The family business began in 1953, when Commander Ralph J. Duffie returned to Washington, D.C. after serving in the Navy, and started building homes to meet the burgeoning demand. Through hard work, fair dealings and a strong dedication to the community, Ralph built a company based on trust and loyalty.

Following his father's example, Jonathan Duffie joined the business in the early 1960s after his own service in the Navy. Starting in construction, and working his way up to project manager and now president, Jon helped Ralph build the company by choosing projects carefully and concentrating on their core strengths. The third generation of Duffies, Jeremy, Jon and Justin, are now part of the firm as well, and are continuing to build upon their grandfather's legacy. Today, Duffie is a multifaceted development company involved in residential and commercial real estate development, management and brokerage. They take great pride in their projects and people, which is evidenced by the longevity of their employees and professional relationships, many spanning many decades.