Penn Cove Group (PCG) drives all business practices with the same goal: contributing to the community that allows it to thrive.
PCG has consistently sought to invest in Pittsburgh, a thriving and continually growing city that attracts new people, businesses, and organizations every year. As a company that is built on integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, PCG reflects Pittsburgh’s values and leads with a strategy designed to serve the community.
The PCG approach to real estate development goes beyond the goal of collecting revenue. Instead, PCG believes that investments are relationships, which in turn create a positive impact for the entire region. One way PCG has made this positive impact is through the development of commercial retail plazas that support and connect the community.
As the Pittsburgh region evolves, ensuring that people have spaces to genuinely connect is more important than ever. In an era when remote work and digital communication can leave us feeling disconnected, Pittsburgh stands in contrast—rooted in a rich tradition of bringing people together. The city’s identity has always been shaped by the merging of communities and cultures, creating the vibrant, diverse Pittsburgh we know today.
PCG’s efforts in community-focused development help further the sense of connection and belonging in the region. By creating retail plazas that bring diverse businesses together in one convenient location, residents gain access to safe, welcoming spaces where they can dine, work, exercise, and gather. These spaces don’t just offer everyday convenience — they foster collaboration, spark connections, and sustain the social fabric that makes Pittsburgh feel like home.
Rebuilding and Revitalizing the Community
While commercial retail plaza development often involves building new spaces in the community, PCG takes a different approach. Instead, PCG utilizes existing, abandoned, or unused spaces throughout Pittsburgh and transforms them into welcoming hubs for community connection.
At PCG, we view commercial real estate as an opportunity to create positive change in Pittsburgh and for its community members. To achieve this ambitious goal, we partner with a vast network of local partners and advisors who share our conviction in the transformative power of real estate. When we invest in a new real estate project, we put the community at the forefront, ensuring that what we build enhances the existing community. From Pittsburgh’s suburbs to the greater Western Pennsylvania region, we’re shaping a new future for real estate—one that redefines investment as a tool for meaningful, lasting economic impact.
Our commitment to reimagining existing spaces and businesses shapes our distinctive approach to commercial retail development. Rather than building from scratch, we focus on reusing and revitalizing underutilized infrastructure—transforming overlooked properties into vibrant community assets. While a project may begin with the introduction of a national restaurant or retailer, it often paves the way for deeper local impact—creating space for neighborhood organizations, small businesses, and meaningful community engagement.
One Vision Creates Endless Opportunities
One of PCG’s first ventures into land repurposing was the Cool Springs renovation. In 2013, PCG’s founder, the late Brian Shanahan, approached the project with the intention of recreating the space that made his childhood special. As a sports enthusiast and lifelong Pittsburgher, revitalizing Cool Springs meant more to Shanahan than reopening a long-forgotten facility. It was about reviving a sense of nostalgia and creating a space where the next generation of Pittsburghers could build lasting memories of their own.
The first phase of the Cool Springs redevelopment project opened in 2014, with continued expansion in the years that followed. The Cool Springs retail plaza seamlessly blends convenience and community, offering access to local restaurants and shops, making it an ideal destination for tenants living in the Luxury Living residence on the Cool Springs campus. Beyond providing easy access to dining and retail, the retail plaza fosters a welcoming atmosphere that encourages residents to gather and build a sense of community.
The Cool Springs redevelopment project —notably the addition of the retail plaza—revived a sense of community in a part of the region that had once seemed to have lost that opportunity. This development marked the beginning of a new chapter for PCG, launching a legacy of community-focused development. The success of this project has propelled us to redevelop more than 150 acres and approximately 500,000 square feet of previously unused or long-neglected land. Through each project, PCG reimagines what Pittsburgh can offer its community, proving that thoughtful real estate development has the power to reshape how communities live, interact, and thrive.
Doing Business Differently
PCG’s real estate development strategy aims to breathe new life into underutilized land or neglected buildings in underdeveloped areas of the region, prioritizing economic development and smarter land use for our organization. Our projects are more than business ventures; they’re impact-driven investments that foster community growth and enhance regional development.
One of PCG’s core tenets is investing with integrity. This means taking the necessary steps to ensure that all of our investments are safe and beneficial to the community. With every new retail plaza, we invest in traffic and safety assessments to make sure our developments enhance, rather than burden, the surrounding infrastructure. Traffic patterns, parking ease, and pedestrian access are intentionally designed for long-term success while providing benefits to the communities they surround.
Such was the case when PCG acquired 105 VIP Drive in Wexford — a 7,518-square-foot building that was once a King’s Family Restaurant, a beloved Pittsburgh institution. PCG transformed the space into a multi-tenant retail center that opened in 2018. Conveniently located near an exit on 1-79 and close to public transportation options, the site is perfectly positioned to support a variety of businesses. Today, the building houses a Starbucks drive-through and outdoor seating at Thorn Hill Tap House, a local restaurant. These local brands reflect the community spirit, while national eateries and shops offer a sense of familiarity, ensuring Pittsburgh remains in company with other mid-sized cities across the U.S.
PCG’s tenant selection is no accident; our careful approach ensures a healthy mix of local and national retailers, allowing the community to access the establishments they know and love, alongside the opportunity to discover new favorites. Native and longtime Pittsburghers connect with the authentic nature only local establishments bring, while our region’s visitors can see what makes Pittsburgh special. Ultimately, our goal is to meet the needs of every member of our neighborhoods. Whether brand-new to the region or born and raised in Pittsburgh, our community members deserve access to spaces that foster connections and reflect the spirit of our region.
An Innovative Region Continues to Thrive
As Pittsburgh continues to rise as a leader across industries and innovation, it’s key that PCG maintains the values that have long shaped this region. From the beginning, shared experiences and strong community have been at the heart of the Pittsburgh region. Although this may look different in the twenty-first century, they matter all the same. PCG’s retail plazas create more than shopping opportunities. They create shared spaces where people can naturally gather.
One of PCG’s newest retail development projects, 3049 Washington Pike, embodies this goal. Opened in 2025, this Bridgeville retail plaza reflects PCG’s commitment to investing in properties that drive long-term value and strengthen the heart of the community. Built in a growing neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s South Hills, the plaza offers easy access for local and regional traffic, as it’s located immediately off the 1-79 Bridgeville exit. By contributing to more spaces like 3049 Washington Pike, PCG drives Pittsburgh’s progression.
As we continue to seek new retail plaza development opportunities, we aim to provide more community members with access to our existing spaces. We encourage readers to check out our facilities with their families or friends to meet their neighbors and say hello to other local Pittsburghers. We also encourage developers to inquire about new opportunities so we can help you succeed in the region. To learn more about our development work and view our upcoming projects, visit our real estate webpage.