Sunbelt Developers

Chris Eachus has spent over two decades rising through the ranks at CP Group — from analyst to partner — and is now leading one of the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects in Atlanta's history: the transformation of CNN Center into The Center, a mixed-use destination anchored by an 11-concept food hall, the largest bar in Georgia, Michelin-starred chefs, World Cup activations, and a renewed...

David Marvin has played a major role in shaping downtown Atlanta through projects like the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Park, the Glenn Hotel, Ventanas, and Restaurant Row.  Along the way, he transformed a career that started in engineering and construction into one of the most influential hospitality and mixed-use development careers in Atlanta. In this episode we cover: • Building nuclea...

Egbert Perry is the Chairman and CEO of Integral Group. He’s behind some of the most consequential urban developments in the Southeast — from Centennial Place to Assembly Atlanta to the redevelopment of Five Points and Atlanta Medical Center. He also pioneered the model for affordable housing. In this episode we cover: Growing up in Antigua Coming to America at 15 Becoming VP at HJ Russel & Co...

Kevin Duvall has spent over two decades shaping one of the most important campuses in the Southeast. As CEO of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, he oversees 200+ acres, 4.3 million square feet, and a pipeline of projects that are redefining downtown Atlanta. We cover: • Building the $550M Signia hotel from a state-owned parking plaza • The Georgia Dome demolition and Mercedes-Benz Stadi...

Pope & Land has been transformational in the Cumberland submarket of Atlanta. From office to mixed-use to transforming a dead coliseum into City Park, Mason shares the story behind some of the most consequential development projects in Georgia. We cover: • Partnering with the Atlanta Braves on the Battery • Converting the Charlotte Coliseum into a mixed-use community • Navigating the Great Rec...

Another episode is out now on the Sunbelt Developers Podcast with Matt Bronfman, CEO of Jamestown. From Ponce City Market to Chelsea Market, Matt shares the thinking behind some of the most iconic mixed-use developments in the country. We cover: -Negotiating with Google -The story behind Ironworks -Navigating zoning -The impact of AI on real estate -Matt’s journey to leading Jamestown Watch the fu...

Travis Garland is the Chief Development Officer of Portman Holdings. Portman is a legendary company and their real estate industry was founded by the visionary architect John Portman. Travis has been involved in pivotal projects like CODA, Amsterdam Walk and Spring Quarter. In this episode we cover Travis's journey from navigating a brutal brokerage market after the dot-com bust to leading ma...

In this episode, Herbert Ames, Managing Director at EDENS shares the story behind Lulah Hills, the major mixed-use redevelopment of the former North DeKalb Mall site on Atlanta’s east side. We discuss his background and the projects that shaped his career, including major retail developments on Atlanta’s west side. A big focus of the conversation is how Lulah Hills came together. Herbert explains...

Jerry Cooper is a living piece of Atlanta’s architectural history. In this episode, the founder of Cooper Carry reflects on nearly a century of life and design — from his early years at Georgia Tech and a formative Fulbright scholarship in Rome, to helping shape some of Atlanta’s most influential buildings and developments. We talk about Atlanta’s transformation in the late 1950s and ’60s, the ris...

FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST - RYAN WOODS FROM BECK GROUP ** Atlanta has hosted Super Bowls, Final Fours, and College Football Playoff Championships—but the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be on a completely different scale. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Corso, President of the Atlanta Sports Council, to break down how Atlanta is preparing to host the world. Also joining the conversation is Ryan Woods,...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Ahrenkiel, a longtime leader in Atlanta’s commercial real estate scene. We talk about his time at Tishman Speyer, navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and developing major projects like Two and Three Alliance. Chris also shares how those experiences shaped his career and his perspective on delivering large-scale office projects in a changing market. Today, h...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Toro to talk about his career in real estate development, from early projects like Camp Creek Marketplace and Atlantic Station to shaping Midtown Atlanta. We discuss how he approaches creating vibrant, inviting mixed-use spaces and why density, community, and activation are key to success. We also dive into the upcoming Medley in Johns Creek — a mixed-use deve...

In this episode, I sit down with William Pate, the longtime leader of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and a major force behind Atlanta’s tourism boom. We get into how Atlanta became a top destination for conventions and major events, the impact of the Olympics and Super Bowls, and what the World Cup could mean for the city. We also talk about the future of downtown — more residential, r...

I sat down with Ryan Howard of CP Group to talk about their work on some of Atlanta’s most iconic properties, including The Center (former CNN Center), Bank of America Plaza, and Piedmont Center. We discuss the challenges of renovating these historic buildings, the plans to bring new life to downtown Atlanta, and how CP Group is balancing the history of these spaces with creating vibrant, modern e...

I sat down with Jon Birdsong, CEO of Atlanta Ventures, to talk about the vision behind South Downtown — one of the city’s biggest redevelopment projects. We cover the history of the area, what’s happening now with tech companies and new developments, and how ventures like the World Cup, improved transportation, and AI could impact downtown Atlanta’s future. We also talk about why preserving histor...

David Allman is the Founder and Chairman of Regent Partners, a prominent Atlanta-based real estate investment and development firm. With over four decades of experience, David and his team shaped Atlanta’s urban landscape through iconic projects such as the Sovereign tower in Buckhead, the King and Queen buildings within the Concourse complex, and a portfolio valued at over $3 billion. More info:...

David Songy, co-founder of Songy Highroads has over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate development. David has driven the acquisition and development of over 5 million square feet of office, hotel, and multifamily projects, with investments exceeding $2 billion. His strategic focus on urban-infill opportunities and innovative approach have made Songy Highroads a market leader in insti...

Brian McGowan is the President of Centennial Yards Company, a CIM Group affiliate, where he leads the $5 billion redevelopment of Atlanta's historic Gulch-a 50-acre site transforming into a mixed-use district with 8 million square feet of residential, office, retail, entertainment, and hospitality spaces. Born in the Bronx and raised in New Jersey, he was educated in California, earning a BA...

Jim Irwin, an Atlanta native, is the Founder and President of New City, a commercial real estate development firm he started in 2016, overseeing nearly $2 billion in investments nationwide. He led the transformation of Ponce City Market as Senior Vice President at Jamestown Properties, redeveloping a 2.1 million square foot historic Sears facility into a major mixed-use destination. Currently, he&...

Jim Overton is a highly accomplished real estate developer based in Atlanta, Georgia, renowned for his contributions to major urban developments over a career spanning more than 50 years. Overton's professional journey began as President of Atlanta-based Hardin Construction Company, where he honed his expertise in large-scale projects before joining Cousins Properties in 1988. At Cousins Prop...