Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, The Peebles Corp.
Education:
Honorary Doctorate, Johnson & Wales University, Miami
Rutgers University (one year), Newark, N.J.
Work Experience:
Peebles started his real estate career as an appraiser of inner-city houses in the District of Columbia. Within seven years, at the age of 26, he had negotiated his first development deal, a 100,000-square-foot office building in Washington.
From 1984 to 1988, Peebles served as chairman of the District of Columbia real estate tax appeal board, then known as the Board of Equalization and Review. After leaving that post, Peebles established a lucrative, Washington-based commercial tax assessment appeals firm at the age of 28.
By 1997, Peebles had changed the name of his company to Peebles Atlantic Development Corp. and had generated more than 1 million square feet of commercial real estate. That same year, Peebles moved his corporate headquarters to Miami to pursue business opportunities in Florida. Shortly after relocating, he was chosen to chair the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau for two consecutive terms and is credited with overseeing record increases in travel to Miami-Dade County and redefining it as a year-round tourism destination. Today, Peebles has more than $4 billion in current projects underway in Detroit, the Florida Keys, Washington, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Pacifica, Calif. In January 2006, he changed the company’s name to The Peebles Corp. to reflect its national focus.
Current Projects:
Manoir Villas, a residential resort on five acres in the Florida Keys at Mile Marker 54 with 72 furnished, waterfront vacation homes, each with private elevator and roof terrace, priced from $1.8 million.
Peebles’ yet-to-be named Las Vegas project will rise on about 13 acres just off of Edison Avenue and due west of Paradise Boulevard. This mixed-use development is comprised of four high-rise structures, three condominium buildings and an 800-room hotel tower with about 1,030 residential units above. The total gross area of construction for Las Palmas is estimated at 5.2 million square feet. The sell-out is estimated to be close to $1.6 billion.
Recently Completed Projects:
The Residences at The Bath Club is undoubtedly Miami’s most exclusive residential and club enclave following a high-profile $167 million restoration and expansion. The historic Bath Club, a celebrated beach-front retreat since the Roaring 1920s, is now home to just more than 100 privileged families with 107 sprawling condominium residences and Miami’s only oceanfront villas. The property itself, which occupies 5.5 private acres, is located at 5937 Collins Ave.
Community Involvement:
Raised in Washington in a single-parent household, Peebles has a soft spot for at-risk, inner-city children. Consequently, the multimillionaire real estate developer makes frequent forays into Miami’s poorest neighborhoods to exhort teens to pursue careers in business.
Passions:
Peebles has addressed numerous educational, business and professional associations across the nation, including the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, The Wharton School of Business and Harvard Business School’s African American Alumni Association, to name a few.