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West Erie Plaza
Client: VCG Properties
Location: Pittsburgh Avenue, between West 8th and 12th streets in Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building — 1950s; Renovation complete — 2019
Size: 24.24 acres; More than 120,000 SF
Original construction of the West Erie Plaza was completed in 1950. The earliest tenants included a hardware store, a movie theater, a five-and-dime store, and a grocery store. The plaza thrived for several decades. By the early 2000s, much of the retail space was left empty and the theater had closed. VGC Properties, LLC, purchased the property in 2012 and began to implement a new master plan for reimaging the dated, vacant strip plaza into a destination shopping experience. The inclusion of a courtyard in the central section of the plaza creates a welcoming meeting place for shoppers. The property was also updated with a new roof, updated facades, sidewalks, improved parking, and welcoming benches and trees. The site lighting design highlights the new arched sign over the courtyard, as well as improved lighting in pedestrian and parking areas. The result is a thriving plaza with high-end retail storefronts, a local restaurant offering a fine dining experience, and a popular gym that keeps the site active 24/7.