Rashid Salem

I'm Rashid Salem, a Dallas and Washington, DC-based real estate developer and the Founder and Principal of Petra Development, a national development platform with over $2 billion in total development value. Operating across luxury residential, mixed-use, and affordable housing sectors, I've delivered 3,250+ residential units, 5 million+ square feet, and approximately 650 hotel keys through disciplined execution and long-term value creation.

With a background in Business Finance and Economics from Charleston Southern University, I entered the real estate industry without formal training, learning through direct hands-on project execution. My first project, a blighted multi-story row home in Washington, DC requiring rezoning and full redevelopment, shaped my commitment to preparation, patience, and accountability.

Petra Development's portfolio spans historic luxury renovations in Georgetown, Kalorama, and Capitol Hill to large-scale transit-oriented developments like National View (1.4M SF, $720M investment) and zero-energy smart buildings like Petra Park in Frisco, Texas (1.4M SF mixed-use). Through the acquisition of Blueprint Robotics, I operate the largest industrial building constructed entirely of mass timber in North America, applying robotics and industrialized construction methods to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability in multifamily housing.

My development philosophy centers on integrity, transparency, and accountability. I approach sustainability as a performance standard, integrating energy efficiency, lifecycle cost analysis, and durable building methods into every project. My work demonstrates that quality, sustainability, and affordability can coexist, and that well-executed developments serve people and communities for generations.