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Meet Philip LaPlante
Biography
Philip La Plante
Professional Summary
Philip La Plante is a Newport Beach–based developer, investor, and consultant with more than 30 years of experience and over $1 billion in successfully completed projects spanning residential, multifamily, retail, hospitality, office, and mixed-use developments throughout Southern California. His expertise encompasses every stage of the development process, including site acquisition, planning and design, financing, entitlements, construction, marketing, management, and disposition.
His Story
Philip is a native of Newport Beach and grew up on Balboa Island, where his passion for real estate and community development first began. As a teenager, he watched his hometown evolve from modest neighborhoods and agricultural land into thriving master-planned communities featuring open parks, residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and thoughtfully designed urban environments. Witnessing an entire region transform through innovative architecture and urban planning inspired a lifelong fascination with development.
His talent for design emerged early. While in high school, Philip won Orange County’s most prestigious architectural design competitions, earning an internship opportunity and The Irvine Company Scholarship for Urban Design and Environmental Planning. He later attended the University of Southern California, studying both Architecture and Business Administration, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.
A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), Philip lived and worked in Paris and Milan following graduation and traveled extensively throughout Europe. These experiences played a significant role in shaping his perspective on architecture, urban planning, and development. His exposure to historic cities and iconic architectural landmarks fostered a deep appreciation for timeless design, thoughtful planning, and the lasting impact that well-designed buildings can have on communities.
Drawing inspiration from both historic and contemporary architecture, Philip has built a career focused on creating projects that combine functionality, aesthetic excellence, and long-term value. His vision and leadership continue to guide Pacific Coast Investments in delivering exceptional developments that enhance the communities they serve.
After nearly a decade with a regional development company, Philip founded Pacific Coast Investments more than 25 years ago. Throughout his career, he has led the successful development of a diverse portfolio of projects valued at more than $1 billion.
Notable projects include Trabuco Marketplace, an award-winning market-anchored shopping center in South Orange County; Monarch Beach Plaza, an upscale mixed-use neighborhood shopping center in Dana Point; Bear Brand Ranch, a 1,500-acre master-planned community featuring custom estates, residential neighborhoods, multifamily housing, and commercial development in Laguna Niguel; and Carson-91 Center, a mixed-use retail, restaurant, and hotel development in Carson. His portfolio also includes shopping centers, office buildings, custom lot developments, merchant-builder communities, multifamily projects, hotels, and mixed-use developments throughout Southern California.
Outside of his professional journey, Phillip has also had a deep personal connection to surfing. He was a founding member of the USC Surf team during his college years, an experience that played an important role in shaping his character, discipline, and outlook on life.
