African-American architectural firm honored with new plaque in Downtown D.C.

In Downtown, a new plaque was unveiled at the Pepco Holdings headquarters at 701 Ninth Street NW.

This plaque is meant to honor Devrouax & Purnell, the first African-American architectural firm known in history to be selected to design a building in downtown Washington, D.C. The building was completed in 1998.

According to a press release, Devrouax & Purnell have also worked on other major projects in the District, including Nationals Park, the Washington Convention Center, and the headquarters of Freddie Mac and Crestar Bank.

Marshall Purnell, co-founder of Devrouax & Purnell, was the first African-American president of the American Institute of Architects and a past president of the National Organization of Minority Architects. He is also one of the most prominent African-American architects who have ever practiced in the city.

Photo courtesy of Devrouax & Purnell

• Devrouax & Purnell [Official Website]