It is with profound sadness and gratitude that we mark the passing of our founder, Giuseppe Cecchi, at the age of 93. A visionary developer and philanthropist whose impact on the National Capital area and beyond has been extraordinary, Mr. Cecchi led the development of 28 residential communities comprising 14,000 homes, as well as 2.7 million square feet of office and commercial space, 1400 hotel rooms and 2400 acres of land development for the communities of Burke Centre and Franklin Farm. More than 26,000 people live in IDI homes in communities that have earned more than 85 prestigious industry awards for design, construction and special programs, as well as for community governance and operation.
A Pioneering History
Mr. Cecchi’s career was marked by many “firsts” as he broke new ground and set new trends: the first mixed use development in the National Capital area; the first resort-style condominium community in Northern Virginia; the first instance of converting a rental community to a condominium community without anyone being evicted from the nearly 1700 homes; the first planned unit developments in the DC area.
Born in Milan, Italy, to Antonio Cecchi, the head engineer of the city of Milan at that time, Cecchi followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, graduating from the University of Milan in 1955 with a master’s degree in professional engineering. In 1959, he came to the United States to scout real estate investments for the firm Societa’ Generale Immobiliare (SGI). Thus, he first made his mark on the Nation’s Capital prior to forming IDI, introducing the area to its first mixed-use project: The Watergate. From there, he moved on to create Watergate at Landmark, the first luxury condominium in Alexandria’s West End. It would be the model for a series of large, residential communities with extensive recreational facilities to be successfully developed by IDI throughout the Washington area.
In 1977, Ihe pioneered a widely hailed program of tenant-sensitive condominium conversions when the company acquired and redeveloped the 1,684-unit Parkfairfax complex. With no evictions, IDI was able to upgrade apartments and convert them into condominiums at sale prices that were affordable to existing tenants, providing a private solution to the need for affordable housing. More than 30 years later, the existing quality endured, as Parkfairfax was named Best Condominium Community in the Metropolitan area for 1999. Following the model that saw so much success at Parkfairfax, IDI replicated its innovative “no-eviction-conversion” on an additional 1,300 units at Parc East and Belle View. Mr. Cecchi was also part of the creation of new neighborhoods in large planned communities through his role
in developing Burke Centre and Franklin Farm. With IDI’s successful condominium communities considered national models for their luxury and abundant amenities, The Washington Post once dubbed Mr. Cecchi “Condo King!.”
In 1980, Mr. Cecchi teamed up with California-based developer Ross Cortese for the completion of the residential and recreational facilities at Leisure World in Silver Spring and then Leisure World of Virginia, now Lansdowne Woods of Virginia. Giuseppe Cecchi’s impact on the greater Washington area has been and will continue to be significant for generations to come.
An Outstanding Corporate Citizen – and Example
Under Mr. Cecchi’s leadership, IDI is a principled, family-owned company which has, because of the way it conducts business, improved the lives of thousands of area residents who have lived in its communities, worked in its buildings, stayed in its hotels, or worked on its behalf. Mr. Cecchi made certain that IDI is at its heart a caring, family company, where family extends beyond the actual family members who have now taken leadership roles, to include taking care of the people who work for and with the company and the people who buy their products. Loyalty plays a powerful role in the quality of IDI products and its relationships; many of the company’s employees and team members have worked with the company for decades.
IDI provides regular and considerable financial support and sometimes board service to the following community organizations: Washington Board of Trade; Federal City Council; Alexandria and Arlington Chambers of Commerce; Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance; Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation; Carpenter’s Shelter; Turning Point Suffragist Memorial Association; Alexandria Seaport Foundation; Northern Virginia Urban League; Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; ACT for Alexandria; Catholics for Housing; Housing Opportunity Community Partners; Rebuilding Together Alexandria; Arlington Food Assistance Center and the Arlington Free Clinic. In addition, the Cecchi family provides significant financial support to: Catholic Charities; Children’s Hospital Foundation; Food for the Poor; Medstar Washington Hospital Center; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; American Red Cross; DC Central Kitchen; Salvation Army; S.O.M.E.; Virginia Hospital Center Foundation; DC Students Construction Trades Foundation the Northern Virginia and DC Building Industry Associations; the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties; the Apartment and Office Building Association; Constituting America; the St. Labre Indian School; the Susan G. Komen Foundation; and the Wounded
Warrior Project. The Cecchis attended mass at both St. John and St. Luke in McLean, Va. and maintained close ties with Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Washington DC.
Most of All, A Family Man
A resident of McLean, VA for 45 years, Cecchi’s pride and joy was his family, and he is survived by his wife, Mercedes; his four sons: Enrico, Antonio, Carlos & Giuseppe (John); daughters-in-law Bobbi-Jo, Andrea, Lisa and Kristin; and 12 grandchildren: Carla, Malena, Rose, Gabrielle, Enrico, Giuseppe, Fior, Piero, Marco, Antonio, Valentina and Giuseppe.
Here is just some of the Washington Post’s coverage of Mr. Cecchi over the last five decades.
Giuseppe Cecchi, Wasington developer behind the Watergate, dies at 93. Washington Post, April 9, 2024.
Developer Returns to Techworld. Washington Post, November 3, 1998.
Prominent Developers Form New Partnership. Washington Post, December 4, 1986.
Plans Unveiled for Complex at Ballston Metro. Washington Post, October 15, 1985.
‘Condo King’ Rules $300 Million Empire. Washington Post, April 18, 1981.
