PRESS RELEASE 

For Immediate Release

Date: September 23, 2026

Contact:

Tim Hindes

412-480-3614

tim@trailblazecreative.com

Beacon Communities Celebrates Progress Across Three Landmark Pittsburgh Developments

Advancing Affordable Housing and Historic Preservation in the Heart of Downtown Pittsburgh

Downloadable high-resolution photos and videos are available here.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Beacon Communities today celebrated major progress across three landmark developments in Downtown Pittsburgh: 120 Cecil Place, Tessera (formerly known as 901–903 Liberty Avenue) and the May Building at 111 Fifth Ave. All three historic properties are actively under construction, marking critical milestones in their transformation into high-quality, affordable residential communities.

Together, these projects reflect Beacon Communities’ deep commitment to revitalizing Pittsburgh’s urban core. By pairing historic adaptive reuse and preservation with high-impact affordable housing, Beacon is expanding access to well-designed homes where individuals and families can thrive.

“Our work in Pittsburgh is grounded in our belief that everyone deserves a high-quality home in a vibrant, connected neighborhood,” said Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities. “By preserving the rich architectural history of these buildings and expanding affordable housing options, we create a stronger, more inclusive community. We are incredibly proud of the progress that our team and partners have made on these three transformative developments, and we are grateful for the support from the Shapiro Administration, the City of Pittsburgh, and the Housing Authority to bring these redevelopments to life.”

“This is a big investment in our shared vision for the future of Downtown by transforming our historic buildings into housing opportunities for residents and families,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “Through these investments and partnerships, we are contributing to the energy, sustainability and vibrancy of this community.”

“True regional progress is measured by how our communities grow together across municipal boundaries,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “The progress on these developments is creating lasting momentum that benefits our entire county. Partnerships like these prove that when we align our vision for sustainable growth and community needs, we build a stronger, more resilient region for everyone.”

Originally dating back to the early 1900s, 120 Cecil Place is a decommissioned steam plant featuring two connected industrial structures undergoing full rehabilitation into a 13-story redevelopment with 97 high-quality, affordable apartments while respecting historic character and modernizing the exterior and building systems. In partnership with Pittsburgh Scholar House, 49 homes will be reserved for single parents pursuing higher education.

Located in the heart of the Cultural District, Tessera (formerly known as 901–903 Liberty Avenue) is an adaptive reuse project transforming former 1800s commercial and manufacturing buildings into a 10-story building featuring 50 new residential apartments. The development will serve households earning between 20% and 80% of the Area Median Income. Construction began in January 2026 and the development is expected to welcome residents in 2027.

Originally built in 1908 as home to the May Drug Company, The May Building (111 Fifth Ave) is a 12-story landmark undergoing extensive rehabilitation on its 86 apartment homes. The redevelopment, which began in December 2025, will convert 66 of the units to income-restricted homes, feature complete rehabilitation of the exterior façade, building systems, and common spaces, interior improvements across all units and new energy-efficient windows, with completion set for 2027.

“Expanding access to safe, high-quality and affordable housing in the heart of Downtown is critical to ensuring our city remains accessible for everyone,” said Caster D. Binion, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. “Projects like these demonstrate how strategic housing investments empower single parents, working families and residents of all income levels to thrive in well-connected neighborhoods. HACP is especially proud to support the Pittsburgh Scholar House and its Wayfinders program. The program is a shining example of the collaborative efforts we value in supporting residents on their journeys to self-sufficiency and generational wealth.”

“The transformation of these three historic properties is a testament to what public-private collaboration can achieve for Downtown Pittsburgh’s growth,” said Susheela Nemani-Stanger, Executive Director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh. “These developments not only preserve our architectural history through adaptive reuse, but they also reactivate key economic corridors. Thank you to Beacon Communities for its partnership in the revitalization of Downtown.”

Together, these three projects represent Beacon Communities’ commitment to revitalizing Downtown Pittsburgh. By breathing new life into historic landmarks and expanding the availability of high-quality, affordable housing, Beacon is helping to build a more vibrant and inclusive urban core where residents can thrive.

Photo and video assets are available here.

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About Beacon Communities: Beacon Communities LLC is a privately owned real estate firm that develops, acquires, invests in, and manages a wide range of multi-family housing. Their portfolio includes affordable housing, market rate housing and mixed income-housing. Their developments range from new construction, to historic adaptive reuse, to the renovation of existing housing. They take on challenging developments and make them succeed. Their driving passion is to create well-designed, healthy homes that improve the quality of life of their residents and enhance the neighborhoods in which they are located. For more information about Beacon Communities LLC, please visit www.beaconcommunitiesllc.com.