froze-it/ar-BB192olC|title=Big Overtown project moves ahead as judge dismisses part of a lawsuit that froze it|website=Msn.com}}</ref>


In 2022, Peebles pledged 50,000 square feet of space at the base of the tower to house Rev. Al Sharpton’s planned National Civil Rights Museum. A home for the NAACP was also a part of Peebles’ bid. He said his team is planning to resubmit their bid when the new solicitation is issued.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dilakian |first1=Steven |title=Civil Rights Museum to Move to Don Peebles’ Affirmation Tower |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2022/03/24/civil-rights-museum-heading-to-peebles-west-side-tower-if-its-ever-built/ |work=[[The Real Deal]] |date=24 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
Peebles partnership with Barron Channer to redevelop the Overtown Gateway sites in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami was cancelled by the City of Miami due to Peebles' failure to obtain financing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2016/07/26/weathy-developer-backs-out-of-project-that-would.html|title=Weathy developer backs out of project that would have included affordable housing|website=Bizjournalsc.om|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> After losing the project, Peebles sued Swerdlow Group, but his claims were dismissed by the Court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://therealdeal.com/miami/2021/10/18/don-peebles-drops-remaining-160m-claims-tied-to-overtown-development-lawsuit/|title = Don Peebles Drops $160M Claims Tied to Overtown Dev Site|date = October 18, 2021}}</ref>


In October 2022, Peebles entered into a joint venture with Bankhead MARTA development project. Peebles is to redevelop 3.8 acres of land along with air-rights above the Bankhead MARTA rail station, as a mixed-use transit-oriented community including approximately 490+ multi-family housing units. The concept also includes retail, hotel, office, parking, and open spaces.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schenke |first1=Jarred |title=Peebles To Debut In Atlanta With Major Redevelopment Of MARTA Station |url=https://www.bisnow.com/atlanta/news/mixed-use/peebles-exec-on-why-marta-redevelopment-is-right-up-the-fairway-for-us-115891 |work=Bisnow |date=October 17, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yellig |first1=John |title=MARTA, Peebles enter negotiations for major mixed-use development on the Westside |url=https://atlantaagentmagazine.com/2022/10/17/marta-peebles-enter-negotiations-for-major-mixed-use-development-on-the-westside/ |work=Atlanta Agent Magazine |date=17 October 2022}}</ref>
Peebles attempt to build a hotel at the District owned site in Washington D.C. was long delayed and failed when the City demanded Peebles provide affordable housing; Peebles attempt to shift the affordable housing element to a separate, vacant site he already owned. D.C. Mayor Browser publicly criticized Peebles attempt to avoid providing affordable housing at the site.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2016/08/26/d-c-mayor-bowser-to-don-peebles-give-me-my-affordable-housing/|title=D.C. Mayor Bowser to Don Peebles: Give me my affordable housing|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/04/04/the-debacle-at-fifth-and-eye-why-the-lot-is-still.html|title=The Debacle at Fifth and Eye : Why the Lot is Still Vacant|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> Peebles was also sued by his partner on the project: The Walker Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/03/19/peebles-sued-by-partner-on-fifth-and-eye-hotel.htmll|title=Peebles Sued by Partner on Fifth and Eye Hotel|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>

Peebles released numerous press releases toting his RFP response to a New York State RFP for "Site K" in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commercialobserver.com/2021/10/peebles-proposes-manhattans-first-majority-black-built-skyscraper-at-site-k/|title=Peebles Proposes Manhattan's First Black-Built Skyscraper at 'Site K'|author=Anna Staropoli|website=Commercialobserver.com|date=October 15, 2021|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> Peebles's proposal was one of many received by the State in response to the RFP, however, Peebles appeared to be the only one of the RFP respondents to leak plans, publicly advocate, and give interviews on the RFP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2021/10/13/peebles-proposal-site-k-javits-center.htmll|title=Peebles Corp. and partners unveil bid to build skyscraper on site next to Javits Center|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref>

Peebles RFP response and interviews apparently did not impress interim-Governor Katie Hochul. In December 2021, the State of New York cancelled Peebles' bid to build a skyscraper at Site K in New York, New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2021/12/22/new-york-state-rescinds-rfp-for-site-k-javits.html|title=New York state rescinds RFP for development of lot next to Javits Center|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mymodernmet.com/adjaye-associates-affirmation-tower/|title=Upside-Down Skyscraper Proposal Could Become One of NYC's Tallest Buildings|website=Mymodernmet.com|date=December 30, 2021}}</ref> The cancelled project was dubbed "Affirmation Tower" and was set to include the NAACP as a tenant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rew-online.com/all-black-team-aiming-to-develop-first-skyscraper-built-by-blacks-in-nyc-history/|title = All Black team aiming to develop first skyscraper built by African Americans in NYC history|website=Rew-online.com|date = October 13, 2021}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Line 70: Line 65:
* "Company of the Year." by Black Enterprise Magazine<ref name="Black Enterprise">{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Alan|title=The Master Builder Strikes Again|url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/the-masterbuilder-strikes-again/|access-date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=Black Enterprise|date=November 1, 2009}}</ref>
* "Company of the Year." by Black Enterprise Magazine<ref name="Black Enterprise">{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Alan|title=The Master Builder Strikes Again|url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/the-masterbuilder-strikes-again/|access-date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=Black Enterprise|date=November 1, 2009}}</ref>
* “Business Trailblazers and Titans of Black America” by Black Enterprise Magazine<ref>{{cite news|title= THE BUSINESS TRAILBLAZERS AND TITANS OF BLACK AMERICA|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-business-trailblazers-and-titans/3/|newspaper=Black Enterprise|date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>
* “Business Trailblazers and Titans of Black America” by Black Enterprise Magazine<ref>{{cite news|title= THE BUSINESS TRAILBLAZERS AND TITANS OF BLACK AMERICA|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-business-trailblazers-and-titans/3/|newspaper=Black Enterprise|date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>
* Reginald F. Lewis Award for Entrepreneurship<ref>{{cite news |title=Reginald F. Lewis - RFL |url=https://reginaldflewis.com/reginaldflewis.com/news-media/090620-Top-US-Entrepreneur-Inspired-To-Succeed-By-Reginald-F-Lewis.html |work=reginaldflewis.com}}</ref>
* Corporate Citizen Award from One Hundred Black Men of New York<ref>{{cite news |title=LEADERS Interview with R. Donahue Peebles, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Peebles Corporation |url=https://www.leadersmag.com/issues/2020.4_Oct/New_York_Resilience/LEADERS-Donahue-Peebles-The-Peebles-Corporation.html |work=www.leadersmag.com}}</ref>


== Philanthropy & board positions ==
== Philanthropy & board positions ==

Peebles is former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.<ref name="Black Enterprise"/>
* Former Board Member of Florida International University<ref>{{cite news |title=R. Donahue Peebles's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/r-donahue-peebles-39 |work=The HistoryMakers |language=en}}</ref>
* Former Chair of Florida Builder’s Association<ref>{{cite news |title=R. Donahue Peebles's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/r-donahue-peebles-39 |work=The HistoryMakers |language=en}}</ref>
* Founder Entrepreneurship Academy at The Hospitality High School in Washington, DC<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Sibley |title=Real Estate Gives Back: Don Peebles Champions Economic Equality |url=https://www.commercialsearch.com/news/real-estate-gives-back-don-peebles-champions-economic-equality/ |work=Commercial Property Executive |date=7 May 2019}}</ref>
* Founding Member of CARE Elementary in Miami, FL<ref>{{cite news |title=The Rainmaker |url=https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=253047&article_id=1975756&view=articleBrowser |work=mydigitalpublication.com}}</ref>
* Founding Member of National Association of Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers<ref>{{cite news |title=Don Peebles Discusses How Far Black Real Estate Development Has Come |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2023/06/don-peebles-nyrec-angels-landing-affirmation-tower/ |work=Commercial Observer |date=12 June 2023}}</ref>
* Founding Member of New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC)<ref>{{cite news |title=In the News |url=https://issuu.com/morehousemagazine/docs/springsummer2008 |work=Morehouse Magazine |date=21 March 2008 |language=en}}</ref>
* Inaugural Member of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Renaissance Leaders at Morehouse College<ref>{{cite news |title=R. Donahue Peebles's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/r-donahue-peebles-39 |work=The HistoryMakers |language=en}}</ref>
* Member of the Board of Visitors Industry Council<ref>{{cite news |title=R. Donahue Peebles's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/r-donahue-peebles-39 |work=The HistoryMakers |language=en}}</ref>
* Member of the Board of YMCA of Greater New York <ref>{{cite news |title=Board of Directors |url=https://ymcanyc.org/about/board-directors |work=YMCA NYC |language=en}}</ref>
* Member of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Board of Governors<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rebong |first1=Kevin |title=Don Peebles Says Commercial Real Estate Must Address Lack of Diversity |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2020/07/21/don-peebles-diversity-capital-call-developer-says-push-for-equal-economic-opportunity-is-not-going-away/ |work=The Real Deal |date=21 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
* Member of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’s Mayoral Business Roundtable<ref>{{cite news |title=Miami-Dade County - Office of the Mayor - News Release |url=http://www.miamidade.gov/mayor/releases/2014-03-17-mayoral-business-roundtable.asp |work=www.miamidade.gov}}</ref>
*Former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.<ref name="Black Enterprise">{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Alan|title=The Master Builder Strikes Again|url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/the-masterbuilder-strikes-again/|access-date=September 24, 2012|newspaper=Black Enterprise|date=November 1, 2009}}</ref>


== Politics and affiliations ==
== Politics and affiliations ==

Revision as of 18:35, 9 March 2024

Don Peebles
File:R. Donahue Peebles.jpg
Born
Roy Donahue Peebles

(1960-03-02) March 2, 1960 (age 64)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
EducationRutgers University, New Brunswick (dropped out Freshman year)[1]
TitleFounder, Chairman and CEO of the Peebles Corporation
WebsiteOfficial website

Roy Donahue "Don" Peebles (born March 2, 1960) is an American millionaire,[2] real estate entrepreneur, author, national media commentator and political leader. Peebles is the founder, Chairman/CEO of The Peebles Corporation (TPC), a privately held real estate investment and development company he established in 1983.

According to Forbes, Peebles is one of the most successful African American CEOs,[3] whose majority projects are executed through public-private partnerships.[4]

In May 2009, Forbes listed Peebles in the top ten of the wealthiest black Americans,[5] and in January 2015 it estimated his net worth to be over $700 million.[6] In April 2015, Black Enterprise named Peebles as one of the "Business Trailblazers and Titans of Black America: 40 most powerful African Americans in business".[7]

Background

Peebles was born in Washington, D.C. to Ruth Yvonne Willoughby and Roy Donahue Peebles Sr.[8] Peebles and his mother, a real estate professional, relocated to Detroit, MI when he was eight years old. At the age of 13, Peebles and his mother returned to DC where he completed high school at The Congressional Page High School while serving as a congressional page in the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill. During this time, he was an intern for two members of Congress and also worked as a staff aide for another Congressional member.[9] He attended Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey where he studied pre-medicine.[4]

His grandfather was a doorman at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel[10] in Washington D.C. Peebles has said that assisting his father as a car mechanic while still a child contributed to his strong work ethic.[11]

Career

On January 9, 1983, at the age of 23, Peebles opened his own residential and commercial real estate appraisal firm. Later that year, Mayor Marion Barry appointed him to Washington's real estate tax appeals board, the Board of Equalization and Review, now known as the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals. The following year, Mayor Barry appointed him Chairperson of the board[12] where he served until 1988. In 1986, a Peebles-led partnership acquired the site for his first commercial real estate development project.[4]

Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the District of Columbia, Peebles delivered his first-Class A building in 1989.[13]

In 1990, Peebles founded RDP Assessment Appeals Services, a Washington-based commercial tax assessment appeals firm. He continued to acquire commercial buildings and development sites, primarily throughs PPPs in Washington, DC throughout the 1990s, including 10 G Street NE, 59 M Street, and the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center Hotel. In 1996, Peebles won the development rights to the 1930s Royal Palm Hotel in Miami Beach. This landmark deal distinguished Peebles as the nation's first African American to own and develop a major hotel. He sold The Royal Palm Hotel in December 2004 for $127.5 million.[14]

In 2010, Peebles’ company was sued by the D.C. Attorney General for alleged billing issues. Peebles maintained the charges were politically motivated due to his opposition to then Mayor Adrian Fenty’s failed re-election bid earlier that year. The court dismissed most of the claims against Peebles.[15] The suit was settled in 2012 for $120,000, a fraction of the initial claim. The court accepted the settlement, and dismissed the over-billing claims as moot.[16]

After four years of negotiations with Broward County to build a convention center hotel, Peebles was unable to come to terms with the county and filed a lawsuit against the county for costs and the project was in litigation until 2012.[17]

In 2014, Peebles, along with development partners, responded to a Request for Proposal to redevelop the LICH hospital site, but were unable to come to terms on the deal. Peebles alleged the site was environmentally uncertain and SUNY stopped negotiating with the partnership.[18]

After years of negotiations with the Washington, DC agencies to transform an abandoned parcel in the Mount Vernon Triangle[19] into a luxury hotel and condominiums, Peebles and his development partner were unable to move forward with the project. Peebles did deliver on his promise to provide an affordable housing component as a term of the initial proposal. The affordable housing development, 17 Mississippi, held its ribbon cutting ceremony on June 14th, 2023.[20]

Peebles contract at 1801 Vine Street, a proposed luxury boutique hotel in Philadelphia's historic Family Court Building, was cancelled in November 2020 by the City of Philadelphia. The City cited larger economic trends which caused Peebles’ inability to begin construction.[21]

Peebles partnership with Barron Channer to redevelop the Overtown Gateway sites in Miami was cancelled by the City of Miami.[22] In the aftermath, the joint venture filed a lawsuit and it is currently being appealed. Peebles remains involved in the area and helped build CARE Elementary School in Overtown.[23] He is an active speaker at the school and works with organizations like the NBA to bring more attention and resources to this highly successful school.[24]

Peebles submitted an RFP to the City of New York to build the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.[25] It is slated to be the first skyscraper in the world to be built by a majority black development team, a renowned black architect, Sir Adjay, and a black contractor. He proposed building Affirmation Tower as a symbol of America’s promise of equal opportunity for all. Affirmation Tower has received extensive media coverage and overwhelming local and national support from citizens, community, and political leaders.[26]

As a result of the transition from the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo to Governor Kathy Hochul, the state cancelled the solicitation in December 2021 and plans to issue a new request for proposals it in 2023.[27]

His ongoing development projects, most of which are PPPs, include 108 Leonard Street (a.k.a. 346 Broadway), a joint venture with El-Ad Group,[28] comprised of a luxury hotel and condominium in Manhattan's landmarked Clocktower Building;[29] Angel's Landing, in Los Angeles;[30] Brooklyn Village in Charlotte, North Carolina.[31] Peebles also has projects in various stages of development in Boston and Atlanta.[32][33]

In 1999, Peebles purchased The Bath Club, and became the first black member of an exclusive social club opened in 1926.[34]

Peebles is known to be the most successful real estate developer in the area of Public-Private Partnerships. As seen in any PPP, external factors have impacted the projects taken up by Peebles as well.

Peebles formed a joint venture with MGM Grand and Harbinger Capital in response to an RFP for the Aqueduct Casino in New York.[35] There were ten bidders overall and a non US, Malaysian firm was chosen. There existed public scrutiny relating to the manner in which then Governor David Patterson and state legislators managed the entire bidding process.[36]

In 2022, Peebles pledged 50,000 square feet of space at the base of the tower to house Rev. Al Sharpton’s planned National Civil Rights Museum. A home for the NAACP was also a part of Peebles’ bid. He said his team is planning to resubmit their bid when the new solicitation is issued.[37]

In October 2022, Peebles entered into a joint venture with Bankhead MARTA development project. Peebles is to redevelop 3.8 acres of land along with air-rights above the Bankhead MARTA rail station, as a mixed-use transit-oriented community including approximately 490+ multi-family housing units. The concept also includes retail, hotel, office, parking, and open spaces.[38][39]

Awards

  • TheGrio Business Icon Award[40]
  • New York City Mission Society “Champion of Children” Award[41][42]
  • CSQ 2019 Visionary of the Year Award[43]
  • "Company of the Year." by Black Enterprise Magazine[44]
  • “Business Trailblazers and Titans of Black America” by Black Enterprise Magazine[45]
  • Reginald F. Lewis Award for Entrepreneurship[46]
  • Corporate Citizen Award from One Hundred Black Men of New York[47]

Philanthropy & board positions

  • Former Board Member of Florida International University[48]
  • Former Chair of Florida Builder’s Association[49]
  • Founder Entrepreneurship Academy at The Hospitality High School in Washington, DC[50]
  • Founding Member of CARE Elementary in Miami, FL[51]
  • Founding Member of National Association of Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers[52]
  • Founding Member of New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC)[53]
  • Inaugural Member of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Renaissance Leaders at Morehouse College[54]
  • Member of the Board of Visitors Industry Council[55]
  • Member of the Board of YMCA of Greater New York [56]
  • Member of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Board of Governors[57]
  • Member of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez’s Mayoral Business Roundtable[58]
  • Former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.[44]

Politics and affiliations

Peebles has been politically engaged since the 1970s. He served on President Bill Clinton’s national finance committee during the 1992 presidential race,[4] joined his Economic Summit in Arkansas that same year, and has hosted President Clinton at his homes on several occasions. He was as a member of President Barack Obama's National Finance Committee for the President's 2008 election and his 2012 reelection campaign.[59] In May 2008, Peebles hosted then Senator Obama for a campaign fundraiser at The Bath Club in Miami Beach and later hosted President Obama at the Peebles’ home in Washington D.C. for a campaign fundraiser on August 8, 2011.[60]

In 2010, Peebles announced he had considered running to become mayor of Washington,[61] but he decided against it due to his mother-in-law's terminal illness.[62] He had also publicly considered running for Mayor of Miami and of New York City and received encouragement from many political and community leaders.[63]

In 2013, Peebles was elected vice chairman of the board of directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.[64] In July 2015, he was elevated to chairperson of the CBCF's board of directors and re-elected in February 2016, a role he held until February 2017. Peebles was the only non-member of Congress to be elected to the position of Chairperson of the CBCF.[65]

Peebles' advocacy for minority and women owned businesses, a more business friendly environment, and expansion of Charter Schools raised speculation[66] that he was a potential candidate to challenge de Blasio for re-election in the 2017 election cycle for the term beginning January 2018, however, Peebles did not enter the race citing wanting to teach his then 22-year-old son, a recent graduate from Columbia University, the real estate business, and to spend time with his 14-year-old daughter during her last four years at home before college.[67][68]

Peebles frequently appears on CNN, Fox News, CNBC and other networks to discuss political, economic and business issues.[69] As an advocate for economic empowerment, Peebles and his wife, Katrina Peebles, have supported both parties, in various congressional, mayoral, gubernatorial, and presidential elections over the years.[70] He supports small business and minority-focused initiatives emerging from The White House with a focus on policy change rather than political affiliation.[71]

In 2014, Mayor DeBlasio contacted Peebles for a $20,000 donation to support the mayor's universal pre-K program, UPKNYC, which is now shut down. Reportedly DeBlasio used the donation for political work and not for charitable work. When Peebles learned that the money was used for DeBlasio’s political campaign, he asked for a return. That same year, a Peebles-led team responded to an RFP to redevelop Long Island Community Hospital. SUNY Downstate Medical Center ended talks with Peebles over an impasse about remediation costs on May 28, 2014 and later made a deal with Fortis Property Group. According to media reports, his Peebles team was ranked higher than the RFP of Fortis. De Blasio was under state and federal investigation for campaign finance scandals.[72][73]

Personal life

Peebles moved to Miami, Florida, in 1998 and then to Coral Gables in 2001. He had homes in Coral Gables and New York City, but sold his Coral Gables house in 2021 for $13 million.[74]

He currently lives in Miami Beach, Florida, Sag Harbor, NY and New York City with his wife Katrina, a former PR executive, whom he married in 1994.[75][76] She is an interior designer and serves on the Board of Directors of The Peebles Corporation.

Peebles' son, Donahue, is a Columbia University graduate and is currently working at The Peebles Corporation, where he is leading the company's national development efforts,[77] His daughter, Chloe, is a Division 1 athlete, university student and a national hunt seat equestrian competitor.[78]

Writing

  • The Peebles Principles: Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business, and Creating a Fortune from Scratch. R. Donahue Peebles with J. P. Faber. John Wiley and Sons (2007). ISBN 0-470-09930-5.
  • The Peebles Path to Real Estate Wealth: How to Make Money in Any Market. R. Donahue Peebles with J. P. Faber. John Wiley and Sons (2008). ISBN 0-470-37280-X.

References

  1. ^ "How Don Peebles Became One of the Wealthiest African-American Real Estate Developers". June 24, 2020.
  2. ^ McMullen, Troy (October 12, 2018). "Real estate entrepreneur Don Peebles is still building on his success". Washington Post.
  3. ^ Sorvino, Chloe (January 27, 2015). "Successful African American Real Estate Mogul Inches Closer To Billionaire Status". Forbes.
  4. ^ a b c d Pressberg, Matt (June 24, 2020). "How Don Peebles Became One of the Wealthiest African-American Real Estate Developers". C-Suite Quarterly.
  5. ^ Miller, Matthew (May 6, 2009). "In Pictures: The Wealthiest Black Americans". Forbes. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  6. ^ Sorvino, Chloe (January 27, 2015). "Successful African American Real Estate Mogul Inches Closer to Billionaire Status". Forbes.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  7. ^ "The Business Trailblazers and Titans of Black America". April 25, 2015. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Smith, Timothy (December 22, 2010). "Roy D. Peebles Sr., 80: Federal employee, mechanic". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
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