Founded in 1985 by Donna Galvin and Sean McCloskey, the Penn Group originally specialized in the restoration and adaptive re-use of historic buildings. The firm soon expanded to include the acquisition, redevelopment and management of apartment buildings in the downtown Philadelphia market with a concentration in University City. Early adopters of green building practices, the firm integrated the design challenges of modernizing historic structures with best environmental practices to create healthy, dynamic spaces. In 1993, Penn Real Estate Group began to construct ground-up projects with a focus on commercial development. The firm’s expertise grew to encompass all phases of project development – taking projects from conception to completion. Completed projects include: shopping centers, hotels, mixed-use developments, theaters, office buildings, big box retail, apartment buildings, athletic facilities, infrastructure projects and public amenities.