D.C. native 8th on Forbes 'wealthiest' list
Brandi Forte/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 2/7/10 Section: Cover
"My father and I had a close relationship in the early part of my childhood. After my parents divorced there was some distance. I learned the willingness to work hard from my uncles and my grandfather taught me that there were no limits," Peebles said. "At the same time my father always had two jobs. He worked for the government and as an auto mechanic. I got my work ethic from him."
In 1965, he and his mother moved to Naylor Road and Southern Avenue in Southeast. Then in 1974, they moved again. This time to Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness - in upper Northwest.
He attended Alice Deal Junior High School, Wilson High in 10th grade and graduated from U.C. Capitol Page School.
"I was just better than average," Peebles told the District Chronicles, referring to his academic acumen. Peebles liked playing basketball and was a member of the chess team. Someone else was the valedictorian. After high school, Peebles attended Rutgers University for a year before dropping out to focus on making real estate deals and building The Peebles Corporation.
"One thing that playing chess taught me about life is how to plan ahead, thinking forward, being strategic about my opponent and how to be eight steps ahead of the game," he said.
Peebles's grandfather worked as a doorman for Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for 41 years. It was no small bit of irony when, in 1994, Peebles bought and converted 900 F Street, N.W, into what it is today: a Marriott Hotel.
Now the Peebles Corporation is the nation's largest African American real estate development company. The company boasts luxury hotels and high-rise residential and commercial properties here in D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami Beach. In the near future, he plans to invest and build more minority banks that provide loans and capitol to minority businesses.
One factor that thrust Peebles to the pinnacle of wealth and success is his political savvy. And he is not shy about discussing politics or getting politically involved. The real estate titan said that the city has only experienced moderate improvements since 1989. There's still a lot of work to do.
In 1965, he and his mother moved to Naylor Road and Southern Avenue in Southeast. Then in 1974, they moved again. This time to Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness - in upper Northwest.
He attended Alice Deal Junior High School, Wilson High in 10th grade and graduated from U.C. Capitol Page School.
"I was just better than average," Peebles told the District Chronicles, referring to his academic acumen. Peebles liked playing basketball and was a member of the chess team. Someone else was the valedictorian. After high school, Peebles attended Rutgers University for a year before dropping out to focus on making real estate deals and building The Peebles Corporation.
"One thing that playing chess taught me about life is how to plan ahead, thinking forward, being strategic about my opponent and how to be eight steps ahead of the game," he said.
Peebles's grandfather worked as a doorman for Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for 41 years. It was no small bit of irony when, in 1994, Peebles bought and converted 900 F Street, N.W, into what it is today: a Marriott Hotel.
Now the Peebles Corporation is the nation's largest African American real estate development company. The company boasts luxury hotels and high-rise residential and commercial properties here in D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami Beach. In the near future, he plans to invest and build more minority banks that provide loans and capitol to minority businesses.
One factor that thrust Peebles to the pinnacle of wealth and success is his political savvy. And he is not shy about discussing politics or getting politically involved. The real estate titan said that the city has only experienced moderate improvements since 1989. There's still a lot of work to do.
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