Company Overview

Cousins Properties Incorporated is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, develops, acquires, and manages Class A office properties. The company operates within the commercial real estate industry, with a strategic focus on high-quality office buildings in growth-oriented urban submarkets. Its revenues are predominantly generated through long-term office leasing arrangements with corporate, professional services, and institutional tenants.

The company is positioned as a pure-play Sun Belt office REIT, emphasizing markets with favorable population growth, employment expansion, and business relocation trends. Cousins Properties was founded in 1958 by Tom Cousins, initially as a diversified real estate development company. Over time, it evolved into a publicly traded REIT and progressively streamlined its portfolio, exiting non-core property types and non-strategic markets to concentrate on Class A office assets in select high-growth regions.

Business Operations

Cousins Properties operates through a single reportable segment focused on Office Properties, which encompasses the ownership, leasing, development, and management of office buildings. The company generates revenue primarily from rental income, tenant reimbursements for operating expenses, and parking income. Its portfolio largely consists of modern, amenity-rich buildings designed to attract creditworthy tenants seeking collaborative and centrally located work environments.

Operationally, the company maintains fully integrated internal capabilities, including leasing, property management, asset management, and development. Cousins Properties conducts both domestic operations and selective development activities, with no material international real estate operations. The company has historically utilized joint ventures on a limited basis for specific development or investment projects, though the majority of assets are wholly owned.

Strategic Position & Investments

The company’s strategic direction centers on capital allocation discipline, balance sheet strength, and portfolio concentration in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Growth initiatives include selective acquisitions of stabilized Class A office properties, redevelopment of existing assets, and ground-up development in proven submarkets. Cousins Properties has also pursued asset recycling by disposing of non-core or lower-growth properties to fund investments aligned with its long-term strategy.

Notable investments have included acquisitions of trophy office assets and development projects in core urban districts. The company has exited other property sectors over time, reinforcing its identity as a focused office REIT. Cousins Properties has emphasized sustainability, building quality, and tenant experience as competitive differentiators, while monitoring evolving workplace trends that influence demand for premium office space.

Geographic Footprint

Cousins Properties’ operations are concentrated in the Sun Belt region of the United States, with a presence in major metropolitan markets including Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Phoenix, Tampa, Orlando, and Nashville. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, which also represents its largest market by asset concentration.

The portfolio spans multiple high-growth urban and suburban submarkets characterized by strong demographic inflows and diversified local economies. While the company does not maintain international properties, its geographic strategy provides exposure to U.S. markets that benefit from corporate relocations, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic expansion.

Leadership & Governance

Cousins Properties is led by an experienced executive team with deep expertise in real estate investment, development, and capital markets. Leadership emphasizes long-term value creation, conservative financial management, and disciplined execution aligned with shareholder interests. The company operates under a traditional REIT governance structure, overseen by an independent board of directors.

Key executives include:

• Colin Connolly – President and Chief Executive Officer
• David G. Smith – Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
• Hal E. McNamara – Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
• Kristen J. Blankenship – Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
• Josh Champion – Executive Vice President, Asset Management

The leadership team’s strategic vision focuses on maintaining a high-quality office portfolio, adapting to evolving tenant needs, and sustaining balance sheet flexibility through market cycles.